bbcuk--2020-07-22--Coronavirus: How Joe Wicks' fitness workouts 'changed my life'

`` Before lockdown , I basically did no exercise , nothing whatsoever , '' says Vanessa Taylor , from Rochdale , Greater Manchester .
`` Now , I do it every day apart from Sunday . ''
The change has been Joe Wicks , she says - the fitness coach who 's become a household name for the free workouts he has live streamed every weekday during the coronavirus lockdown .
They were scaled back last month and now , after nearly four months , the workouts are set to end on Wednesday .
`` He 's changed so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vanessa , 45 , who started the workouts with her family .
The children quickly got fed up , but she continued and lost weight .
`` It 's absolutely brilliant .
From day one , I have just kept going . ''
Above all , Vanessa praises the mental health benefits , and says it has helped her after the death of her mum .
`` It 's something to focus on , '' she says .
`` I 'm gutted tomorrow is the last day .
When everything goes back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I feel physically and mentally better for it . ''
Wicks ' first workout began in late March , just hours before Boris Johnson went on to tell the UK it was entering lockdown .
Schools had already closed and the sessions were billed as `` PE with Joe '' .
The following day , his second video was watched by nearly one million people , breaking a world record .
`` It 's not just for the kids , '' says Irene Santineer , 54 , from Maidstone , Kent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of ways . ''
Irene missed the first week of workouts - but was inspired by her twin Angela , who lives hundreds of miles away in Crieff , in Perth and Kinross .
`` She 's been doing it from day one , '' says Irene .
`` It 's been a fantastic way for us to stay accountable to each other and re-measure our fitness .
And there 's a little bit of a competition going on . ''
Irene does the workouts in the morning - often at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school .
`` It makes me feel so good , '' she says .
`` I do n't always want to do it .
It just gives me an energy boost and endorphins .
`` He 's got such an infectious personality that comes out in it . ''
The feel-good factor is also the main benefit for her , she says - but she is also fitter .
`` I can see the difference .
I 'm stronger , I can walk up a hill and not get out of breath , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my fitness levels are . ''
Wicks ' fans are devoted : he says he 's received piles of letters and there have been repeated calls for him to be knighted or be made the BBC 's next Sports Personality of the Year .
And although the workouts were aimed at children while they were not able to go to school during lockdown , the workouts have been done by people of all ages .
At Longmoor Lodge Care Home in Nottingham , 79-year-old resident John was filmed taking part .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home manager Barbara Parkinson says .
`` He just stood up and he even kind of took the lead . ''
Joe Wicks ' workout was put on in the home 's newly-installed smart TV - attracting the attention of the staff and the residents .
`` They do the chair-based exercises but they can be quite boring , so having something different and the staff taking part ...
Suddenly the frailest of people that you see are doing these exercises .
It was just fantastic .
It did their well-being a world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Primary School near Southampton is just one of the many schools that have used Wicks ' workouts during the lockdown .
`` It 's brilliant , '' says Year One teacher Faye Hill .
`` Some of them are doing full press ups .
I think it 's good for stamina , focus and it 's brought a sense of fun into the classroom .
It 's made the transition into full-time easier . ''
Kerry Finley , 41 , from Manchester says the daily videos helped her manage her anxiety during lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't want to get out of bed , at nine o'clock I have to get downstairs .
It motivates me to start the day . ''
Although her children no longer take part in the full workouts , they still look out for their favourite moves and the non-physical parts .
`` It 's nice as it gives us something you can all do and all access .
It does n't discriminate .
You can do as much or as little as you like . ''
Wicks ' daily workouts - along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been mentioned repeatedly to researcher Dr Victoria Goodyear , who has been carrying out a national survey about how the lockdown has influenced young people 's activity and wellbeing .
`` The main thing is it 's accessible , it 's free , it 's in short bite-size chunks , '' says Dr Goodyear , from the University of Birmingham , explaining why videos such as Wicks ' have become so popular .
`` It builds a sense of community , people would say 'it 's like we 're in this together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS clapping or Captain Tom Moore . ''
She adds Wicks ' videos are very polished , but also portray his personality .
`` Because of that warmness , it reduced feelings of isolation , and he provided a personal touch that was engaging .
`` It also prompted people who were inactive before to take part , and for some of those who are already active , to try a different type of activity . ''
• What your gym could look like when it reopens Wicks has been dubbed the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting so many people into high-intensity interval training , a type of cardio exercise that focuses on short bursts of intense activity .
But some academics from the University of Loughborough are concerned that physical education is different to physical activity and people should n't think a high-profile fitness trainer could replace a PE teacher .
`` Whilst Joe Wicks was brilliant in getting young people into physical activity at the time of lockdown , that can be a great thing and great in terms of mental health .
But we do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Julie Stirrup .
`` We do n't want people to see PE as just watching Joe Wicks , '' she says .
`` PE is much more . ''
She says PE develops broad skills and competence .
Many of Wicks ' fans are simply grateful for his sessions .
`` I just think if he 's reading the article , it 's just a big thank you to what he 's done , '' says Kerry .
`` He 's done it for months and months and he did n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the lockdown . ''

Although her children no longer take part in the full workouts, they still look out for their favourite moves and the non-physical parts. "It's nice as it gives us something you can all do and all access. It doesn't discriminate. You can do as much or as little as you like."


bbcuk--2020-07-21--Coronavirus: What jobs are available post-lockdown?

Covid-19 has had an impact on nearly all aspects of life , including people 's work .
The world of work is changing - and some sectors appear to be in a much stronger position than others .
According to the latest jobs market report from employment website CV-Library , the number of job vacancies in the UK fell by 62.7 % in the second quarter of 2020 .
And for those jobs that are being advertised , competition is stiff , with the average application-to-job ratio rising by 84 % .
• How the financial shockwave is affecting jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of snapshots trying to predict - by looking at online job vacancies - where workplace opportunities might be increasing or shrinking .
So , with more people battling it out for jobs , which industries are actually hiring staff ?
And which face a more uncertain future ?
From software engineers to web developers , to online security specialists , this sector is expanding .
Digital skills are required in all industries , from e-commerce to automating processes in factories .
`` It is encouraging that we are seeing indications of growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which will be critical for many firms as they adapt to meet the challenges of a changed market , '' says Neil Carberry , chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation ( REC ) , which monitors the number of active job postings in the UK .
But a word of caution , there is also lots of competition in the sector as Alison 's story here demonstrates .
Since the start of lockdown in March , we have all been shopping a lot more online , and that has seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sector .
Online giant Amazon has created 15,000 new full and part-time warehouse and delivery driver jobs across the UK in goods fulfilment centres , where orders are processed , and in its logistics network .
Verity Stephens is a member of the Team GB judo squad and an instructor in the sport but saw her job evaporate in lockdown .
`` I run extra-curricular judo programmes in schools across Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire - teaching about 250 children a week , '' she says .
`` I literally went from having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
She now helps process goods entering Amazon 's warehouse and order centre at Coalville , Leicestershire .
Meanwhile , delivery company Hermes is creating 10,500 jobs , as it looks to hire 1,500 full-time staff across its delivery network and head office , and 9,000 freelance couriers .
With pubs and restaurants having been closed during lockdown we have all been eating at home an awful lot more .
And increased demand for groceries has seen `` a knock-on in jobs demand '' , says Richard Lim , chief executive of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supermarkets have taken on more than 50,000 workers during the coronavirus outbreak , and while many have been temporary posts , full-time jobs have been created too .
`` The increase in food retail jobs has been in three different areas : in-store - doing things like replenishing shelves , in online order processing in the huge new warehouses that have sprung up , and in logistics taking food deliveries to customers ' doors , '' says Mr Lim .
Large goods vehicle ( LGV ) drivers are in demand , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work sector dovetails with many of those mentioned above .
( Under UK and European law , the LGV driving licence and HGV licence are the same licence . )
Whether it is taking stock to an Amazon warehouse to be shelved and then put into customer orders , or taking extra deliveries to individual supermarkets , goods are being moved by road .
According to the REC , those who can build vehicles and repair them are also being sought by employers .
The demand comes against a backdrop of warnings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there is an acute shortage of drivers .
Last winter , trade body the FTA warned there was a shortage of 59,000 drivers in the country .
Domestic cleaners were hit hard with the imposition of lockdown in March , being prevented from visiting clients ' homes .
That caused problems for small firms such as this one run by Louise and Liam Parkinson .
But with restrictions easing , the last month has been `` a bit of a whirlwind '' , says Liam .
`` The phone 's not stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen is people ringing up wanting to book us because we 're a small family-run business and they want to support local businesses .
We 've had quite a few new customers and have had to employ someone . ''
As well as a rise in demand for domestic cleaners , businesses are also hiring again , with recruitment website Indeed now showing more than 10,000 cleaning roles .
Recent vacancies listed have included jobs for supermarkets Aldi , Lidl and Iceland , businesses such as Wetherspoons and Ladbrokes , and for places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to trade body the British Cleaning Council there has been an increase in demand for cleaners in all sectors of the economy , but particularly in the healthcare and hospital sector as the public wants to see visible signs of cleaning .
Anyone paying attention to the news in recent months could not have failed to notice the deluge of High Street retailers announcing job cuts since March .
Boots , Burberry , Cath Kidston , Clark 's , Dixons Carphone , Harrods , John Lewis Partnership , Monsoon , Oasis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Topshop , Very , Wickes and Zara have all said jobs were to be lost or at risk .
This week Ted Baker and Marks & Spencer joined that list with hundreds more jobs at risk .
`` The general picture around retail jobs is the difference between food and non-food jobs , '' says Richard Lim of Retail Economics .
`` While food retailing has flourished , the non-food sector is in crisis mode as sales and jobs have been obliterated . ''
• UK businesses cut more than 12,000 jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of the sectors that saw job advertisements contract in mid-July was that of `` publicans and managers of licensed premises '' .
One London publican who spoke to the BBC , but asked not to be named , said : `` Coronavirus is a big issue .
A lot of pubs are still shut and a lot of publicans are in limbo because of the furlough scheme , so there is no need to advertise for vacancies as there actually wo n't be many . ''
He added : `` Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make money in this job , and the hours are very long too , so it might not appear very enticing to those looking for a less-demanding type of work . ''
Meanwhile , independent eating and drinking outlets , such as this one in the north west of England , say they have been forced to scale back their businesses due to the coronavirus outbreak .
• The pubs choosing not to reopen One sector hit hard by coronavirus has been the UK events sector , that is those firms who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conferences .
Such gatherings are still not allowed .
Companies such as this one have seen their existence , and staff jobs , threatened by the coronavirus shutdown .
Some 70 % of 1,100 trade shows and exhibitions due to run this year have been cancelled , says trade body the Events Industry Alliance .
And it warns that could put at risk a quarter of jobs in the sector , some 30,000 posts .
Large gatherings such as the Southampton International Boat Show , originally scheduled for September , have been cancelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know whether the event would even be allowed by then .
Beauty salons are to fully reopen on 1 August , but the British Beauty Council has warned lockdown has been a struggle for the sector , which employs about 200,000 people .
Council boss Millie Kendall told the BBC : `` Starting with the beginning of lockdown , and the applications for grants and loans , and furlough , it has been very challenging for the industry .
`` We are probably looking at 11 % redundancies across the board in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ microbusinesses more than some of the bigger corporations . ''
The travel industry has been brought to its knees during the pandemic , with much international travel banned .
Even with flying restrictions easing , some countries including the UK have introduced quarantine measures for people returning from certain destinations .
Back in April , British Airways announced 12,000 possible job cuts from its 42,000-strong workforce , with both cabin crew and pilots affected .
Easyjet is also cutting 1,300 cabin crew and 727 pilots , while Virgin Atlantic is cutting 3,500 staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take temporary pay cuts in order to keep their jobs .
The future for the industry remains unclear , with IAG , the parent company of British Airways , warning it could take `` several years '' for air travel to return to 2019 levels .

