bbcuk--2020-09-09--'The rug can be pulled any time' - how indie music has adapted during Covid

This was supposed to be Arlo Parks ' year .
The soulful indie singer was named on the BBC Sound of 2020 list , had her first UK headline tour under way and support slots in the States lined up , not to mention Glastonbury .
But before spring had sprung , she saw those plans `` dissolve before my eyes '' due to the `` devastating '' pandemic .
`` I think I did have a fear that it was going to seriously rock my career and prospects , '' says the 20-year-old Londoner , who is signed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown that the rug can be pulled from under my feet at any time .
`` But then on the flip side , I did learn that sense of resilience and finding ways to stay connected with fans and maintaining a sense of inspiration , and just doing my best with what was available and remaining optimistic . ''
The Association of Independent Music Award winner says the pause has given her time to write and enjoy some `` surreal '' experiences - like playing in an empty church , and performing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacant Worthy Farm .
`` I think taking time to just focus on my craft - learning to make beats , playing guitar , writing poetry and reading - getting back to the crux of like what makes me an artist , which is the actual creation process , has been my focus day-to-day , '' she says .
`` Then I guess trying to remain optimistic that gigs will come back at some future . ''
Parks is among the indie artists helping BBC Radio 6 Music celebrate and examine the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
Another rising star whose ascent has been slowed by the virus is fellow Sound of 2020 act Beabadoobee .
The 90s-influenced rocker , real name Beatrice Kristi , says it `` kind of sucked '' to miss out on opening up for labelmates The 1975 at New York 's Madison Square Garden .
Instead , she used confinement to live-stream bedroom gigs on social media , and create the `` perfect aesthetic '' for her debut album , Fake It Flowers , which drops next month .
`` I would n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything , but we have so much time and it 's nice to take some things slow , '' offers the 20-year-old , who has a rescheduled tour booked in for September 2021 .
`` In all honesty , I feel like if I went away for this whole year - I did n't think I was ready .
Now I think I 'm ready , because I 've spent so much time with my family and my boyfriend and I 've kind of grown up a bit . ''
While socially-distanced indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-August , most venues have been unable to put them on in practice .
The Brudenell Social Club in Leeds has seen shows pushed back until next spring , but owner Nathan Clark tells the BBC those dates are only provisional .
The Yorkshireman is one of many grassroots venue bosses waiting to see if they will benefit from the government 's £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund , of which £3.36m has been set aside for music venues .
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden told The Mail on Sunday that `` mass indoor events '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now in sight .
Yet Clark believes greater `` sector specific support '' is required to make it feasible for the live independent music circuit to re-start .
He notes how the guidance for `` someone going to a theatre to sit down and observe quietly with their arms crossed '' is not applicable to those going to see a rock band , rapper or DJ .
`` You go to a gig to interact with people , '' says Clark .
`` To enjoy the music , dance and sing along .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so it 's taken away the main point of it .
`` We 're starting to get back to arranging some types of events and finding ways to make it work , '' he goes on .
`` But it 's not going to be live music as we know it .
It 's going to be quite weird for a long time and it 's certainly not going to be worth any money for us , for the artists , or for anyone else .
`` It 's basically an exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Can it support a cultural recovery ? ''
Brighton-based guitar band Porridge Radio emerged from the rubble of 2020 after their second album , Every Bad , was nominated for the Mercury Prize .
Fittingly , it finds frontwoman and main songwriter Dana Margolin reflecting on feelings of frustration and uncertainty .
Plans for the four-piece to quit their `` normal jobs '' to chase the music dream full-time have had to go on hold for now , which she believes may have worked in their favour during the crisis .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't have this sense of entitlement to a job in music , '' says Margolin , who also works as a nanny .
`` It 's quite new for us anyway , for things to be going well !
`` We 've not played any of our sold-out shows , '' she adds .
`` It just did n't happen .
So I 'm like , 'Oh well , does it really exist ? '
'' Tom Gray 's band Gomez won the Mercury Prize in 1998 , when it was possible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now a director of copyright collective PRS for Music , says Southport 's finest would have `` no chance '' of making a living from music in today 's landscape , partly because streaming royalties do n't go far when split five ways .
With gig earnings virtually cut off overnight , most artists have found they can no longer fall back on income from recorded music .
Gray has launched the Broken Record campaign , calling for streaming giants like Spotify and YouTube to change their `` outdated '' models and pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , rights-holding artists on Spotify earn around $ 0.006 ( £0.0051p ) per stream .
`` Recorded music is a product ; it 's a thing that we make and we spend months and years of our lives making it , '' says Gray .
Gray stresses the `` narrative '' that independent musicians earn as much as major label megastars like Adele or Stormzy needs to change too .
`` These people live in your communities , they play in your pubs , they probably make your coffee , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nice Swan Records offer `` artist-friendly 50-50 '' management deals to the acts in their stable , such as Mercury Prize nominees Sports Team , Pip Blom and Fur .
The two-man operation , comprising Alex Edwards and Pete Heywoode , have also had to cancel tours this year and delay album campaigns for their more established acts , some of whom have had to take advantage of furlough schemes and other funding .
However , they found that launching an `` introducing '' series , highlighting their new signings during lockdown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been really exciting launching new careers and getting loads of coverage in the media and press and radio , '' says Edwards .
`` But obviously with more established acts that are going into album two and three , we 've hit some brick walls .
`` We 've noticed streaming figures going up , '' notes Heywoode .
`` The consumption of music has been stronger than ever . ''
The pair will continue to put their artists ' material on streaming sites , and in independent record shops .
Phil Barton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in central London , says they had a `` brilliant '' Record Store Day last month .
They shifted most of their stock via a mixture of in-store and online sales , which he says was `` a shot in the arm '' after `` a really bad six months '' .
He thinks smaller record shops can help themselves by having an online presence .
He 'd also like to see some external help so they can continue to help people discover their own Arlo Parks next year and beyond .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same sorts of banner as live venues , and they should be treated as a sort of cultural necessity , '' states Barton .
`` They 're places where people make contacts and exchange ideas . ''

"We're starting to get back to arranging some types of events and finding ways to make it work," he goes on. "But it's not going to be live music as we know it. It's going to be quite weird for a long time and it's certainly not going to be worth any money for us, for the artists, or for anyone else.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--New coronavirus rules: 'It makes a child's party an illegal gathering'

From Monday social gatherings of more than six people - with some exceptions - will become illegal , in a bid to stem the growing number of coronavirus cases .
With its numerous parks and open spaces , the university city of Cambridge knows a thing or two about gatherings .
So the BBC headed there to see how the new rules were going down .
`` I wish I 'd waited to send out the invites - I 'm not really sure what we 'll do at the minute , '' says research assistant Philippa Barton .
The scientist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Cambridge University , is 29 today and had planned to celebrate her birthday in a little over a week 's time .
`` So that ca n't happen any more , '' she says .
`` I mean it is a bit awkward now that I 've already sent out the invites because you ca n't just scrap two people off the list - I think that would be really awful .
`` I 'm not really sure what we 'll do at the minute .
I might have to do two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What are the new rules ?
Hannah Batchelor runs both the Stardust Dance Academy , in the Orchard Park area of the city , and a children 's party business .
Both sides of her business , she believes , will be affected .
She fears the party side will grind to a total halt .
`` I think mainly it will affect class numbers , '' she says .
`` I think it is going to affect parents ' confidence in sending children to after-school and extra-curricular activities .
I think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on my dance school .
`` I also think it is going to definitely going to have a negative impact on my party business as with the new guidelines I ca n't really run children 's parties .
As an outdoor fitness business , he can accommodate up to 30 people each session and so he will not fall foul of the new restrictions .
`` Obviously , we have to stay within the guidelines for social distancing and we are running within the Football Association 's rules on outdoor training , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites around Cambridge and we have about 18 to 20 sessions a week .
They are being really well attended ; we 've had new people joining up .
`` The other side of our work , the corporate work side , has really died down .
There 's only one that I 'm training with in town , whereas it used to be four or five a week . ''
`` But for us it is just so important that we keep hold of the social-distancing guidelines because , while it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have to be so careful that they are always more than 2m ( about 6ft ) apart .

From Monday social gatherings of more than six people - with some exceptions - will become illegal, in a bid to stem the growing number of coronavirus cases. With its numerous parks and open spaces, the university city of Cambridge knows a thing or two about gatherings. So the BBC headed there to see how the new rules were going down.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: What powers do the police have?

What can police do if I meet six or more friends ?
For example , current guidelines say outdoor gatherings @ @ @ @ @ take place if everyone is from two households .
However , police are only able @ @ @ @ @ if the group is larger than 30 .
The new rules will be backed by @ @ @ @ @ take action if you are in a group of more than six .
The government @ @ @ @ @ new , lower limit in law will make it easier for the police to identify @ @ @ @ @ '' How much could I be fined ?
What about other parts of the UK @ @ @ @ @ cover my face in a shop ?
Can I be stopped from going to a @ @ @ @ @ pubs and cafes break the rules ?

Coronavirus: What powers do police have if people break Covid rules? Published 12 January 2021
Image source, Getty Images
The police's role in the coronavirus pandemic is simple: to ensure we follow national lockdown restrictions.
But in practice, that is a huge challenge for officers who are being asked to monitor behaviour that, until March last year, was perfectly legal.
How do police enforce Covid rules?
Police chiefs have followed a system called "The Four Es". Before fines are issued to rule-breakers, police will first:
Engage with people, to ask why they appear to be breaking the rules
Explain the law, stressing the risks to public health and the NHS
Encourage them to change their behaviour
The fourth "E" is "Enforce" by issuing penalty notices, as a last resort.
Covid rule-breakers are now "increasingly likely" to be fined by officers, the Metropolitan Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick has said.
What are the fines for breaking Covid rules?
The police have a legal duty to make sure the rules are enforced, alongside council, environmental health and trading standards officers.
If you break coronavirus regulations, you could get a fixed penalty notice , the Covid equivalent of a traffic offence like speeding.
Since March, 32,000 have been issued in England and Wales. Penalties rose sharply during England's November lockdown. Almost 6,500 penalty tickets were handed out as police moved more quickly to enforcement.
In England and Northern Ireland fines start at £200. Fines start at £60 in Wales, and in Scotland, although this is reduced to £30 if paid within 28 days.
Large parties can also be shut down by the police - with fines of up to £10,000.
In extreme circumstances, you could be prosecuted and face an even greater fine imposed by a court.
Image source, West Midlands Police Image caption, Hundreds of people were caught on a drone camera at an illegal party by West Midlands Police
Can police fine me for being in the street?
Yes. All of England is now in a "tier four" national lockdown, with similar measures in place across the rest of the UK.
Under the new lockdown law, you must stay at home unless you have a "reasonable excuse" to be outside. Your home includes property such as a garden, shed or garage - and also access to it.
The government's lockdown guidance sets out examples of reasonable excuses. Police won't fine you for leaving home to go shopping for essential goods, or to use a business that can remain open, or for going to work or education, training or childcare.
There are other reasonable excuses - such as helping other people in their moment of need. Police chiefs are telling frontline officers to use their judgement if they come across a situation not defined in the regulations.
If you want to take part in a protest, the law does not define that as a reasonable excuse to leave home. There is, however, an exception for joining a picket as part of lawful industrial action.
Will police arrest me for exercising?
Exercise is one of the reasonable excuses for being outside in a public space. You cannot be fined for exercising.
But there has been enormous confusion since last March over how long people could exercise for. Cabinet Minister Michael Gove pronounced that spring that he thought half an hour was enough.
There are also questions over how far you can go to exercise. Boris Johnson has been criticised for travelling seven miles from Downing Street to go cycling during lockdown.
There are no restrictions in law in England on how you exercise and for how long. You cannot exercise in groups, but you can run or go on a wander with someone else from your household, support bubble or one person you don't live with.
The government's Covid guidance for exercise explains that law - and mixes it with a non-legal recommendation to only go out once a day - and to stay local.
It says local "means stay in the village, town, or part of the city where you live", but that has no legal force.
Image source, Getty Images
Derbyshire Police have been taking the "stay local" principle seriously. Officers have issued tickets to people who drive five miles to their local beauty spot - including two women accused of an illegal picnic because they were carrying takeaway cups of tea.
Will the police fine me for mingling?
They might. This refers to the ban on "gatherings".
The last-but-one version of the restrictions made it a potential crime to "mingle". That language has now gone from the law - but the rules are far stricter.
While the law in England doesn't criminalise bumping into someone in the street, you can no longer meet anyone socially - other than those in your household, support bubble or people you care for.
How likely am I to be fined?
The Home Office has given the police an extra £30m to pay for Covid patrols in England and Wales.
Over Christmas there were more than 800 fines for what Home Secretary Priti Patel says were "egregious" breaches of the rules.
The National Police Chiefs' Council hasn't abandoned the Four Es - but expect more fines and more officers asking people what they are doing.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, Police patrols were stepped up around the Scotland-England border around Christmas
For instance, the Metropolitan Police has told officers to issue fines "more quickly" to anyone committing obvious, wilful and serious breaches.
Derbyshire Police, who famously put a drone up over hikers in the first lockdown, has issued a similar warning.
Can police make me cover my face?
Yes - while in shops and on public transport. You could face a fixed penalty notice if you don't.
Image source, Reuters
Can police check whether I'm isolating?
If you have returned from an overseas Covid hotspot, or have been told by the NHS Test and Trace system to stay at home, you must quarantine for 10 days.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules?

The number of people allowed to meet socially is being reduced from 30 to six in England , amid a rise in coronavirus cases .
What do the new rules mean and how will they be enforced ?
What are the new rules on socialising ?
The new limit of six people will apply to social gatherings from Monday .
It will apply both indoors and outdoors , and to all ages .
Pubs , restaurants , shops and other venues will remain open , but people can only attend in groups of up to six .
Venues should also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Similarly , places of worship may remain open but with a limit of six people attending per group .
At present , the rules allow up to 30 people from two households , or six from multiple households , to meet outdoors .
Current guidance says you should only socialise indoors with members of up to two households .
The number of people you can meet is different in other parts of the UK .
Can I be fined for breaking the rules ?
The new measures will mean groups larger than six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Members of the group can be fined if they fail to follow the rules .
This will be £100 for a first offence , doubling on each further offence up to £3,200 .
The government says : `` Putting the new , lower limit in law will make it easier for the police to identify and disperse illegal gatherings . ''
Will any social events of more than six be allowed ?
Some gatherings of more than six people will be allowed , for example : • If your household or support bubble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are for work or education purposes • Team sports organised in a way limiting the spread of coronavirus If you live in a household of more than six you can gather in public or private .
However , you will not be able to join with anyone from outside of your household .
A full list will be published before the law changes on Monday .
• Is it safe to go to the pub ?
• Remember the R number ?
Why is it so important ?
What are the rules and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
If you are meeting outside , the number of people who can gather varies : • In Scotland , up to 15 people from five different households can meet outdoors • In Wales , up to 30 people are allowed to see each other outdoors • In Northern Ireland , the maximum number of people who can meet outdoors has been reduced from 30 to 15 There are also different rules for meetings indoors - at your home , or a venue like a pub : • In Scotland , up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Northern Ireland , up to six people from two households • In Wales , up to four households can form an `` extended household '' What is the guidance on social distancing ?
Each UK nation is advising people to stay 2m ( 6ft ) away from anyone they do n't live with .
However , there are some differences : • In England , if it 's not possible to be 2m away , you can stay `` 1m plus '' apart .
The `` plus '' means doing something else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing a face covering • In Scotland , there are exemptions to the 2m rule in some places - such as pubs and restaurants .
Children aged 11 or under do not need to social distance • In Wales , the 2m guidance reflects the fact it 's not realistic to stay that far apart somewhere like a hairdresser 's .
Primary age children in Wales are also exempt • Northern Ireland 's guidance was 1m ( 3ft ) for a time , but is now back at 2m What about shopping or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you are using public transport across the UK .
Some people are exempt , such as those with certain medical conditions .
Coverings must be worn in shops in England , Scotland and Northern Ireland - but not Wales .
What if I get symptoms ?
You should self-isolate by staying at home for 10 days and arrange to get tested .
• loss of , or change in , your normal sense of taste or smell If your test is positive , you must complete the remainder of your 10-day self-isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolate for 14 days ( from the time you started having symptoms ) .
Contact tracers will also get in touch with people with positive results .
What are the rules in local lockdown areas ?
There are several local hotspots which have seen recent spikes in cases .
• What ca n't I do in the local lockdowns ?
Parts of England and Scotland are currently experiencing local restrictions .
In Wales , the county borough of Caerphilly is being placed under lockdown .
Do I have to social distance myself from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have to distance yourself from are those you live with or , if you are in England , Scotland or Northern Ireland , people in your support bubble .
Single adults living alone or single parents with children under 18 can `` bubble '' with one other household of any size with no social distancing .
In Wales , you do not have to social distance if you are in an `` extended household '' .
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • SUPPORT BUBBLES : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in yours ?
• TEST AND TRACE : How does it work ?
• SCHOOLS : What will happen if children catch coronavirus ?
• TESTING : What tests are available ?