One London publican who spoke to the BBC, but asked not to be named, said: "Coronavirus is a big issue. A lot of pubs are still shut and a lot of publicans are in limbo because of the furlough scheme, so there is no need to advertise for vacancies as there actually won't be many."


bbcuk--2020-07-22--How deep are Britain and China's economic ties?

The economic relationship between the UK and China has grown significantly over the past two decades .
In 1999 , China was the UK 's 26th biggest export market .
It now sits in sixth place .
Trade between the two countries hit a record high last year , with large infrastructure projects and education playing major roles .
But as tensions rise between London and Beijing - following the UK government 's U-turn on using Huawei telecoms 5G equipment in the country 's networks - the ties that have benefited both nations may now be under threat .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth largest export market , worth £30.7bn , according to the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) .
This was a record high , up from £23.4bn in 2018 , and the fourth year-on-year increase in a row .
In the other direction , China was the UK 's fourth largest source of imports , worth £49bn , also a record high .
Leslie Young , Professor of Economics at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in Beijing , told the BBC that in his view trade between the two countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London-Beijing tensions .
`` The rising hostility between the UK and China is unlikely to have a strong effect on the leading components of their trade .
The major effect is likely to be on UK higher education and the role of the UK as a hub for Chinese companies . ''
China also plays an increasingly important role in the UK 's infrastructure , including its nuclear power capabilities .
China General Nuclear Power ( CGN ) is partly financing the building of the £20bn Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an option to buy 20 % of another planned plant , at Sizewell in Suffolk , and a majority stake in an entity looking into several more nuclear power projects .
China 's state-run sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corporation ( CIC ) has an 8.7 % stake in Thames Water , along with a 10 % stake in the firm that owns London 's Heathrow Airport .
China also has a stake in the UK 's North Sea oil production via the China National Offshore Oil Corporation ( CNOOC ) .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has more than trebled since 2006 , according to the National Institute of Economics and Social Research ( NIESR ) .
Tuition fees from Chinese students add up to at least £1.7bn a year across universities and independent schools .
Experts have warned that UK universities will struggle financially if China imposes a ban on its students coming to Britain .
`` As Chinese students account for the largest body of foreign students , the financial impact would be large '' , said a spokesman for Shanghai-based market intelligence firm Emerging Strategy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs or find new ways to generate revenue . ''
But the British Council has downplayed fears of a mass exodus of Chinese students .
`` Long-term planning to study abroad is unlikely to be affected by short-term political relations .
The UK has always been one of the top destinations for Chinese students , '' a spokesman told the BBC .
China has been active in many high-profile acquisitions in the UK , resulting in billions of pounds flowing into Britain .
In March , British Steel was taken over by China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to save more than 3,000 jobs .
The Chinese firm said it would invest more than £1bn to help modernise the steelworks .
Other notable takeovers include black cab maker LTI , which was bought by Chinese carmaker Geely , and Wolverhampton Wanderers football club , which was taken over by Chinese conglomerate Fosun International .
Technology firm Huawei 's investment in the UK is a high-profile and a long-standing one , dating back to 2005 .
While Huawei will no longer be involved in the rollout of new 5G equipment , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While much of the talk has been around Huawei , it 's not the only technology company that the UK and China share links with .
China 's thirst for high tech UK companies saw it take over chipmaker Imagination Technologies in 2017 .
The vast majority of the cash for the purchase came from the Beijing-backed China Reform investment fund .
While most of the flow is money into the UK from Chinese companies and government-backed entities , there are some big UK firms doing business in China , a country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incomes .
Significant British companies are spread across sectors such as energy , car production , pharmaceuticals and financial services Last year , China 's ambassador to Germany threatened `` consequences '' for its carmakers if Huawei was blocked from Germany 's 5G networks , raising concerns that Beijing may use such tactics against other countries ' interests .
`` Chinese citizens are prompt to follow boycotts based on national interests dictated by the party , '' said a Shanghai-based spokesman for market intelligence firm Emerging Strategy .
But Steven Lynch , managing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China told the BBC that he was optimistic that such a situation could be avoided .
`` We hope that British automotive manufacturers who both import vehicles into China and manufacture locally will not be targeted for the UK government 's decision , '' he said .
The pro-business group warned that British telecoms and IT companies could also potentially be at risk .
But Mr Lynch added that the two countries should be able to `` sustain robust trade and investment in the coming months despite the challenging political environment '' @

"The rising hostility between the UK and China is unlikely to have a strong effect on the leading components of their trade. The major effect is likely to be on UK higher education and the role of the UK as a hub for Chinese companies."


bbcuk--2020-07-22--Coronavirus: How has lockdown affected smaller football clubs?

Lower league football clubs are more reliant on turnstile income than the bigger teams who also get sponsorship and TV @ @ @ @ @ games belling played during lockdown how they will survive after the coronavirus pandemic ?
BBC @ @ @ @ @ Leyton Orient for Politics Live , about the football club 's educational , volunteering , @ @ @ @ @ which could be under threat .

Lower league football clubs are more reliant on turnstile income than the bigger teams who also get sponsorship and TV rights.
But with no games belling played during lockdown how they will survive after the coronavirus pandemic?
BBC reporter Jack Fenwick spoke to Leyton Orient for Politics Live, about the football club's educational, volunteering, health and local history programmes which could be under threat.
UK viewers can watch the full programme for 30 days from transmission


bbcuk--2020-07-22--Newspaper headlines: 'Welcome to Londongrad' and Pompeo attacks WHO

Many of Wednesday 's papers focus on the release of a report into Russian interference in the UK .
The Guardian believes Boris Johnson is facing `` intense criticism '' because of the Intelligence and Security Committee 's conclusion that the risk of Russian interference in the 2016 EU referendum was not taken seriously enough .
In its leader column , the paper calls for a full public inquiry .
It is sceptical about the government 's insistence that there 's no evidence of successful meddling , asking : `` How would it know if no-one has looked ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister 's assurances at face value , with the front page headline : `` Boris : no way Russia rigged Brexit vote . ''
The paper says the report will come as a `` crushing disappointment for the die-hard Remainers '' , whom it says claimed the document would be the `` ultimate proof of their conspiracy theory , that the Kremlin rigged the 2016 vote '' .
The i paper is not as concerned as some of the other papers about the delay between the completion of the report , and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were important in October 2019 , '' it states , `` they matter all the more now '' .
This is because the UK is , in the paper 's words , `` a new foreign policy entity , post-Brexit , with a toughening approach to Beijing and in the midst of delicate trade talks with both the US and the EU '' .
Sign up for a morning briefing direct to your inbox HuffPost UK , meanwhile , says the report was played down so much before its publication `` it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard hitting than some expected '' .
The Financial Times hopes the findings will act as wake-up call for the government .
`` The report is a salutary warning of the challenge still posed by the main foe in the last one , '' its leader column says .
The paper believes new espionage laws are needed , and says the security services need the financial and legislative backing to combat the problem .
The front of the Times suggests such moves may be on the way .
`` MI5 to get more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader column suggests that the Official Secrets Act is `` outdated '' and should be overhauled .
On its front page , the Daily Telegraph reports on a claim it says was made by the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a private meeting with MPs .
It says Mr Pompeo alleged the World Health Organization 's response to the Covid-19 outbreak in China was hampered because its director-general , Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , had made a deal with Beijing in order to secure its role .
Meanwhile , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now working on the assumption that Britain and the European Union will fail to secure a post-Brexit trade deal .
It says that , with the current round of talks in deadlock , senior government sources believe the only chance of an agreement is `` if the EU gives ground in the autumn '' .
Finally , the Daily Mail reveals how a British artist is creating miniature versions of artistic masterpieces .
These include a replica of Johannes Vermeer 's Girl With A Pearl earring , four times the size of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Yorkshire , uses a microscope and a brush the size of a pin .
The Mail 's headline ?
`` Honey , she 's shrunk the Klimt !
`` .

The front of the Times suggests such moves may be on the way. "MI5 to get more powers" is the headline. Its leader column suggests that the Official Secrets Act is "outdated" and should be overhauled.


bbcuk--2020-07-22--Gorleston deaths: Bodies of man and woman found at flat

The bodies of a man and a woman have been found in a first-floor flat .
Emergency services were called @ @ @ @ @ Avenue in Gorleston-on-Sea , Norfolk , at about 19:30 BST on Tuesday .
Officers forced @ @ @ @ @ both of the bodies in one room .
The man and woman were pronounced dead @ @ @ @ @ Police said their deaths were being treated as unexplained .
A police presence remains at @ @ @ @ @ continues and flowers have been laid outside .
The force said officers attended after it @ @ @ @ @ for the safety of a person at the property .

Officers forced their way inside and discovered the pair who were believed to have been in their 30s and known to each other.


bbcuk--2020-07-22--Coronavirus: Irish government urges public to 'holiday at home'

The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs has said that while a `` green list '' of countries has been published it is still safest to `` holiday at home '' .
Simon Coveney said that 50,000 people a week were leaving the country .
Mr Coveney said he had an obligation to give guidance on `` the risk attached to that travel '' .
The Irish government previously released a list of 15 countries travellers can go to and not self-isolate on their return .
It currently excludes Great Britain and the US .
The list , which is reviewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Norway , Italy , Hungary , Estonia , Latvia , Lithuania , Cyprus , Slovakia , Greece , Greenland , Gibraltar , Monaco and San Marino .
The 15 countries have an infection rate of five per 100,000 population , or lower , over the last 14 days .
Ireland is currently at 4.9 .
The advice to avoid non-essential travel applies to all other countries .
This is based on advice from officials , including public health experts .
At present , travellers arriving in the Republic of Ireland from anywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-isolate and restrict their movements for 14 days .
In July the Stormont Executive agreed changes to its quarantine rules , meaning people arriving into NI from more than 50 countries no longer need to self-isolate on arrival .
'Safest thing is to stay at home' Speaking on RTÉ News Morning Ireland on Wednesday , Mr Coveney said the country was being cautious so as to prioritise protecting public health but accepted that there has been `` confusion '' over the issue .
`` The overall message from government is that the safest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , '' he said .
• Quarantine changes come into effect in NI • Where can I take a foreign holiday this summer ?
The minister dismissed the idea of quarantining people who arrive for 14 days in a designated facility .
He said that it was not `` doable '' and cited the example of Australia , where that system led to clusters in some quarantine locations such as hotels .
`` We have looked internationally at that model and it could cause more problems than it solves , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has worked - international travel is down dramatically , '' he added .
He said there had been no instances of the spread of the virus being introduced from any location on the green list .
He added that there are also concerns about `` hot spot '' regions and countries where the virus is at high levels or at risk of increasing in the coming months .
Mr Coveney said it would not take the form of a `` red list '' .
Rather this could involve a requirement to be tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also outlined that a call centre is being set up to make sure everyone who comes into Ireland gets a follow up call to ensure they are where they say they are and have good advice .
This will happen by 10 August .
There are plans for random testing at airports in the Republic of Ireland to be put in place for people coming from non-green list countries .
Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday afternoon , Taoiseach ( Irish PM ) Micheál Martin said he would take a `` cautious @ @ @ @ @ @

He also said a call centre is being set up to make sure everyone who comes into Ireland gets a follow up call to ensure they are where they say they are and have good advice.


bbcuk--2020-07-22--M4 relief road: £900,000 spent on two houses weeks before axe

Nearly £1m was spent by the Welsh Government buying two properties affected by the proposed route of the M4 relief road just two months before it scrapped the project .
Since 1995 more than £15m has been spent on the compulsory purchase of 29 properties affected by the scheme to relieve congestion around Newport .
The Welsh Government said many will be sold when market conditions are right .
The most recent purchases were houses in Coedkernew , south west of Newport , which cost £575,000 and £400,000 each and were bought by the Welsh Government in April 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the M4 ?
• Prime minister has 'no say ' on the M4 relief road • Is there One Direction for £1.4bn road ?
First Minister Mark Drakeford announced that the M4 relief road would not be built because of cost and environmental concerns on 4 June 2019 .
The Welsh Conservatives , who obtained the figures through the Freedom of Information ( FOI ) Act , said it suggested a `` shambolic decision-making process within the heart of the Welsh Government '' .
Russell George , the party 's economy spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government has , once again , expected the taxpayer to pick up the tab for the vast sums of money spent on a project it later sank . ''
In a FOI request seen by BBC Wales , the Welsh Government said : `` We are unable to tenant some properties due to their current condition , however where possible , these properties will be brought up to standard and advertised for rent this financial year . ''
Seven of the 29 properties bought over the last 25 years have been sold for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out so far .
Six of the 29 properties were purchased prior to devolution in 1999 .
Mr George said millions of pounds of taxpayers ' money has been `` frittered away , and worse still there is nothing to show for it '' .
A Welsh Government spokesman said `` Many of these are assets with value that will be disposed of when market conditions are right .
`` Land and buildings purchased before devolution would have been under the authority of the Wales Office as part of the UK government .
@

In response to a Welsh Conservative Freedom of Information request, the Welsh Government said: "We are unable to tenant some properties due to their current condition, however where possible, these properties will be brought up to standard and advertised for rent this financial year."


bbcuk--2020-07-23--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson says response shows 'might of UK union'

The response to the coronavirus pandemic has shown the `` sheer might '' of the UK union , Boris Johnson has said ahead of Thursday 's visit to Scotland .
The trip , a year on since he became PM , will see Mr Johnson meet members of the armed forces and their families .
He said troops had done `` vital work '' to support the NHS during the pandemic and praised Treasury job retention schemes .
But the SNP said the visit showed Mr Johnson was `` in a panic '' about rising support for Scottish independence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had no plans to meet Mr Johnson , but that she would continue work with his government on the `` immediate priority '' of tackling coronavirus .
• More than 700,000 Scots on furlough support • Islands to see £100m invested over 15 years Mr Johnson said he `` pledged to be a prime minister for every corner of the United Kingdom '' , adding that the response to the pandemic had shown his government 's commitment to the whole of the UK .
The UK government has coordinated much of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the coronavirus job retention furlough scheme .
But devolved governments have had control over most public health measures and have been able to set country-specific timetables and messaging .
Although the whole of the UK entered lockdown in the same week , each constituent part has eased restrictions in a different way and at a different rate .
Phase 3 of Scotland 's `` route map '' out of lockdown began last week , as pubs , restaurants , hairdressers and barbers were allowed to reopen .
They were allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July , along with holiday accommodation - including hotels , B & Bs , cottages , campsites and caravan parks .
Mr Johnson said ahead of his visit : `` The last six months have shown exactly why the historic and heartfelt bond that ties the four nations of our country together is so important and the sheer might of our union has been proven once again .
`` In Scotland , the UK 's magnificent armed forces have been on the ground doing vital work to support the NHS , from setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airlifting critically ill patients to hospitals from some of Scotland 's most remote communities .
`` And the UK Treasury stepped in to save the jobs of a third of Scotland 's entire workforce and kept the wolves at bay for tens of thousands of Scottish businesses .
`` More than ever , this shows what we can achieve when we stand together , as one United Kingdom . ''
The UK government said the furlough and self-employment schemes had supported 900,000 jobs in Scotland .
The PM is also to set out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orkney , Shetland and the Western Isles , the latest in a series of `` city and region deals '' which see the Scottish and UK governments each pledge cash to various areas for spending on new infrastructure and local development schemes .
The Scottish government is also committing £50m to the `` Islands growth deal '' , which will target sectors including tourism , energy and skills .
The timing of Mr Johnson 's visit comes amid a `` perfect storm '' over Scottish independence , according to Sir Tom Devine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edinburgh University .
Sir Tom told BBC Two 's Newsnight the union is in its most fragile condition since 1745 , and that opinion polling suggesting increasing support for independence in Scotland has been consistent for some time .
Newsnight 's political editor Nick Watt added that a senior SNP source had told him they believed the party 's moment `` is at last arriving '' .
At Prime Minister 's Questions on Wednesday , the SNP 's Westminster leader Ian Blackford said Mr Johnson was visiting due to recent polls suggesting support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said : `` Yesterday the Tory party held a political cabinet with the prime minister in a panic about the majority in increasing support for Scottish independence .
Apparently their great strategy amounts to more UK cabinet ministers coming to Scotland .
`` Can I tell the prime minister - the more Scotland sees of this UK government , the more convinced they are the need for Scotland 's independence . ''
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At her coronavirus briefing on Wednesday , the Ms Sturgeon said she had `` no plans '' to meet Mr Johnson on this trip , but is `` always happy to meet the prime minister if he wants to do so '' .
She added : `` We 're all very focused on the immediate priority of continuing to suppress Covid and I look forward to working with the UK government on that basis .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and disagreements over aspects of Scotland and the UK 's future , and I 'm sure we 'll continue to discuss those constructively as well . ''
Ms Sturgeon has previously suggested that her government 's response to the pandemic was helping convince Scots of the merits of independence .
In an interview with Scotland on Sunday marking her 50th birthday , she said : `` As we have stopped shouting about independence , and shouting to ourselves about how we go about getting independence , and just focused on [ dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed people to take a step back and say 'well actually that 's the benefit of autonomous decision-making ' and also 'perhaps things would be better if we had a bit more autonomous decision-making , ' and to come to their own conclusions . ''
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"It's very, very valuable in terms of the support we've been able to give to everybody throughout all corners of the UK, and we had a referendum on breaking up the union a few years ago - I think only six years ago. That is not a generation by any computation and I think what people really want to do is see our whole country coming back strongly together, and that's what we're going to do."