The current restrictions in England don't include any limits on socialising - so friends and family are legally allowed to see each other in private houses, or to meet in public places like pubs and nightclubs.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: Will universities be exempt from the new rules? And other questions

If you and your boyfriend both live alone and in England , you can form a support bubble , which means that you can spend as much as time as you want in each other ’ s company , inside or outside a house .
You don ’ t have to keep a 2m distance from one another , and you can stay overnight at each other ’ s house .
If you are living alone , and your partner is in a shared household ( or vice versa ) , matters get complicated .
You can still form a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also be with his household , and it would be the only bubble allowed to that household .
What this means is that if one of your boyfriend ’ s housemates has a partner who is - like you - living elsewhere and alone , that couple will be prevented from meeting up .
Support bubbles are for the benefit of people who are living alone ( or alone with children ) .
If both you and your boyfriend are living in shared households , you are not allowed to form one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and at a distance of 2m from each other .
Northern Ireland has also introduced support bubbles while Scotland and Wales now allow a similar arrangement known as `` extended households '' .
In all of these , if one person taking part develops symptoms , every member of the bubble or extended household must self-isolate .

How is the government going to protect vulnerable children who remain unvaccinated? My son has cystic fibrosis and will now be forced to mix - he has not had any access to vaccination.
Because your son is in a clinical risk group - and as long as he is over five - he should soon be offered two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. You should be contacted by your GP or specialist team to arrange this.
With regard to the dangers of mixing, the UK has also recommended that Covid vaccines are offered to all children aged 5 to 11, not just those at high clinical risk. This is likely to start in England in April. Children are generally at much lower risk of becoming seriously ill from a Covid infection, although some do still get sick and need hospital care. Over-12s can already be vaccinated, and it's hoped that extending the rollout to younger age groups will help protect even more children from the risk of catching and spreading Covid.
Schools are expected to work with and support families who have concerns about a pupil returning to the classroom. It is compulsory for school-age children to attend, even if they were previously shielding - the only exception is a small number of children whose clinician or GP has advised them not to attend. If you have concerns about this, you should talk to your doctor.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Scottish deaths up a third at height of pandemic

The number of people who died in Scotland at the height of the coronavirus outbreak was a third higher than usual , according to official figures .
National Records of Scotland ( NRS ) said 18,201 deaths had been registered between April and June .
This was 4,515 higher than the five-year average .
Covid-19 was the underlying cause in 3,739 deaths , accounting for 83 % of the excess deaths .
Deaths from diabetes , dementia and Alzheimer 's Disease were about a quarter higher than the five-year average , the NRS said .
And deaths from diseases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , deaths from respiratory diseases decreased by 20.6 % and deaths from transport accidents were down by 69.1 % .
Chief Medical Officer Gregor Smith said the reasons for the higher than usual number of deaths would be better understood `` in the fullness of time '' , and urged people to seek treatment for any medical concerns they may have .
The three-month period covers the height of the coronavirus lockdown in Scotland when schools and businesses were closed , and traffic on all roads was significantly reduced .
Regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland was placed on an emergency footing in mid-March to deal with the outbreak .
Accident and Emergency attendances dropped to below half their normal levels during April , Public Health Scotland data shows .
It is also possible that some deaths attributed to other causes at the start of the outbreak were undiagnosed Covid-19 cases .
Dr Smith said there were `` signals '' from the latest data that `` shows excess deaths go beyond what we would expect directly from Covid '' , highlighting those linked to Alzheimers and dementia in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to understand why that is the case - are these deaths being contributed to by Covid , or are they for some other reasons ?
`` Over the fullness of time we will be able to much better understand why these deaths are apparent in the system . ''
Earlier in the pandemic there was a concern that an increase in deaths linked to cardiovascular conditions may have been down to `` people not presenting for treatment '' when they needed it .
Dr Smith said : `` The message we 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgent conditions , the NHS remains open .
`` If you have symptoms we urge you to seek help and do n't just sit on it - there is capacity in the NHS for you to get the care you need . ''
Age Scotland said the steep rise in excess deaths from dementia , diabetes and other causes during the lockdown was `` extremely concerning '' and needed further investigation .
The charity 's chief executive , Brian Sloan , said older people had `` borne the brunt '' of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dying from other causes .
`` While it 's hard to speculate on the reasons , it 's likely there is a link to the pandemic , '' he said .
`` We know that health and social services were under a huge strain during these months , and many people were reluctant or unable to seek medical assistance . ''
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said every death linked to the virus `` represents the loss of an irreplaceable individual '' .
The latest NRS report said only two deaths had been recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was mentioned on the death certificate , with none of them in care homes for the first time in the pandemic .
However , Ms Sturgeon warned that people must be vigilant about increasing numbers of cases .
And she did not rule out Scotland following England in reducing the number of people who can meet at the same time .
She said the number of new cases of coronavirus reported each day in Scotland had `` roughly trebled '' over the past three weeks .
The rolling seven day average of new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 152 - compared to 52 three weeks earlier .
The percentage of people tested who return a positive result has also gone up from being `` around 1 % '' to consistently being around 2 % .
Ms Sturgeon said : `` I hope you can see why the situation just now is a matter of concern to us , and why we need to continue to work as hard as we can to keep the virus under control . ''
• IMPACT : How is the pandemic affecting life in Scotland ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in Scotland ?
• QUIZ : How well do you know the Covid restrictions ?
• BACK TO SCHOOL : Can a school insist on a Covid test ?
• LOCKDOWN EASING : What changes next - and when ?

Ms Sturgeon said: "I hope you can see why the situation just now is a matter of concern to us, and why we need to continue to work as hard as we can to keep the virus under control."


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: Behind the rise in cases in five charts

Officials are alarmed by the latest rise in coronavirus cases .
Newly diagnosed cases have topped 2,000 for the past three days .
The average rate of new infections is now four times higher than it was in mid-July .
The rise is real , but is it quite as sharp as it looks ?
Here are five things to consider .
The confirmed cases chart is one we have all got used to .
It shows the number of positive Covid-19 tests a day .
In April , there were days when 6,000 new cases a day were recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past few days appears to be some way towards that peak .
But at the start of the pandemic , the UK was only largely able to test hospital patients .
There was limited testing capacity .
This targeted testing meant infections in the community were completely missed , whereas now we have mass testing in the community .
It means that if we compare numbers now to numbers during the peak , we are essentially comparing apples with pears .
Estimates from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 cases a day at the end of March .
Mass testing in the community only started in the second half of May .
Clearly not all cases are now being picked up , although the surveillance programme run by the Office for National Statistics suggests a large proportion are , whereas earlier in the pandemic maybe only 5 % of cases were being detected .
So while cases may be rising , the level of infection being seen is still very low compared with the peak .
Even after mass testing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out on a daily and weekly basis has still been increasing .
This is because more testing centres have opened and lab capacity to process the tests has increased .
It means we are able to look more closely for virus circulating in the community than we were when mass testing first started .
If you look at the trend solely in terms of positive cases , the pattern looks like this : But we have to factor in that big increase in testing - there has been an 80 % rise since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers of tests carried out and calculate the percentage of positive tests , the trend looks more like this : The rise seems to be smaller , slower and to have happened more recently .
• How do I get a coronavirus test ?
• Cases are rising , what should I do ?
• What is the R number and how is it calculated ?
The increase in testing capacity means the government now has a flexible army of testing facilities .
A network of more than 100 mobile units can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current problems with lab capacity , which have meant some people in some places have struggled to get a test , resources are still being focused on areas with the highest rates .
Random testing in neighbourhoods has also started in hotspot areas , with people offered tests even if they do n't have symptoms .
By looking in areas with highest rates of infection , you are more likely to get positive tests .
It is telling that over the past week to Sunday , a quarter of new cases were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest rates .
They represent just 5 % of total local authorities .
4 .
Hospital admissions are n't rising as much as cases Over the past few days hospital admissions have started to slowly tick up - though not as much as cases , and it 's too soon to know if this is statistically significant .
They are a small fraction of the number of admissions back in March , and they are rising much more gradually than they were around the peak .
One theory is that more testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases which do n't need treatment .
Another is that more of the cases are among younger people , who are less likely to become very ill .
But the rise suggests the virus could be taking hold in the community again , and could quickly escalate .
Public Health England data shows people in the 20-39 age bracket are testing positive at higher rates than any other age group , and at higher rates than they were earlier in the pandemic .
What 's harder to say is why that is .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that younger people are more likely to have to go out to work , have public facing jobs , live in shared housing and go out to socialise .
But it could also be a function of how eligibility for testing has expanded .
Younger age groups are much less likely to get seriously sick with coronavirus , and so earlier this year would not have found themselves in hospital where they would have been tested .