bbcuk--2020-07-22--Coronavirus: UK's pandemic planning an 'astonishing failure', say MPs

The government 's failure to plan for the economic impact of a pandemic is `` astonishing '' , a committee of MPs says .
The Commons Public Accounts Committee said the economic reaction to Covid-19 was rushed and the impact could be `` long term '' .
It said the Treasury waited until mid-March before deciding on the economic support schemes it would put in place .
But the government said it regularly tested its pandemic plans which enabled a `` rapid '' response , including support .
Last month , official figures showed that the UK economy shrank more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , contracting 2.2 % in the joint largest fall since 1979 .
In its report , the Commons Public Accounts Committee said the government needed to `` learn lessons '' from its response and `` ensure it does n't repeat its mistakes again in the event of a second spike in infections - or another novel disease outbreak '' .
`` We are astonished by the government 's failure to consider in advance how it might deal with the economic impacts of a pandemic , '' it said .
The report noted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 known a Exercise Cygnus .
But the committee said the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy `` was not even aware of the exercise '' , saying : `` It is astounding that the government did not think about the potential impact on the economy . ''
And it said that the Treasury did not announce plans for `` significant funding '' to support businesses and individuals until the Budget on 11 March `` and it did not become clear to the Treasury until the following week that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first reported cases of coronavirus confirmed by the chief medical officer in England was on 31 January .
`` The lack of prior thinking on the types of schemes that may be required led to a delay in implementation because the government needed to design the schemes from scratch , particularly in relation to the self-employed scheme where it lacked sufficient , reliable information on who the recipients should be , causing unnecessary uncertainty for businesses and individuals , '' the committee said .
The report called for more transparency in government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on issues including the Test and Trace programme was slow .
It said the Cabinet Office should review crisis command structures to `` ensure longer-term decision making '' .
The committee was also critical of how the issue of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) was handled , saying there were `` fundamental flaws in the government 's central procurement and local distribution of vital goods and equipment '' .
`` Despite a pandemic being identified as the government 's top non-malicious risk , it failed to stock up in advance , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned of the pandemic 's impact on children , saying : `` It will be a huge task to ensure lengthy school closures do not have long-term or irreversible effects on children and young people 's future health and education . ''
Labour committee chairwoman Meg Hillier said : `` Pandemic planning is the bread and butter of government risk planning , but we learn it was treated solely as a health issue , with no planning for the economic impacts .
`` This meant that the economic strategy was of necessity rushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's leaving people - and whole sectors of the economy - behind . ''
She said the government needed to `` take honest stock now , learning , and rapidly changing course where necessary '' .
There needed to be reassurance that there was `` serious thinking '' behind how to manage a second spike of the virus , she said .
A government spokesman said : `` As the public would expect , we regularly test our pandemic plans , allowing us to rapidly respond to this unprecedented crisis and protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that coronavirus would affect all areas of the country , that 's why we immediately put in place an unprecedented initial economic support package for jobs and business worth £160bn . ''
The spokesman said the next stage of the economic response will make a further £30bn available , including more than £100m `` to support children to learn at home '' .
The government has committed almost £28bn to support councils , businesses and communities in local areas , he said .

And it said the Treasury did not announce plans for "significant funding" to support businesses and individuals until the Budget on 11 March "and it did not become clear to the Treasury until the following week that a furlough scheme would be needed".


bbcuk--2020-07-22--Liverpool Premier League trophy lift: Special ceremony to mark success

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifted the Premier League trophy on the Kop at a near-empty Anfield to mark the club 's first top-flight triumph for 30 years .
Henderson received the trophy from Reds legend Sir Kenny Dalglish , who was manager when Liverpool last won it in 1990 , during a spectacular ceremony after the champions beat Chelsea 5-3 .
Liverpool were confirmed as champions on 25 June with seven games to spare , when nearest rivals Manchester City lost at Chelsea , but they had to wait until their final home game of the season to be presented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in front of their families , who were given special permission to attend the trophy presentation .
`` We 've been waiting a long time , '' said Henderson , who is recovering from a knee injury .
`` Walking up there was amazing , the lads deserved the moment and thankfully the families were watching .
`` To crown it off like that was really special . ''
There were no supporters in their 53,000-capacity Anfield home after the Premier League season resumed on 17 June behind closed doors following a three-month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Merseyside Police had warned fans not to repeat the widespread gatherings that took place on the city 's waterfront after the club 's title win last month - amid fears of a spike in infections - and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp urged them to celebrate at home .
A small group of fans , some with red flares , greeted the team coach when it arrived at the ground before kick-off , and fireworks were set off outside Anfield throughout the match .
During the game , Merseyside Police announced they had put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BST on Wednesday and 21:30 BST on Friday as they anticipated large crowds gathering .
Dalglish , who scored 172 goals in 515 appearances as a Liverpool player between 1977 and 1990 , handed out medals during a ceremony which involved a light show and pyrotechnics .
Klopp and his players sang the club 's famous anthem You 'll Never Walk Alone on the pitch after lifting the trophy .
Asked if he had a message for fans , Klopp said : `` If you do n't see that we do it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` You made us happy , we all should celebrate at home .
Prepare for a party and when this virus has gone we will have a party . ''
After 30 years of near misses , some dark days and even mid-table finishes , Liverpool finally ended the club 's long wait to be champions of England for the 19th time .
It started on 9 August 2019 when they beat newly promoted Norwich 4-1 in the opening match of the 2019-20 Premier League season .
That result set the tone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished one point behind champions Manchester City in 2018-19 , the Reds were relentless , winning their first eight league games .
Despite travelling to Qatar for the Fifa Club World Cup in December , they finished 2019 with a 13-point lead .
That had grown to 25 points when the Premier League was suspended in March because of Covid-19 .
Klopp later admitted he was `` worried '' about the season being declared null and void during the enforced shutdown .
As it turned out , Liverpool 's tally of 82 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was enough to win the title .
Manchester City , who are guaranteed to finish second , can only reach 81 .
Wednesday 's victory over Chelsea means Liverpool are on 96 points - 18 ahead of City - with one game , at Newcastle on Sunday ( 16:00 BST ) , to go .
On 1 May 1990 , Liverpool 's players paraded the league trophy around a packed and joyous Anfield .
It was the last time they would celebrate such a success for three decades .
Wednesday 's celebrations come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season rewriting the history books .
At one stage the Reds had a 25-point lead , the biggest ever in English top-flight history .
By claiming the title with seven matches to spare , Liverpool beat the mark set by Manchester United in 2000-01 and Manchester City in 2017-18 , who both became champions with five matches remaining .
When Liverpool reached 61 points from their opening 21 matches , it was the most a team had ever accumulated at that stage in any of Europe 's top five leagues .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have missed out on .
Manchester City 's record of 100 points in a single season set in 2017-18 remains as the most the Reds can reach is 99 .
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Last updated on .From the section Liverpool
Liverpool have won the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup in the past 13 months
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifted the Premier League trophy on the Kop at a near-empty Anfield to mark the club's first top-flight triumph for 30 years.
Henderson received the trophy from Reds legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, who was manager when Liverpool last won it in 1990, during a spectacular ceremony after the champions beat Chelsea 5-3.
Liverpool were confirmed as champions on 25 June with seven games to spare, when nearest rivals Manchester City lost at Chelsea, but they had to wait until their final home game of the season to be presented with the trophy.
They did so in front of their families, who were given special permission to attend the trophy presentation.
"We've been waiting a long time," said Henderson, who is recovering from a knee injury. "Walking up there was amazing, the lads deserved the moment and thankfully the families were watching.
"To crown it off like that was really special."
There were no supporters in their 53,000-capacity Anfield home after the Premier League season resumed on 17 June behind closed doors following a three-month suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Liverpool win 2019-20 Premier League title: Henderson on 'amazing feeling' of lifting Premier League trophy
Merseyside Police had warned fans not to repeat the widespread gatherings that took place on the city's waterfront after the club's title win last month - amid fears of a spike in infections - and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp urged them to celebrate at home.
A small group of fans, some with red flares, greeted the team coach when it arrived at the ground before kick-off, and fireworks were set off outside Anfield throughout the match.
During the game, Merseyside Police announced they had put in place a dispersal order between 21:30 BST on Wednesday and 21:30 BST on Friday as they anticipated large crowds gathering.
Liverpool have won 31 of their 37 Premier League games this season
Dalglish, who scored 172 goals in 515 appearances as a Liverpool player between 1977 and 1990, handed out medals during a ceremony which involved a light show and pyrotechnics.
Klopp and his players sang the club's famous anthem You'll Never Walk Alone on the pitch after lifting the trophy.
Asked if he had a message for fans, Klopp said: "If you don't see that we do it for you, I can't help you.
"You made us happy, we all should celebrate at home. Prepare for a party and when this virus has gone we will have a party."
Liverpool 5-3 Chelsea: Jurgen Klopp 'couldn't be more proud' after Reds lift trophy
How Liverpool won the title
After 30 years of near misses, some dark days and even mid-table finishes, Liverpool finally ended the club's long wait to be champions of England for the 19th time.
It started on 9 August 2019 when they beat newly promoted Norwich 4-1 in the opening match of the 2019-20 Premier League season.
That result set the tone for what was to come.
Having finished one point behind champions Manchester City in 2018-19, the Reds were relentless, winning their first eight league games.
Despite travelling to Qatar for the Fifa Club World Cup in December, they finished 2019 with a 13-point lead.
That had grown to 25 points when the Premier League was suspended in March because of Covid-19.
Klopp later admitted he was "worried" about the season being declared null and void during the enforced shutdown. As it turned out, Liverpool's tally of 82 points from 29 games when football was stopped was enough to win the title. Manchester City, who are guaranteed to finish second, can only reach 81.
Wednesday's victory over Chelsea means Liverpool are on 96 points - 18 ahead of City - with one game, at Newcastle on Sunday (16:00 BST), to go.
Record-breaking season
On 1 May 1990, Liverpool's players paraded the league trophy around a packed and joyous Anfield.
It was the last time they would celebrate such a success for three decades.
Wednesday's celebrations come after Klopp's side have spent the season rewriting the history books.
At one stage the Reds had a 25-point lead, the biggest ever in English top-flight history.
A number of Liverpool supporters gathered outside Anfield on Wednesday as the team lifted the Premier League trophy inside the ground
By claiming the title with seven matches to spare, Liverpool beat the mark set by Manchester United in 2000-01 and Manchester City in 2017-18, who both became champions with five matches remaining.
When Liverpool reached 61 points from their opening 21 matches, it was the most a team had ever accumulated at that stage in any of Europe's top five leagues.
However, there is one record Klopp's side have missed out on.
Manchester City's record of 100 points in a single season set in 2017-18 remains as the most the Reds can reach is 99.
A night to remember
Liverpool's Egypt forward Mohamed Salah (right) has scored 19 Premier League goals this season
Liverpool have remained unbeaten at Anfield in three consecutive league seasons for the first time in the club's history
Jurgen Klopp was appointed Liverpool manager in October 2015
Liverpool have lost just three of their 37 Premier League matches this season


bbcuk--2020-07-22--Coronavirus: Care home visits to resume in England

Care home residents in England can begin to be reunited with one of their loved ones , the government has said , as it publishes new guidance .
Visits will resume in care homes once local authorities and local public health directors say it is safe .
Residents will be limited to seeing the same one visitor , where possible , the guidance says .
Some providers began allowing outdoor , socially-distanced visits in June , in the absence of government guidelines .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it was now possible to `` carefully and safely '' allow visits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account `` local knowledge and circumstances for each care home '' .
People in registered residential care and those in nursing homes for people with learning disabilities , mental health or other disabilities in England will also be able to welcome visitors under the same guidance .
• Older people 's rights under Covid to be examined The government said visits could resume after the rate of community transmission of coronavirus had fallen , but staff , residents and visitors should observe its guidance to minimise the risk of spreading the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ visits could take place outside , without people having to go through a shared building , and visitors should stick to social distancing guidance and avoid hugs or handshakes .
Ad hoc visits should be discouraged and providers should collect contact details of visitors to support NHS Test and Trace , the guidance says .
Visitors should also be encouraged to wear a face covering and risk assessments must be carried out before homes reopen .
Gifts for residents should be easy to clean by care home staff .
`` It is unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flowers but a box of chocolates that could be sanitised with wipes would be allowed , '' the guidance says .
Care England , the country 's largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care , said it was `` disappointed '' the guidance had come so late .
Chief executive Professor Martin Green said : `` This guidance should have been with care providers last month .
`` We are at a loss to understand why the Department of Health and Social Care can not act quickly in a crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments and input from the sector . ''
It comes as the UK recorded the deaths of another 79 people who tested positive for coronavirus , taking the total number of deaths to 45,501 .
Lesley Lightfoot says not being able to be with her mum Blumah , who has Parkinson 's dementia , during lockdown has been `` the most painful thing I 've ever been through '' .
For months , she stood outside her mum 's north London care home , talking to her through a ground floor window .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed some outdoor visits .
But Ms Lightfoot wants clarity on whether the latest guidelines mean she 'll be able to see her mum indoors .
`` To be able to see her outside does n't solve my problem .
I need to get in and be with her in her room , '' she says , adding that her mum 's mental state has deteriorated with the isolation of lockdown .
`` She needs the reassurance , the love , the affection , the looking at things with her , the going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government said it will be down to individual care homes , working with public health officials , to decide whether visits can take place inside people 's rooms .
In Scotland , visits to virus-free homes resumed earlier this month .
In Wales , outdoor visits are allowed and in Northern Ireland , one person can visit a resident , with a second person accommodated `` where possible '' .
Sue Parker from Ovingham , Northumberland , who has a 29-year-old son with autism and OCD , welcomed the guidance but said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is n't an option to visit her son in his residential care home .
She explained he would not tolerate relatives visiting his care home and would only accept leaving to his family home - something he did most weekends before the pandemic .
`` It seems throughout that it has been a blanket one-size-fits-all policy [ for social care ] , with a focus on the elderly and frail , '' she said , adding that the new guidance seemed to be `` disproportionate '' for her son , given that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • I MAY DESTROY YOU : The groundbreaking drama making headlines in lockdown

"To be able to see her outside doesn't solve my problem. I need to get in and be with her in her room," she says, adding that her mum's mental state has deteriorated with the isolation of lockdown. "She needs the reassurance, the love, the affection, the looking at things with her, the going through things with her."


bbcuk--2020-07-22--Islamic State remains 'most significant' threat to UK

The Islamic State group ( IS ) remains the `` most significant '' threat to the UK , the defence secretary has warned .
Ben Wallace said the militant group 's `` poisonous ideology '' endures despite it having lost territory it once held in Syria and Iraq - and a possible resurgence `` should concern us all '' .
British aircraft have struck 40 targets as part of the fight against IS in the past year , Mr Wallace told MPs .
The `` hard fight '' to beat IS , or Daesh , was `` by no means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RAF carries out four air strikes on IS in May Making a statement to the House of Commons , Mr Wallace said RAF strikes had hit 40 targets since July 2019 .
Targets ranged from caves in remote parts of northern Iraq , to weapons bunkers and training camps , he said .
`` RAF aircraft have continued to patrol the skies on an almost daily basis , '' he said .
Members of the group have `` nowhere to hide '' , he said , but added that the group 's `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daesh retains its intent to carry out and inspire attacks against us , and remains the most significant terrorist threat to the United Kingdom and our interests , '' he said .
`` Conflict , economic collapse and inequality is creating new opportunities that they will continue to exploit , to grow and recruit . ''
About 900 people who joined the group as fighters during the conflict came from the UK , MPs were told .
Mr Wallace said of those , about 20 % had been killed and around 40 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large or in detention .
The remaining 40 % - an estimated 360 people - have returned to the UK , `` where they have been investigated and the majority assessed now to pose no risk or a low security risk '' , he said .
The UK continues to provide training , mentoring , and air support to Iraqi security forces , Mr Wallace said .

The remaining 40% - an estimated 360 people - have returned to the UK, "where they have been investigated and the majority assessed now to pose no risk or a low security risk", he said.


bbcuk--2020-07-22--Madeleine McCann suspect investigated over rape link

Portuguese police are investigating whether a suspect in the Madeleine McCann case may also be linked to a rape in the Algarve three years before .
Child sex offender Christian B is being investigated over possible links to an attack on an Irish woman .
Hazel Behan , 37 , waived her right to anonymity to speak about the assault near Praia da Luz in 2004 .
Officers say they will pass on any evidence to their German counterparts probing the disappearance of Madeleine .
A police source told BBC Europe correspondent Gavin Lee they have `` credible information '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be linked to the rape of Ms Behan , who was working in the region as a holiday rep in 2004 .
No suspect was ever identified in her case and forensic evidence is understood to have been destroyed .
However , it has since come to light that a year after her alleged attack , Christian B was convicted of a similar rape in Praia da Luz .
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Ms Behan said she felt physically sick when she learned about Christian B , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Guardian reported that detectives in Portugal collected the archived case file on her assault last week , quoting a source in the public prosecutor 's office .
Rape cases that took place more than 15 years ago can not be tried in Portugal .
Christian B , who is currently in prison in Germany , was revealed as the main suspect in Madeleine 's disappearance , as German and UK police made a fresh appeal for help in the case in June .
He is believed to have been in the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last seen while on holiday in Praia da Luz with her parents and siblings .
The Metropolitan Police , who are working with their German and Portuguese counterparts , have said the case remained a `` missing persons '' investigation in the UK because there was no `` definitive evidence '' as to whether Madeleine was alive or not .
But German prosecutors have said she is `` assumed '' to be dead .