The confirmed cases chart is one we have all got used to. It shows the number of positive Covid-19 tests a day. In April, there were days when 6,000 new cases a day were recorded, so the level of infections in the past few days appears to be some way towards that peak.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda tests cause concern

Merthyr Tydfil could be the next area in Wales to see a local lockdown , according to a health data expert .
The former head of health analysis at the Office for National Statistics highlighted the rising proportion of positive coronavirus tests in the area .
In the past seven days , 6 % of tests in and around Merthyr were positive .
That is more than the 5.1 % in Caerphilly , which has gone into lockdown , and almost double the 3.2 % in Rhondda Cynon Taff .
In Caerphilly , the opening dates of testing centres at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House council offices have been extended until 15 September .
At Porth , in Rhondda Cynon Taff , a temporary testing centre will open at Oldway House from 09:30 BST on Thursday .
Rhondda MP Chris Bryant has warned a local lockdown could be enforced in the area `` by the weekend '' if cases continued to rise .
But data expert Jamie Jenkins said : `` If you look at the data across the whole of Wales , Merthyr Tydfil would be the one you would be more concerned about rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said fewer people were talking about Merthyr rather than Rhondda Cynon Taff `` because the numbers are smaller but the local authority of Merthyr is much smaller . ''
• Rhondda Cynon Taff could be in lockdown 'in days' He added : `` But if we 're looking at where the next risk of a local lockdown is going to be , it 's probably Merthyr above [ RCT ] , if they apply the same principle of looking at the stats . ''
Merthyr Tydfil council has been asked to comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also `` a concern '' , said Mr Jenkins , with the proportion more than doubling , from 1 % to 2.5 % in the space of the past four weeks .
How many cases have there been in Merthyr ?
The case rate - the proportion of cases for the size of its population - is now 51.4 per 100,000 - which is 31 cases in the past seven days .
It has the highest case rate total after Caerphilly , which is 83.4 per 100,000 .
The rate in Rhondda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21.9 and in Wrexham it is 20.6 .
Public Health Wales is investigating a small number of cases at a factory in Merthyr .
More than 250 people work at the General Dynamics plant , which assembles armoured vehicles for the Army .
The Welsh Government felt it had little option but to introduce a local lockdown in Caerphilly county , because of a dramatic rise in the coronavirus case rate - the proportion of cases to the population .
Not quite as startling , but still significant , has been the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Merthyr Tydfil .
But public health experts wo n't just be looking at those figures , they are also looking at how many tests are coming back positive .
The average in Wales over the last week has been 2.5 % , but in Caerphilly it 's more than double that - 5.1 % In RCT currently , about three tests in every 100 come back positive .
That 's actually that 's lower than Newport .
But if we look at Merthyr Tydfil , 6 % of tests are coming back positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ringing .
I believe if that was replicated across Wales , we might be back to a blanket lockdown .
As it stands , it seems almost inevitable there will be more restrictions as time goes on .
But they might be different , depending on local circumstances .
The message health officials are trying to stress at the moment is , wherever you live , is if you want to avoid a form of local lockdown , be careful , observe social distancing and take the coronavirus risk seriously .
Will Rhondda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to care homes in the county have already been stopped , while six supermarkets have been given improvement orders after checks by public health officials found they were not adhering to coronavirus regulations .
They are Tesco in Talbot Green , Aldi and Morrison 's in Porth , Lidl in Aberdare , Iceland in Taff Street , Pontypridd , and Co-op in Ynysybwl .
They have 48 hours to correct the issues highlighted or they could face further action , including closure .
There have been warnings over social distancing due to small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The spread of Covid-19 here has so far been of a different nature to the infections in Caerphilly , where there has been community transmission .
Council leader Andrew Morgan said there were just days to `` get on top '' of rising infections and a temporary testing centre has opened in Porth .
Mr Morgan also announced pubs would be inspected in a similar way to check they were complying with legislation .
`` We do n't want to see pubs having to close early or be closed altogether , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a coronavirus test ?
Mr Bryant also said he feared a lockdown could be imminent : `` If we carry on as we are then there will be a lockdown , perhaps by the weekend , because a small minority of people are being fundamentally irresponsible .
`` They are refusing to isolate when they come home from holiday , refusing to be tested when they are showing symptoms , going to caravan sites in groups of six , seven , eight families together , holding parties in houses , giving false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be traced .
`` The truth is that we are all in this together .
Some people think they and the people they love are magically immune but if we do n't take this seriously there will be a major lockdown , which will affect people 's livelihoods and finances . ''

Coronavirus: Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda tests cause concern Published 9 September 2020
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Image source, Getty Images Image caption, There are fears about the rising number of coronavirus cases in some valleys areas
Merthyr Tydfil could be the next area in Wales to see a local lockdown, according to a health data expert.
The former head of health analysis at the Office for National Statistics highlighted the rising proportion of positive coronavirus tests in the area.
In the past seven days, 6% of tests in and around Merthyr were positive.
That is more than the 5.1% in Caerphilly, which has gone into lockdown, and almost double the 3.2% in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
In Caerphilly, the opening dates of testing centres at the town's leisure centre and Penallta House council offices have been extended until 15 September.
At Porth, in Rhondda Cynon Taff, a temporary testing centre will open at Oldway House from 09:30 BST on Thursday.
Rhondda MP Chris Bryant has warned a local lockdown could be enforced in the area "by the weekend" if cases continued to rise.
But data expert Jamie Jenkins said: "If you look at the data across the whole of Wales, Merthyr Tydfil would be the one you would be more concerned about rather than Rhondda Cynon Taff."
Mr Jenkins said fewer people were talking about Merthyr rather than Rhondda Cynon Taff "because the numbers are smaller but the local authority of Merthyr is much smaller."
He added: "But if we're looking at where the next risk of a local lockdown is going to be, it's probably Merthyr above [RCT], if they apply the same principle of looking at the stats."
Merthyr Tydfil council has been asked to comment.
The number of positive tests across Wales was also "a concern", said Mr Jenkins, with the proportion more than doubling, from 1% to 2.5% in the space of the past four weeks.
How many cases have there been in Merthyr?
The case rate - the proportion of cases for the size of its population - is now 51.4 per 100,000 - which is 31 cases in the past seven days.
It has the highest case rate total after Caerphilly, which is 83.4 per 100,000.
The rate in Rhondda Cynon Taff is 41.4, in Powys 21.9 and in Wrexham it is 20.6.
Public Health Wales is investigating a small number of cases at a factory in Merthyr.
More than 250 people work at the General Dynamics plant, which assembles armoured vehicles for the Army.
The Welsh Government felt it had little option but to introduce a local lockdown in Caerphilly county, because of a dramatic rise in the coronavirus case rate - the proportion of cases to the population.
Not quite as startling, but still significant, has been the case rate rises in Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr Tydfil.
But public health experts won't just be looking at those figures, they are also looking at how many tests are coming back positive.
The average in Wales over the last week has been 2.5%, but in Caerphilly it's more than double that - 5.1%
In RCT currently, about three tests in every 100 come back positive. That's actually that's lower than Newport.
But if we look at Merthyr Tydfil, 6% of tests are coming back positive, so no wonder alarm bells are ringing.
I believe if that was replicated across Wales, we might be back to a blanket lockdown.
As it stands, it seems almost inevitable there will be more restrictions as time goes on.
But they might be different, depending on local circumstances.
The message health officials are trying to stress at the moment is, wherever you live, is if you want to avoid a form of local lockdown, be careful, observe social distancing and take the coronavirus risk seriously.
Will Rhondda Cynon Taff go into lockdown?
Visits to care homes in the county have already been stopped, while six supermarkets have been given improvement orders after checks by public health officials found they were not adhering to coronavirus regulations.
They are Tesco in Talbot Green, Aldi and Morrison's in Porth, Lidl in Aberdare, Iceland in Taff Street, Pontypridd, and Co-op in Ynysybwl.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Rhondda Cynon Taff is facing the possibility of lockdown
They have 48 hours to correct the issues highlighted or they could face further action, including closure.
There have been warnings over social distancing due to small clusters around Porth, Penygraig and Tonypandy.
The spread of Covid-19 here has so far been of a different nature to the infections in Caerphilly, where there has been community transmission.
Council leader Andrew Morgan said there were just days to "get on top" of rising infections and a temporary testing centre has opened in Porth.
Image caption, Morrison's in Porth is one of six shops found to be not adhering to coronavirus regulations
Mr Morgan also announced pubs would be inspected in a similar way to check they were complying with legislation.
"We don't want to see pubs having to close early or be closed altogether," he said.
Mr Bryant also said he feared a lockdown could be imminent: "If we carry on as we are then there will be a lockdown, perhaps by the weekend, because a small minority of people are being fundamentally irresponsible.
"They are refusing to isolate when they come home from holiday, refusing to be tested when they are showing symptoms, going to caravan sites in groups of six, seven, eight families together, holding parties in houses, giving false names to pubs so they can't be traced.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--World suicide prevention day: 'Could I have stopped my dad killing himself?'

If you stop someone in the street and ask what the words `` male suicide '' brings to mind they 'll probably mention a singer , maybe Kurt Cobain or Keith Flint , or perhaps a footballer , such as Gary Speed .
Most likely it will be someone who became famous when they were young , perhaps lived a life of excess , and did n't make it to the relative stability and equanimity of middle age .
In my father 's case , the loss of his 45-year marriage partner , whom he had cared for devotedly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His retirement had not brought the contentment it had promised , and no number of visits from his children could dispel his loneliness .
He had little in the way of a social circle - another factor that differentiates older men from women , who tend to be better socially connected .
He was all about the simple pleasures , from an afternoon nap to a Slurpee on a hot day .
He once broke an incisor chomping into a frozen Mars bar that had been in the fridge too long .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time he found an exotic-looking French lager on bulk sale in a Calais supermarket and duly loaded up the car boot with several crates , only to find when cracking one open back in England that it was a sickly sweet shandy with a minuscule alcohol content .
I 'll never forget his swearing at the moment of realisation , before the hilarity of the error took hold .
It must have taken at least a year to get through them all .
He pretended to have `` grown fond '' of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fooling anyone .
While Dad was never officially diagnosed with depression , my siblings and I , fully aware of his isolation and anxieties , convinced him to move from his rural home to a wardened retirement property closer to us all .
While he agreed to this at first , saying he 'd do whatever we thought best , he later became hesitant and obstructive when it came to viewing properties , and non-committal on whether he wanted to move at all .
`` When young people talk about suicide or say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older adults are more likely to say 'There 's no place for me ' or ' I do n't want to be a burden ' , '' says Patrick Arbore .
`` While we 're thankfully more sensitive to the effects of outside pressures on young people , such as bullying and online harassment , we miss clear warning signs with older adults . ''
How to get help The most poignant forewarning was the last .
One afternoon Dad turned up at my house , 70 miles away , just to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something he 'd never done before .
Gratified by this unexpected social effort I gladly chatted with him over coffee , suggesting we all go away for a family holiday once he 'd sold up , and then after a hug he was gone again .
It was the last time I saw him , as a couple of weeks later he was gone for good .
I know now that he was saying goodbye .
My feelings of guilt started early because I had been able to see first-hand how lonely he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little to do except watch daytime TV .
As a childless freelancer , I could spend weeks with him at a time , working from his house and a local library .
When it was time to return home he would sometimes ask if I could stay one more day , which I could n't always agree to .
So I would feel guilty and despondent on those long drives back .
Then , during one of my final visits , he asked if I would consider moving back in with him full-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it just would n't have worked out for me , a man in my late 30s , to be cohabiting with his father again in a rural dwelling .
I ca n't help but look back on it all with profound sadness , knowing what was to come next .
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My feelings of guilt started early because I had been able to see first-hand how lonely he was, rattling around his home with little to do except watch daytime TV. As a childless freelancer, I could spend weeks with him at a time, working from his house and a local library. When it was time to return home he would sometimes ask if I could stay one more day, which I couldn't always agree to. So I would feel guilty and despondent on those long drives back. Then, during one of my final visits, he asked if I would consider moving back in with him full-time, which I had to decline as it just wouldn't have worked out for me, a man in my late 30s, to be cohabiting with his father again in a rural dwelling. I can't help but look back on it all with profound sadness, knowing what was to come next.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Fantasy football: Maths and patience 'are how to win'

It 's the most wonderful time of the year .
Not Christmas - but the return of Premier League football , which for wannabe football managers means the return of something equally important - fantasy football .
A chance to unleash our inner Pep Guardiola , Jose Mourinho or Jurgen Klopp and win bragging rights over our mates .
But just how can you maximise your chances of winning a game with over seven million players ?
With the season starting this weekend , Radio 1 Newsbeat 's been chatting to Josh Bull - a maths whiz and the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - to find out .
Josh initially started playing Fantasy Premier League to join in with his family .
`` I was never expecting to be any good at fantasy football .
I 've not historically been brilliant at anything sport related , so it 's a very odd feeling indeed , '' the 29-year-old says .
The free-to-enter competition is the world 's biggest fantasy football contest and involves competitors being awarded points depending on how well the players they choose do in matches in real life .
`` It 's only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was going to take it seriously , see how well I could do and if I could finally beat my sister . ''
And that , he did .
It 's easy to see why Josh has done so well .
Along with being the number one strategist in fantasy football , he 's a researcher at the University of Oxford 's Mathematical Institute , working on cancer research .
You might not think maths and fantasy football have much crossover , but Josh says it can help .
He analyses his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mathematically optimal approaches to fantasy football '' .
`` Maths is a brilliant tool for understanding complex systems .
We can repurpose the tools we use to understand cancer research , to understand fantasy football in more detail . ''
He uses mathematical modelling , similar to that in his cancer work , to create different scenarios and pick the one which could have the best outcome .
He says controlling everything like this leads to a `` much deeper understanding '' of what can impact the results .
For fantasy football , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the best to select as captain each week - a crucial role which gets double points .
`` There 's lots of different things that can impact that decision .
But in a simulation , I can generate tens of thousands of teams and see what the effects of choosing my captain might be , '' Josh adds .
But it 's not just about the maths .
To get the best out of his team , Josh uses a similar approach to many of the top football managers around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very patient with my players , and being tolerant of players having one or two bad weeks . ''
It 's easy to get frustrated and replace players , but `` you have to accept there 's inbuilt variants in the game '' .
`` Even the best players can have a bad day at the office . ''
Another similarity between Josh and elite managers is planning which players to pick weeks in advance .
`` I think the skills that are involved to be a good football manager include thinking strategically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the long term . ''
So as you 'd expect , Josh has a list of players that he 'll be looking to buy in the game .
His top five players to pick if he `` had unlimited money '' in the game are some of the big stars of the Premier League .
`` I 'd definitely have Mo Salah and Kevin De Bruyne as they were good for me last year . ''
Bruno Fernandes , Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Jamie Vardy are also on his must-have list .
Josh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late drama so typical of the Premier League .
He originally came second , but the Premier League said its initial winner Aleksandar Antonov was stripped of his crown for `` a breach of our terms '' .
Aleksandar said he believes this this was due to comments he made `` in a moment of frustration '' about a Premier League player in a private message he sent to friends which was `` taken out of context '' .
That pushed Josh into first place and made him number one in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you do n't have Josh 's maths skills , you can still do well at fantasy football , he says .
`` Be patient with your players .
Do n't be afraid to take some risks and make sure you have fun . ''
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

"It's only in the last year that I decided I was going to take it seriously, see how well I could do and if I could finally beat my sister."


bbcuk--2020-09-09--What is the Climate Assembly and how does it work?