The Metropolitan Police, who are working with their German and Portuguese counterparts, have said the case remained a "missing persons" investigation in the UK because there was no "definitive evidence" as to whether Madeleine was alive or not. But German prosecutors have said she is "assumed" to be dead.


bbcuk--2020-07-22--Amber Heard: Johnny Depp threw bottles 'like grenades' at me

Actress Amber Heard has accused her ex-husband Johnny Depp of throwing around 30 bottles at her `` like grenades '' , the High Court in London has heard .
She said the incident happened during what she previously called a `` three-day hostage situation '' in 2015 .
Mr Depp , 57 , is suing the publisher of the Sun over an article that labelled him a `` wife beater '' - but the newspaper insists it was accurate .
Ms Heard , 34 , was giving evidence in court for a third day .
It is the 12th day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• I was afraid Depp was going to kill me , says Heard Ms Heard said in court on Wednesday that she was not to blame for the tip of Mr Depp 's finger being severed while the couple were in Australia in March 2015 .
He has previously claimed that his ex-wife caused the injury by throwing a vodka bottle at him .
Ms Heard , who was married to the film star from 2015 to 2017 , has accused Mr Depp of repeatedly assaulting her during the Australia trip , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he denies .
She told the court on Wednesday : `` I got angry at times but not into a rage that would cause me to throw anything at him . ''
She said she had taken a bottle from him on the night of the alleged incident as she did not want him to drink any more and smashed it on the floor .
`` He started picking [ bottles ] up one by one and throwing them like grenades .
One after the other after the other , in my direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , I retreated more into the bar and he did n't stop . ''
`` I was too scared to look behind me .
He threw all the bottles that were in reach . ''
Ms Heard said she remembered that only `` a celebratory magnum-sized bottle '' was not smashed by Mr Depp `` out of 30 or so '' bottles .
Mr Depp 's lawyer , Eleanor Laws QC , put it to Ms Heard that Mr Depp 's fingertip was severed as a result of the actress throwing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replied : `` No . ''
Ms Laws said : `` According to you , Mr Depp sliced his finger off all on his own ... and then carried on attacking you . ''
Ms Heard said : `` Yes , he did .
I do n't think he meant to sever the finger but yes he did continue the attack . ''
The lawyer also asked about a photograph showing a mark on Mr Depp 's face and accused Ms Heard of stubbing a cigarette out on his cheek .
Ms Heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No , Johnny did it right in front of me , he often did things like that . ''
The lawyer then turned to an alleged incident of domestic violence in Los Angeles in December 2015 , which Ms Heard has described in her first witness statement as `` one of the worst and most violent nights of our relationship '' .
Ms Heard alleges that Johnny Depp slapped her , dragged her by the hair through their apartment - pulling clumps of her hair out - and then repeatedly punched her in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` I had bruised ribs , bruises all over my body , bruises on my forearms from trying to defend the blows .
I had two black eyes , I had a broken nose , I had a broken lip ... the really bad ones ( bruises ) were in my hairline , on my scalp . ''
The actress , who appeared on James Corden 's The Late Late Show the following night , described the moment when she says Mr Depp headbutted her .
`` He clenched his fists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into mine . ''
Questioning Ms Heard about her injuries , Ms Laws referred to medical notes made by a nurse , Erin Boerum , who saw Ms Heard shortly after the alleged incident and recorded that the actress was `` actively bleeding on her lip '' .
Ms Laws suggested that Ms Heard 's list of injuries were `` nonsense '' , adding : `` She ( Ms Boerum ) did n't see any bruising ... you had just bitten your lip because there was fresh blood on it .
Had you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Ms Heard replied : `` Of course not . ''
Ms Laws put it to Ms Heard that a photograph of her with bruises on her face taken after the alleged December 2015 incident was `` completely set up '' , which Ms Heard denied .
A short clip of Ms Heard 's appearance on The Late Late Show was then played to the court , following which Ms Laws said : `` That is what you looked like on the show , there is no injury , is there ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonnes of injuries . ''
She then said she had makeup on covering the injuries and added : `` You can tell by the size of my lip alone . ''
Ms Heard 's friend , make-up artist Melanie Inglessis , told the court that the pair had `` many conversations '' about Mr Depp and Ms Heard 's relationship .
She said she had planned to go bowling with Ms Heard the night before The Late Late Show appearance , but that Ms Heard did not turn up and later texted Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on me '' .
Ms Inglessis said Ms Heard told her that Mr Depp `` tried to suffocate her with a pillow ... those were her words '' .
She added Ms Heard was `` erratic , upset , you know , in between being sad and upset and furious '' .
The court also heard that Mr Depp `` was jealous '' of other actors with whom Ms Heard filmed intimate scenes , and that Mr Depp wanted her to do fewer nude scenes .
Joshua Drew , the ex-husband of Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennington , said in a written witness statement : `` Rocky told me , based on her conversations with Amber , that Johnny had a particular issue with James Franco because he and Amber had some intimate scenes in a project they were filming , which Johnny did not want her doing . ''
`` His name came up often and it would cause fights between them .
They were arguing about it very regularly . ''
The hearing also covered the events surrounding the actress facing criminal proceedings in Australia for taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pistol and Boo , into the country in 2015 without the proper paperwork .
She told the court she `` took the blame '' for illegally bringing the couple 's dogs into Australia because his lawyers had said it would make her ex-husband 's job `` less threatened than it already was '' .
She said it was n't her decision to take the dogs , adding : `` Johnny 's the boss . ''
Mr Depp 's lawyer suggested Ms Heard `` was the boss '' and she had tried to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the blame '' .
This was denied by Ms Heard , who said : `` I had already pleaded guilty . ''
The libel case centres on an article published on the Sun 's website in April 2018 headlined : `` Gone Potty : How can JK Rowling be 'genuinely happy ' casting wife beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film ? ''
.
The article related to allegations made by Ms Heard , which Mr Depp denies .
Her evidence was initially due to conclude on Wednesday but will now @ @ @ @

Joshua Drew, the ex-husband of Ms Heard's friend Raquel "Rocky" Pennington, said in a written witness statement: "Rocky told me, based on her conversations with Amber, that Johnny had a particular issue with James Franco because he and Amber had some intimate scenes in a project they were filming, which Johnny did not want her doing."


bbcuk--2020-07-22--UK unveils new special visa for Hong Kong's BNO holders

The UK government has unveiled the conditions under which almost three million Hong Kong residents will be able to start on a path to citizenship .
Hong Kong 's British National ( Overseas ) passport holders and their immediate dependants will have the right to apply for a special UK visa from January , Home Secretary Priti Patel said .
The offer comes after China imposed a sweeping new security law in Hong Kong .
Beijing has previously warned the UK not to meddle in domestic issues .
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in May that all British National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passport holders `` are Chinese nationals '' and the move would `` violate international law '' .
However , Ms Patel said on Wednesday that the offer meant the UK was `` keeping our promise '' to Hong Kong residents `` to uphold their freedoms '' .
What are the conditions to get the special visa ?
BNO holders already have the right to visit the UK visa-free for six months .
However , this will now allow them to apply for two periods of 30 months ' leave or five years ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then eventually become full British citizens .
BNO holders are able to bring immediate dependants , including a spouse who does not have the passport , along with children under the age of 18 .
No one born after 1997 is entitled to a BNO passport , and it does not pass down through the generations .
However , holders ' children who were born in 1997 or later and are older than 18 will be able to apply if they are part of a family unit .
Read more about Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TENSIONS : The Hong Kong crisis and the new world order • THE NEW LAW : What it is and why Hong Kong is worried • WHAT COULD HAPPEN : Life sentences for breaking the law and more Applicants do not have to have a job before arriving in the UK , and there is no minimum salary attached to the visa .
However , the passport holders must be able to support themselves financially and will not qualify for benefits .
They will need to have a tuberculosis ( TB ) test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those convicted only of offences related to the recent demonstrations in Hong Kong will still qualify .
They also need to show a commitment to learn English .
Why is the UK offering the special visa ?
Hong Kong is a former British colony , which was handed back to China in 1997 .
But before Hong Kong was returned , the UK and China made an agreement to introduce `` one country , two systems '' , which meant , among other things , rights such as freedom of assembly , free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be protected .
• What is the BNO and what does the UK move mean ?
• Why we are taking our BNOs and leaving The agreement signed in 1984 was set to last until 2047 .
But the UK says this agreement - known as the Joint Declaration - is under threat because the territory passed a new law in June that gives China sweeping new controls over the people of Hong Kong .
What is the new security law ?
• Allows for closed-door trials , wire-tapping of suspects and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mainland • Means a wide range of acts , including damaging public transport facilities , can be considered terrorism • Requires internet providers to hand over data if requested by police China has said the law is necessary to prevent the type of protests seen in Hong Kong during much of 2019 .
However , the law has caused alarm both in Hong Kong and abroad , with opponents saying it erodes the territory 's freedoms as a semi-autonomous region of China .
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UK unveils new special visa for Hong Kong's BNO holders Published 22 July 2020
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The offer was made after China imposed a sweeping new security law on Hong Kong
The UK government has unveiled the conditions under which almost three million Hong Kong residents will be able to start on a path to citizenship.
Hong Kong's British National (Overseas) passport holders and their immediate dependants will have the right to apply for a special UK visa from January, Home Secretary Priti Patel said.
The offer comes after China imposed a sweeping new security law in Hong Kong.
Beijing has previously warned the UK not to meddle in domestic issues.
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in May that all British National (Overseas) - or BNO - passport holders "are Chinese nationals" and the move would "violate international law".
However, Ms Patel said on Wednesday that the offer meant the UK was "keeping our promise" to Hong Kong residents "to uphold their freedoms".
What are the conditions to get the special visa?
BNO holders already have the right to visit the UK visa-free for six months.
However, this will now allow them to apply for two periods of 30 months' leave or five years' leave to remain in the UK, and then eventually become full British citizens.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Tea, drugs and war: Hong Kong's British history explained
BNO holders are able to bring immediate dependants, including a spouse who does not have the passport, along with children under the age of 18.
No one born after 1997 is entitled to a BNO passport, and it does not pass down through the generations. However, holders' children who were born in 1997 or later and are older than 18 will be able to apply if they are part of a family unit.
Read more about Hong Kong's new security law
Applicants do not have to have a job before arriving in the UK, and there is no minimum salary attached to the visa. However, the passport holders must be able to support themselves financially and will not qualify for benefits.
They will need to have a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate and no serious convictions, though those convicted only of offences related to the recent demonstrations in Hong Kong will still qualify.
They also need to show a commitment to learn English.
Why is the UK offering the special visa?
Hong Kong is a former British colony, which was handed back to China in 1997.
But before Hong Kong was returned, the UK and China made an agreement to introduce "one country, two systems", which meant, among other things, rights such as freedom of assembly, free speech and freedom of the press would be protected.
The agreement signed in 1984 was set to last until 2047.
But the UK says this agreement - known as the Joint Declaration - is under threat because the territory passed a new law in June that gives China sweeping new controls over the people of Hong Kong.
What is the new security law?
The new, wide ranging law:
Makes "inciting hatred" of China's central government and Hong Kong's regional government illegal
Allows for closed-door trials, wire-tapping of suspects and the potential for suspects to be tried on the mainland
Means a wide range of acts, including damaging public transport facilities, can be considered terrorism
Requires internet providers to hand over data if requested by police
China has said the law is necessary to prevent the type of protests seen in Hong Kong during much of 2019. However, the law has caused alarm both in Hong Kong and abroad, with opponents saying it erodes the territory's freedoms as a semi-autonomous region of China.
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bbcuk--2020-07-22--Essex lorry deaths: Eamonn Harrison is extradited to UK