What is the Climate Assembly ?
Why was the assembly created ?
But they 're fearful of making policies that affect how people live their lives - how we heat our homes , what we buy , how we travel , and what we eat .
So the assembly was formed to help a group of people learn about climate change , and then suggest how it should be tackled .
What changes does the report call for ?
There are so many findings it 's hard to know where to start .
But one was the proposed tax on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fastest-growing source of emissions .
How were the assembly members selected ?
The remaining 20 % were randomly selected from the most deprived areas within the same file , because response rates are estimated to be lower from these postcodes .
This way , a pool of potential participants was created .
The administrators then used computer random sampling to select the participants across a range of age , gender , education , ethnicity , address , urban and rural areas , and pre-existing attitudes to climate change .
Has anything like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such gathering in the UK .
The previous assembly was on social care in 2018 , but it was a much smaller exercise .
Ireland set up an assembly in 2016 to help break the jam over the contentious issue of abortion , and that was considered a success .
What was the main question asked ?
Instead , they were asked to indicate the best way for the UK to achieve its own law on climate change .
The law stipulates that the UK should reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from , say , parts of industry should be captured by activities like planting trees to soak up the carbon .
Will there be objections to the way the assembly was arranged ?
Well , people who do n't agree with the Climate Change Act - the law that sets the 2050 net zero target - may argue that it should n't have been used as a reference point for discussions .
Likewise , groups such as Extinction Rebellion argue that the UK law on emissions is too lax to protect the climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier than 2050 .
Will the assembly report have any impact ?
The MPs have asked the prime minister to respond to the report before Christmas .

What is the Climate Assembly and how does it work? Published 10 September 2020
Image source, FRANS LANTING, MINT IMAGES / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
The Climate Assembly was set up by a group of committees in Parliament 2019 to help the UK tackle climate change.
But what is the assembly, and how does it work?
What is the Climate Assembly?
It's a group brought together to puzzle through one of the great questions of our age: how to cut the carbon emissions that are damaging the climate - without losing public support?
The 108 members were selected to represent a wide range of views from all over the UK.
They met over six weekends and committed 60 hours to studying and debating climate change policies.
Their report is no bedtime read… it's 556 pages (with pictures, of course).
Why was the assembly created?
Politicians have pledged to cut the carbon emissions which are overheating our climate.
But they're fearful of making policies that affect how people live their lives - how we heat our homes, what we buy, how we travel, and what we eat.
Often when ministers propose policies restricting emissions, some people angrily object.
So the assembly was formed to help a group of people learn about climate change, and then suggest how it should be tackled.
What changes does the report call for?
There are so many findings it's hard to know where to start. But one was the proposed tax on frequent flyers - because flying is our fastest-growing source of emissions.
Flying: As most people do not fly frequently, members say they're happy to see more taxes on people who do fly often. There would be complaints, though, from people with relatives abroad.
Driving: They want to phase out sales of the most polluting cars, like many SUVs, to deter cars from city centres and gradually shrink the number of miles driven. The government will publish its own low-carbon transport policy soon.
Meat eating: Members don't think politicians should force them to cut down on meat, but should encourage people to eat 20-40% less, because of meat farming emissions. Ministers often stay silent on such a controversial issue.
Home heating: Members accept that we should wean ourselves off gas for heating, as it's fuelling climate change. But they say the government must take care of the poorest in society - and ensure clean heating systems are affordable.
How were the assembly members selected?
This was a real task. First, the organisers sent 30,000 invitation letters to people across the country.
Then 80% of those receiving an invitation were randomly selected from every address in Royal Mail's Postcode Address File.
The remaining 20% were randomly selected from the most deprived areas within the same file, because response rates are estimated to be lower from these postcodes.
This way, a pool of potential participants was created. The administrators then used computer random sampling to select the participants across a range of age, gender, education, ethnicity, address, urban and rural areas, and pre-existing attitudes to climate change.
Image source, Getty Images
Has anything like this happened before?
It's the second such gathering in the UK. The previous assembly was on social care in 2018, but it was a much smaller exercise.
Ireland set up an assembly in 2016 to help break the jam over the contentious issue of abortion, and that was considered a success.
What was the main question asked?
The assembly members were not asked whether they accepted climate science or not.
Instead, they were asked to indicate the best way for the UK to achieve its own law on climate change.
The law stipulates that the UK should reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 - meaning that any emissions still coming from, say, parts of industry should be captured by activities like planting trees to soak up the carbon.
Will there be objections to the way the assembly was arranged?
Well, people who don't agree with the Climate Change Act - the law that sets the 2050 net zero target - may argue that it shouldn't have been used as a reference point for discussions.
Likewise, groups such as Extinction Rebellion argue that the UK law on emissions is too lax to protect the climate - it wants to see emissions cut earlier than 2050.
Will the assembly report have any impact?
The assembly members seem more ready to act than some government ministers.
But however persuasive and democratic the assembly's findings appear to be, it'll still be hard for any government minister to face down any future campaign in a daily newspaper against any controversial policy.
The report, though, has already had an impact on the MPs who commissioned it.
They said: "This report provides a unique insight into the thinking of an informed public to the trade-offs and changes required to help deliver on the objective that Parliament has agreed. Their work merits action."


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus prompts surge in people wanting to be nurses

The Covid-19 pandemic is thought to be responsible for a surge in people applying for healthcare qualifications .
The Universities @ @ @ @ @ Ucas ) has reported a rise in applications among all ages across the UK .
@ @ @ @ @ applied for nursing degrees by the end of June , a 16 % rise on @ @ @ @ @ is thought to be down to admiration for the NHS and also people who have @ @ @ @ @ looking for new careers .
One of those people is Mike Blackham , from Birmingham @ @ @ @ @ worked as a skincare specialist in the beauty industry .

The Covid-19 pandemic is thought to be responsible for a surge in people applying for healthcare qualifications.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) has reported a rise in applications among all ages across the UK.
A total of 47,320 people applied for nursing degrees by the end of June, a 16% rise on last year.
The increase is thought to be down to admiration for the NHS and also people who have lost their jobs and are looking for new careers.
One of those people is Mike Blackham, from Birmingham, who before the outbreak worked as a skincare specialist in the beauty industry.
Correspondent: Phil Mackie; Producer: Carole Foster; Camera: Steve Lammiman.
Online editor: Catherine Mackie


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Boris Johnson: 'These measures are not another national lockdown'

The prime minister has said a six-person limit and greater enforcement of the rules would keep schools and businesses open @ @ @ @ @ addressing the new restrictions .
Social gatherings of more than six are being made illegal @ @ @ @ @ surge .
These rules do not apply to schools and colleges , which Boris Johnson @ @ @ @ @ as `` a very , very last resort '' .

The prime minister has said a six-person limit and greater enforcement of the rules would keep schools and businesses open, in a news conference addressing the new restrictions.
Social gatherings of more than six are being made illegal in England as coronavirus cases surge.
These rules do not apply to schools and colleges, which Boris Johnson said should only be closed as "a very, very last resort".


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Terminally ill 83-year-old gets dying wish

An 83-year-old terminally ill woman had her bucket list wish fulfilled when a group of bikers turned up on her @ @ @ @ @ wanted to sit on a Harley-Davidson but she got to experience more than that .

An 83-year-old terminally ill woman had her bucket list wish fulfilled when a group of bikers turned up on her doorstep.
Anne Turner just wanted to sit on a Harley-Davidson but she got to experience more than that.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Newspaper headlines: 'There goes Christmas' and 'PM's £100bn gamble'

© 2020 BBC .
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites .
Read about our approach @ @ @ @

In its editorial, the Times says reneging on obligations under the EU withdrawal agreement would represent "the most serious misstep yet" of Mr Johnson's premiership. It urges the government to rethink - or risk undermining Britain's reputation at home and abroad.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--East Finchley shooting: Fifth murder trial finds man guilty

A man who faced an unprecedented five trials over four years for the shooting of a mother-of-nine and her nephew has been found guilty of murder .
Obina Ezeoke first went on trial in 2017 but it collapsed , while juries in two more failed to reach verdicts and the other was halted by coronavirus .
At his fifth trial , the 28-year-old was found guilty of two counts of murder .
An Old Bailey jury convicted Ezeoke by a majority of 11 to one after deliberating for 41 hours over eight days .
The court heard Ezeoke , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' into Mrs Ekofo 's home on 15 September 2016 just after dawn .
He then shot her 21-year-old nephew , who happened to be staying there that night , while he slept and killed Ms Ekofo in the hall when she went to investigate what had happened .
Prosecutor Mark Heywood QC said the 28-year-old drug dealer had gone to kill one of the teenage boys in the family as `` part of a vendetta of violence '' .
`` His hate was such that he did not falter when confronted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her life as well , '' he said .
The key evidence centred around firearms residue found in Ezeoke 's car , which was used in the getaway , and on his top recovered from a female friend 's home .
Ezeoke , who denied murder , told successive trials he had an alibi for the time of the shootings and suggested the gunshot residue in the vehicle must have been from a previous shooting .
When the fourth trial was halted , the defendant 's lawyer James Scobie QC claimed the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying it `` would be oppressive '' and `` enough is enough '' .
But Mr Heywood successfully argued the `` public interest '' in a case `` of this exceptional kind and such gravity '' .
`` He went to the flat to carry out a revenge attack ...
When he could n't find the person he was looking for , he murdered a young man and a mother-of-nine instead , '' she added .