An Irish lorry driver , wanted over his alleged role in the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants in a lorry @ @ @ @ @ extradited to the UK .
Eight women and 31 men were found in the container @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said they died of lack of oxygen and overheating in an enclosed space @ @ @ @ @ , from Mayobridge , County Down , is alleged to have driven the trailer to @ @ @ @ @ before it sailed to Purfleet in England .
Essex Police confirmed on Wednesday night that @ @ @ @ @ custody .
He faces 39 charges of manslaughter as well as conspiracy to assist unlawful @ @ @ @ @ at Dublin Port on 26 October after returning from France and Belgium .

Eamonn Harrison, 23, from Mayobridge, County Down, is alleged to have driven the trailer to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge before it sailed to Purfleet in England.


bbcuk--2020-07-22--OneWeb: Minister overrode warning about £400m investment

MPs have launched an inquiry into the government 's $ 500m ( £400m ) investment in bankrupt satellite firm OneWeb , amid disclosure that a top civil servant warned that taxpayers could lose out .
The government took a stake in the satellite broadband company as part of a post-Brexit space strategy .
It emerged on Wednesday that an acting permanent secretary raised concerns , warning that the deal was `` unusual '' .
Mr Jones , chairman of the Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee , said in a statement that news of the permanent secretary 's worries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` prompts further questions about how the government… came to plump for this largely US-based bankrupt satellite company '' .
He went on to say that `` using nearly half a billion pounds of taxpayer money to gamble on a 'commercial opportunity ' whilst still failing to support manufacturing jobs with a sector deal is both troubling and concerning . ''
OneWeb is creating a satellite network to support broadband and GPS services .
But the firm collapsed in March , blaming the Covid crisis for not being able to raise more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a joint offer from the UK government and India 's Bharti Global mobile operator won a bidding war for the firm .
But it was disclosed on Wednesday that Sam Beckett , the top civil servant in the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy ( BEIS ) , said all the money put forward could be lost .
`` While in one scenario we could get a 20 % return , the central case is marginal and there are significant downside risks , including that venture capital investments of this sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the value of the equity can be lost , '' she wrote .
The comments were part of a letter for `` ministerial direction '' , an avenue for civil servants to register a stronger than usual opinion .
Ministers are obliged to formally overrule the official 's objections to instruct the spending to go ahead .
The contents of the letter must also be made public .
Ms Beckett said that an assessment by the UK Space Agency had identified `` substantial technical and operational hurdles '' that OneWeb would need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` viable and profitable business '' and there was a high likelihood that further taxpayer funding would be necessary .
However , Business Secretary Alok Sharma overrode Ms Beckett 's concerns and the government went ahead with the bid .
Mr Sharma said Chancellor Rishi Sunak had agreed to the purchase , and other private sector investors were involved in the bid for OneWeb .
The government hopes that London-based OneWeb , can take the place of the EU 's Galileo programme , which the UK left when Brexit took effect in January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I completely understand your , the Prime Minister 's and the Chancellor 's interest in wider benefits such as the potential long-term geopolitical advantages for foreign policy and soft power that would come with sovereign ownership of a fleet of satellites .
`` Moreover , I do not underestimate the potential opportunity that this investment represents for UK interests globally .
`` It would be the first mega-constellation operator , if it succeeds , and would have the potential to connect millions of people , in particular those in remote , rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she wrote that she could not be sure that the investment met Whitehall 's strict value-for-money requirements and so requested the formal order from Mr Sharma to proceed .
OneWeb , which has its headquarters in London and a manufacturing base in Florida , is aiming to complete the construction of a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites .
The UK government sees satellites as a way to meet commitments on the roll-out of super-fast broadband and believes OneWeb 's constellation could also deliver a precise satellite navigation system .
Seventy-four satellites in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched when the company announced it was seeking bankruptcy protection .
Most experts believe a further $ 3bn at least is needed to bring the full constellation into use .

"While in one scenario we could get a 20% return, the central case is marginal and there are significant downside risks, including that venture capital investments of this sort can fail, with the consequence that all the value of the equity can be lost," she wrote.


bbcuk--2020-07-22--Harry Dunn death: US immunity rule used by Anne Sacoolas closed

The UK and the US have agreed to amend an `` anomaly '' that allowed Harry Dunn death suspect Anne Sacoolas to claim diplomatic immunity .
Mrs Sacoolas - the wife of a diplomat at RAF Croughton , Northamptonshire - was able to leave the UK thanks to the `` secret agreement '' .
She has been accused of killing the 19-year-old in a crash near the base .
Mr Dunn 's mother said the change , which is not thought to be retroactive , was a `` huge step in the right direction '' .
Charlotte Charles told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raab to work with us to make sure that we get her back to the UK to face justice at some point soon . ''
The foreign secretary has said relatives of US staff at the air base can face prosecution under the amended rules where they may have previously been immune .
• How the death of a teen became a transatlantic row Mr Raab said the new arrangements had `` closed the anomaly that led to the denial of justice in the heartbreaking case of Harry Dunn '' .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring Harry back '' but hoped they may `` bring some small measure of comfort '' to his family .
Ms Charles vowed to continue the family 's campaign to bring Mrs Sacoolas before a UK court .
`` We always live with hope that one day she might just decide of her own accord to put herself on a plane and come back over here , '' she said .
`` We definitely will keep the pressure up . ''
Ms Charles said she wanted Mrs Sacoolas to `` see what her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anomaly they 've now amended '' .
Northamptonshire Police said it understood the changes would not be retrospective but welcomed the move .
Downing Street said the change meant `` in relation to the level of offence Anne Sacoolas is accused of , she could have been arrested by the police once they had obtained a warrant from the court '' .
Anne Sacoolas , the alleged killer of Harry Dunn , is never going to be extradited from the US because Washington is standing firm that she is entitled to diplomatic immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ product of a legal loophole that needed to be fixed - a loophole that nobody spotted until tragedy struck .
Officials of foreign governments who are officially operating in another country have immunity from prosecution under long-standing international law .
This legal principle of immunity has long been accepted by states as necessary to help foster good relations between them .
But limits can be imposed by agreement .
In the case of RAF Croughton , a deal between the two states allowed the potential prosecution of US staff for crimes committed beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater protections .
In short , had a US official , rather than his or her spouse , been behind the wheel of the car that was involved in a crash , they may have had to face police questioning and potential criminal charge .
This sad and bizarre legal mistake has now been corrected - and officials appear confident there are no other similar anomalies elsewhere that could stand in the way of justice .
The US State Department said the amendment was a `` reflection of our especially close relationship '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would continue working with British prosecutors to ensure Mrs Sacoolas was returned from the US to face court proceedings .
Mrs Sacoolas , 42 , was charged with causing death by dangerous driving in December .
Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy said that Labour would `` push for a full inquiry '' into the case .
She said : `` The foreign secretary has still not come to Parliament to explain how failings in his department allowed a US citizen to leave the country while their immunity was still in question .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused by US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in January , and American officials said the decision was final .
It is believed Mrs Sacoolas was driving on the wrong side of the road when Mr Dunn was killed .
There have been reports of other vehicles spotted driving on the wrong side of the road near the base , including one which was shown in a YouTube video in February .