He then shot her 21-year-old nephew, who happened to be staying there that night, while he slept and killed Ms Ekofo in the hall when she went to investigate what had happened.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: Indoor venues await latest lockdown review

Indoor venues in Scotland including concert halls and theatres will learn later if they can reopen from Monday .
Nicola Sturgeon is due to announce any further changes to lockdown restrictions at her coronavirus briefing .
Venues , along with soft play centres , had been given 14 September as an indicative date to start reopening .
But with cases rising , the first minister has said she would adopt a `` very cautious approach '' .
• Rising cases could put the brakes on lockdown easing Ms Sturgeon has also not ruled out introducing new restrictions following the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures indicate the average number of daily cases has trebled from three weeks ago .
At Wednesday 's briefing she said : `` We are carefully reviewing existing guidance and regulation , as well as considering what new steps may be necessary to keep Covid under control . ''
Boris Johnson has said that gatherings in England will from next week be restricted to a maximum of six , down from the previous limit of 30 .
In Scotland indoor gatherings are currently restricted to eight people from a maximum of three different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously suggested for when indoor soft play areas , theatres and indoor live music venues could resume but not nightclubs .
The Scottish government , however , warned confirmation of this was `` conditional on continued progress in suppressing the virus '' .
If indoor venues do get the go-ahead to reopen , they will need to restrict numbers , enforce physical distancing and increase hygiene measures .
The latest review will also consider whether sports stadiums can open for limited numbers of spectators , with physical distancing in place .
A number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for test events this weekend but the first minister hinted in her coronavirus briefing on Wednesday the return of fans may be delayed .
Scotland moved into phase three of the route map out of lockdown after the 9 July review but restrictions have been lifted in stages .
Some changes , such as the reopening of schools , have taken place but others have been held back until later in the phase .
The last phase-three review resulted in gyms , swimming pools and indoor sports courts being allowed to reopen from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the pandemic affecting life in Scotland ?
• CASES : Where are the latest cases in Scotland ?
• QUIZ : How well do you know the Covid restrictions ?
• BACK TO SCHOOL : Can a school insist on a Covid test ?
• LOCKDOWN EASING : What changes next - and when ?

She said the rise in new cases was "not as rapid as it was earlier in the year" and that prevalence of the virus was lower "thanks to the individual sacrifices that so any of you have made for the greater good".


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: Robin Swann wants Covid-19 rules tightened

Northern Ireland 's health minister has said `` concrete action '' is now necessary to stop the spread of Covid-19 .
Robin Swann said he would recommend the executive tightens restrictions when ministers meet on Thursday .
He said figures suggest `` the time has come that we need to introduce measures to limit contacts between people '' .
He added decisions would be required on whether it would apply to Northern Ireland as a whole or to more localised areas , with higher rates of the virus .
The health minister said he was confident other ministers would agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the hope of avoiding more restrictions at a later date .
Mr Swann told a Stormont press briefing the number of Covid-19 cases in Northern Ireland have been `` rising sharply '' and `` more people of an older age are beginning to test positive '' .
Northern Ireland 's current case rate is 35 per 100,000 people - a figure far above the level at which the UK has imposed quarantine restrictions on other countries , which was a rate in excess of 20 cases per 100,000 people .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country had our figures we would be imposing quarantine on anyone returning from us , '' Mr Swann said .
'More testing is not the explanation' Chief scientific officer Prof Ian Young said there was no area of Northern Ireland where the virus had not hit in recent weeks .
The seven-day rolling average number of cases has increased from about four per day at the start of July to more than 90 by the start of this week - a twentyfold increase .
Prof Young said some people attributed this rise to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried out now than compared to early July , but he disagreed .
`` The average amount of testing has increased about fivefold , during a period when the number of cases has increased by over twentyfold - increased testing is not the explanation , '' he said .
At the start of July , less than 0.5 % of tests were returning a positive result on a seven-day rolling average basis .
That has now risen to just under 2 % of tests , or 1 in 50 .
Prof Young said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been more than 3 % .
That clearly indicates , he said , an increase in the epidemic and an increase in community transmission .
Prof Young added that Northern Ireland was experiencing a `` substantially greater '' number of cases than anywhere else in the UK and Ireland , when looking at infections per 100,000 people .
`` Our position is worse than England , Scotland , Wales or the Republic of Ireland at present , '' he said .
On Wednesday , Northern Ireland 's Department of Health said 49 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past 24 hours .
No new deaths were reported so its toll remains at 567 deaths .
In the Republic of Ireland , three coronavirus-related deaths were reported on Wednesday and 84 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed .
The Republic 's death toll is now 1,781 .
Health officials in Northern Ireland are considering a range of options which could see changes to the rules around social gatherings , the BBC understands .
Northern Ireland 's case rate per 100,000 people is the highest across the UK .
The UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 is approximately 22 , while Northern Ireland 's is more than 35 .
England 's figure would have influenced the government 's decision to limit social gatherings to six people or fewer , with some exceptions , from Monday .
The fact that Northern Ireland 's case rate per 100,000 figure is much higher is bound to influence how the executive decides to act .
Chief medical officer Michael McBride appealed to students to exercise caution , given that many travel home at the weekend .
Asked whether council areas or postcodes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health minister said there would be a `` wide discussion '' at the executive meeting on Thursday .
There have been several local lockdowns in parts of England and Scotland , when public health officials felt the numbers were reaching a level where action needed to be taken to prevent them getting out of control .
Meanwhile , it emerged on Wednesday that visits have been suspended to a ward at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry .
The Western Trust said the move in Ward 50 , which treats vulnerable cancer and haematology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some visits may be allowed in exceptional circumstances , it added .
It comes after four haematology patients died at Craigavon Area Hospital after testing positive for coronavirus..

There have been several local lockdowns in parts of England and Scotland, when public health officials felt the numbers were reaching a level where action needed to be taken to prevent them getting out of control.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Welsh Tory quits Senedd frontbench over prime minister's union stance

A long-serving Welsh Conservative politician has quit his party 's frontbench in the Senedd .
David Melding said recent decisions by Prime Minister Boris Johnson had `` done nothing to lessen '' his anxieties about the future of the United Kingdom .
He had been the Welsh Conservatives ' spokesman on culture and communications , and is due to step down as a Member of the Senedd ( MS ) in May .
Tory Senedd leader Paul Davies said he was sorry to lose Mr Melding .
Mr Melding , who has prepresented South Wales Central since the start of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to Mr Davies in a tweet .
He said he had `` misgivings for some time about aspects of the UK government 's approach to developing a new relationship with the EU and aligning devolved governance with the demands of an internal market in the UK '' .
• New Welsh spending powers set to go to UK • Concern over positive tests in Merthyr and RCT Mr Melding said Wednesday 's publication of the Internal Market Bill had done `` nothing to lessen my anxieties about the dangers facing our 313 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been gravely aggravated by the decisions made in the last few days by our prime minister '' .
The MS had been a spokesman on legal matters within the Tory group .
`` It is clearly not feasible for me to continue in my post of shadow counsel general while holding such reservations , '' Mr Melding said .
He pledged to support Mr Davies from the backbenches .
What is the Internal Market Bill ?
The UK government has said the Internal Market Bill will ensure businesses in the four nations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freely , when the current post-Brexit transition phase ends .
It will require the four governments of the UK to recognise standards made elsewhere .
But it has been dubbed a threat to the union of the United Kingdom by the Welsh Government , which has claimed the proposals would hamper ministers from setting their own standards for goods .
Ministers in Wales are also unhappy with a section of the bill which gives the UK government more powers to spend in Wales , accusing UK ministers of `` stealing powers '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister admitted the bill would also breach international law over the Brexit withdrawal deal .
In response UK ministers say it will give them the power to `` drive our economic recovery from Covid-19 '' .
Mr Davies said : `` I 'm sorry to lose David from my shadow cabinet , he has been a fantastic ambassador for the Welsh Conservatives over 20 years that he has been a member of the Welsh Parliament .
`` I 'm grateful that he will continue to support me from the backbenches . ''

Mr Melding said Wednesday's publication of the Internal Market Bill had done "nothing to lessen my anxieties about the dangers facing our 313 year old union, indeed they have been gravely aggravated by the decisions made in the last few days by our prime minister".