In short, had a US official, rather than his or her spouse, been behind the wheel of the car that was involved in a crash, they may have had to face police questioning and potential criminal charge. This sad and bizarre legal mistake has now been corrected - and officials appear confident there are no other similar anomalies elsewhere that could stand in the way of justice.


bbcuk--2020-07-22--'It's devastating news' - the businesses still unable to reopen

As the nation gradually unlocks , nightclubs and soft play centres still do n't know when it will be their turn to reopen .
`` On Friday there was the devastating news that everybody else apart from ourselves and nightclubs could open , '' says Janice Dunphy , owner of the Web Adventure Park indoor play centre in York .
`` We 've been closed now 133 days so it 's really difficult to accept , '' she told BBC Radio 5 Live 's Wake Up To Money .
Indoor play centres , along with nightclubs , have not yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far no date has been set for them to work towards .
That 's leaving business owners such as Janice unable to plan for a return of their customers and the financial boost that would provide .
• 'My hotel is losing about £40,000 a month' Recent weeks have seen non-essential shops , theme parks and outdoor play areas reopen and at the start of August it will be possible for bowling alleys , casinos and ice rinks to welcome customers back .
But as Boris Johnson announced the lifting of those restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full services for beauticians , he added : `` Nightclubs and soft play areas will sadly need to remain closed for now - although this will be kept under review . ''
Janice says : `` My financial director told me we have to lose £200,000 off our wage bill over the next 18 months .
Some of the staff that we 've had to let go have families . ''
For the Web Adventure Park that meant significant redundancies , as they could not afford for furloughed staff to continue accruing holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 65 staff but I 've just made nine redundant and had to lay 20 off temporarily .
Then we have 20 staff working in the nursery , which is still open .
`` The ones we have had to lay off are mostly the younger workers , the 18-year-olds . ''
Janice is not just a business owner , she also sits on the management committee for the British Association of Leisure Parks , Piers and Attractions .
It claims that up to two-thirds of soft play centres could close by October if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their extended lockdown .
`` We have supported everything that we 've been asked to do , '' says Janice .
`` I actually produced the reopening protocol that was approved by [ the Health and Safety Executive ] so we 've ticked every box as far as we 've been asked .
`` We would remove ball pits and anything that was a potential hazard would be taken out .
Our members have foggers that they can clean surfaces with . ''
`` However there 's been no clarity , nothing has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions as to why certain industries that are indoors that have large numbers like inflatables parks , like trampoline parks can open but we ca n't .
`` If we had some idea of why , if we could speak to the government and ask why we could answer some of the questions but we 've had no communication at all . ''
The nightclub sector is another that remains locked down despite the easing of restrictions elsewhere .
`` I think what 's really frustrating with our nightclub is we just have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen and it 's really hard to plan that way , '' says Charlie Gilkes , a nightlife entrepreneur and the co-founder of Inception Group , which includes a nightclub .
`` We understand that nightclubs are quite hard to operate with any social distancing in place , they are social environments , but we just need to have some sort of clarity of when they think it will be , even if that 's next year .
`` And we need some sort of promise that the furlough scheme will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can remain on that and there can be some specific support for the businesses which are n't allowed to open . ''
A Ministry of Housing , Communities and Local Government spokesman said : `` We recognise the frustration of businesses which have had to remain closed because of the pandemic and we are working to help them reopen as soon as it is safe .
`` We are also providing businesses and their employees with an unprecedented package of support during this national emergency including £330bn worth of government backed and guaranteed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
You can hear more of these interviews by downloading the Wake Up To Money podcast .

"We understand that nightclubs are quite hard to operate with any social distancing in place, they are social environments, but we just need to have some sort of clarity of when they think it will be, even if that's next year.


bbcuk--2020-07-22--Airlines push for virus testing to save holiday season

The aviation and holiday industry are due to hold urgent talks with government this week in a bid to bring coronavirus testing to airports .
Companies say testing could end quarantine restrictions and save what 's left of the key holiday season .
It is hoped that Covid-19 testing could be introduced at UK airports by the start of September .
Negative results would free travellers from quarantine rules when arriving in the UK from high risk areas .
Sources at a steering group that is in talks on behalf of the industry say that once the government is happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a verified and of a certified health and scientific standard , they could then be used .
The Polymerase Chain Reaction ( PCR ) swab test that is proposed in airports is the type in operation at NHS facilities across the UK .
Nurses would carry out the airport swab tests at clinics run by medical firm Collinson .
The company has said previously the trial is about `` modifying '' the quarantine .
Passengers would pay for the tests themselves .
A negative result could take as little as five hours , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every participant within 24 hours .
The Department for Transport declined to comment .
Sources who have spoken to the BBC have expressed their frustration at the slow response of government to make testing in airports happen .
The holiday and aviation sectors has been crippled by the pandemic .
Tens of thousands of jobs have been lost at airlines and handling companies as the skies closed for months .
The lucrative transatlantic route between Europe and North America is seen as crucial to trade and holidays .
On Tuesday , US Vice-President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to airport testing to get people flying again and allow travellers to be freed of quarantine restrictions .
Those close to this new steering group expect that routes from specific cities in the US to London could be prioritised because of their importance to trade , such as New York or Dallas .
Major tour operators such as TUI and Jet2 restarted their holiday operations to popular European holiday destinations about a fortnight ago .
Numbers were down on the previous year but they have seen some demand bounce back .
But there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection rate in Spain .
Earlier this week , Spain 's north-eastern Catalonia region recorded a daily Covid-19 infection figure of more than 1,000 , leading to new new restrictions .
And at the weekend residents in Barcelona were advised only to leave their homes for essential trips .
Regional authorities on Spain 's Balearic island of Majorca on Wednesday ordered the immediate closure of bars on three streets popular with hard drinking tourists to limit the potential for coronavirus outbreaks .
Concerned that many tourists are not respecting social distancing guidelines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Platja de Palma strip in the capital Palma , and at Magaluf , a favoured haunt with young Britons .
If public health measures meant that Spain is re-categorised and taken off the quarantine-free travel list , it would pose tremendous problems for the aviation industry .
One leading voice in the sector said `` this industry relies on Spain , take it out and there will be major problems '' .
The source said the industry was worried about what would happen to the thousands of UK holidaymakers who are currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine on return .
The travel sector is also concerned that those who are booked to travel in coming weeks could get cold feet and begin a second avalanche of cancellations and refunds .
These problems could be negated with the acceleration of a rigorous testing programme in airports , something the aviation industry has been pushing for for months .
Despite criticism of the government 's quarantine scheme and its impact on the travel industry , ministers have insisted that public health must came first .
• SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How do they work and who can be in yours ?
• JOBS : Can my boss force me to go to work ?
• SYMPTOMS : What are they and how to guard against them ?
• FACE MASKS : When should you wear one ?
• TESTING : Who can get a test and how ?

Sources at a steering group that is in talks on behalf of the industry say that once the government is happy that the Covid-19 test results are of a verified and of a certified health and scientific standard, they could then be used.


bbcuk--2020-07-22--Sturgeon warns lockdown may not be eased next week

Gyms and theatres in Scotland could remain closed for several more weeks in a move designed to ensure children can return to school full-time in August .
Current restrictions - which have also shut non-essential offices - are due to be reviewed next Thursday .
But at her daily briefing Nicola Sturgeon warned the review may not lead to the reopening of more businesses .
She wants to keep the virus at a low level so schools can safely reopen .
• What can I now do - and what are the rules ?
In her latest briefing , Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a note of caution '' about the possibility of easing more restrictions next week .
She said the Scottish government 's main focus was on `` fully and safely '' reopening schools on 11 August and removing the requirement for shielding from 31 July .
`` These two aims ... are really important priorities and , to be frank , they are only achievable if levels of Covid in the community remain very low , '' she said .
The Scottish government is obliged to review lockdown restrictions every three weeks .
Businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offices , call centres and bingo halls are among those due to be considered for reopening as part of the Phase 3 plan .
However , pointing to the Lanarkshire outbreak and the rising numbers of cases in some other countries , Ms Sturgeon said the government needed to be `` confident '' it was safe to ease restrictions .
The first minister said data would be reviewed and a final decision on lifting more restrictions would not be made until next week .
But she added : `` We can not leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge to be necessary , but I did want to flag up now that it is possible we may not be able to make any changes next week beyond confirming the return of schooling and a pause in shielding .
`` And so for those businesses who are still waiting for a date to restart , I want to thank you for your ongoing patience .
`` I fully understand how difficult any further delay is for you .
I also hope you understand why we need to act safely and cautiously and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland spent three weeks in Phase 2 - when non-essential shops and beer gardens reopened - before moving into Phase 3 on 10 July .
• people have been able to go inside pubs and restaurants • and hair and beauty salons have thrown open their doors .
The latest statistics from the National Records of Scotland show that deaths from coronavirus have dropped to the lowest level since the start of the pandemic , with just six recorded fatalities last week .

But she added: "We cannot leave restrictions in place for longer than we judge to be necessary, but I did want to flag up now that it is possible we may not be able to make any changes next week beyond confirming the return of schooling and a pause in shielding.