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Angelina Jolie donates to boys' lemonade stand for Yemen

Two best friends who set up a lemonade stand to raise money for the people of Yemen received a donation from a very unexpected source - Angelina Jolie .
The actress read about their campaign on the BBC News website and sent them a note saying she was sorry she could not buy any lemonade but wanted to donate .
Ayaan 's mother said it had been `` a bit bizarre but amazing '' for the appeal .
Adeela Moosa explained the Hollywood star had first contacted her UK representative after finding out about Ayaan and Mikaeel 's campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the family .
At the weekend the boys , who live in Redbridge , received the `` lovely note '' from Ms Jolie along with `` a very generous donation '' , Ms Moosa said .
Asked what the boys had first thought when they found out about it , Ms Moosa said they initially did not know who Ms Jolie was although `` their dads were very excited '' .
They soon realised who the Tomb Raider and Maleficent star was after being shown various clips and films .
`` Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , '' she said .
The pair have sent a video message in response thanking Ms Jolie , telling her that : `` If you ever come to London , feel free to buy a glass of fresh lemonade . ''
Tens of thousands of people have been killed during the civil war in Yemen , while another 24 million are estimated to need humanitarian aid to survive .
Ms Moosa said her donation had raised more awareness about the boys ' efforts and they were being sent money from across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has so far raised more than £67,000 .
As for the best friends , they have both returned to school this week .

Ms Moosa said her donation had raised more awareness about the boys' efforts and they were being sent money from across the world for their ongoing online campaign, which has so far raised more than £67,000.


bbcuk--2020-09-10--Coronavirus: Concerns over Boris Johnson's 'moonshot' testing plans

Scientists and health professionals have raised doubts about Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's `` Operation Moonshot '' plan for mass coronavirus testing .
The PM hopes millions of Covid-19 tests - including some giving results within minutes - could be processed daily .
But experts say there are issues with laboratory capacity for current tests , while the technology for more rapid tests `` does not , as yet , exist '' .
The British Medical Journal says leaked memos show the plan could cost £100bn .
Speaking after his announcement that gatherings in England are to be restricted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the government was `` working hard '' to increase testing capacity to 500,000 tests a day by the end of October .
And he said that `` in the near future '' he wanted to start using testing `` to identify people who are negative - who do n't have coronavirus and who are not infectious - so we can allow them to behave in a more normal way , in the knowledge they can not infect anyone else '' .
• What are the new rules ?
• UK coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : `` We believe that new types of test which are simple , quick and scalable will become available .
They use swabs or saliva and can turn round results in 90 or even 20 minutes .
`` Crucially , it should be possible to deploy these tests on a far bigger scale than any country has yet achieved - literally millions of tests processed every single day . ''
Mr Johnson said a mass-testing programme could be ready by the spring and could help the UK to avoid a second national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council chairman of the British Medical Association , said it was unclear how the so-called Operation Moonshot would work - given the `` huge problems '' currently seen with lab capacity .
Dr Nagpaul added the idea of opening up society based on people testing negative for the virus should be `` approached with caution '' because of the high rate of `` false negatives '' and the potential to miss those who are incubating the virus .
Many experts believe plans to roll out mass rapid testing this winter is unrealistic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the technologies work - millions of tests would then need to be manufactured and distributed .
The focus on this `` moonshot '' plan is perhaps a distraction from the difficult decisions the country faces .
The level of infection is still low - despite the recent rises .
But do not expect them to stay this way .
Respiratory viruses tend to do better in the autumn and winter because of the colder weather and fact people are indoors more .
Ministers will then face the choice of more restrictions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowledge these will damage people 's health in other ways as well as harming education and the economy .
Or let the virus spread , while focusing efforts on protecting the vulnerable - that means protecting care homes and perhaps reintroducing shielding .
Lockdown bought us time , but simply deferred the problem .
Progress has been made in the past six months - there are better treatments , more testing and a network of contact tracers - but perhaps not as much as hoped .
The UK - like all nations - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dr David Strain , clinical senior lecturer at the University of Exeter and chairman of the BMA 's medical academic staff committee , said the mass-testing strategy is `` fundamentally flawed '' and is `` based on technology that does not , as yet , exist '' .
`` The prime minister 's suggestion that this will be as simple as 'getting a pregnancy test ' that will give results within 15 minutes is unlikely , if not impossible , in the timescale he was suggesting to get the country back on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spiegelhalter , a statistician at the University of Cambridge , warned it could also lead to false positives - with hundreds of thousands of people being wrongly told they have coronavirus .
England 's deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries acknowledged that the `` the tricky thing with this is not so much the technology , which I 'm sure we will have in the very short while in weeks to months , the issue actually is how it gets used in practice '' .
`` So that , if you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test , but you feel assured that you do n't have the disease , you do n't end up going back into the workplace . ''
Currently , between 150,000 and 200,000 tests are processed each day .
Testing capacity is reported as being 350,000 a day - and this includes 250,000 swab tests ( which check if you have the virus currently ) as well as 100,000 antibody tests ( which check if someone has already had the virus ) .
Earlier this week a director of the government 's test and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heartfelt '' apology for problems with the testing system , explaining that laboratories , not the testing sites themselves , were the `` critical pinch-point '' .
• One in five with Covid could test negative • Covid tests 'could be picking up dead virus' The UK has drawn up plans to eventually carry out up to 10 million Covid-19 tests a day by early next year - at a cost of more than £100bn , which is approaching the entire annual budget for NHS England , according to a report in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be piloted in Salford from next month .
The government 's chief scientific adviser , Sir Patrick Vallance , said the technology needed to be `` tested carefully '' and it would be `` completely wrong to assume this is a slam dunk '' .
The plans for mass testing come as Scotland launched its new contact tracing app , with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urging as many people as possible to download it .
The contact tracing app being developed in England ran into technical problems and is currently being tested following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson set out a new `` rule of six '' in England , restricting gatherings to a maximum of six people , enforced by police able to issue fines or make arrests , after the UK reported more than 2,000 new coronavirus cases for the fourth consecutive day .
`` If everyone does it [ the rule of six ] , we may well be by Christmas in a position to look at it again , '' Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme .
Former government adviser Prof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take about `` two to three weeks '' to see an effect on the number of cases .
`` So we need to wait at this point and see how much we flatten the curve and then if that 's not sufficient to bring the reproduction number below one , so the epidemic starts shrinking again , then yes , we may need to clamp down on other areas , '' he added .
While young people are testing positive at higher rates , Prof Ferguson said it was unavoidable that the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked about the return to work , he said : `` Certainly I think we should hesitate and maybe pause at the headlong rush to get everybody back into offices .
But some people have to work and I completely understand the concerns in many quarters that everybody working at home has an economic impact , particularly on city centres . ''
Meanwhile , a new law will also require businesses such as pubs , restaurants , hairdressers and cinemas to record customers ' contact details .
The government has also published its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning later this month , with full online learning only as a last resort .
• SUPPORT BUBBLES : What are they and who can be in yours ?
• FACE MASKS : When do I need to wear one ?
• SCHOOLS : What will happen if children catch coronavirus ?
• TESTING : What tests are available ?

And he said that "in the near future" he wanted to start using testing "to identify people who are negative - who don't have coronavirus and who are not infectious - so we can allow them to behave in a more normal way, in the knowledge they cannot infect anyone else".


bbcuk--2020-09-10--Coronavirus: Scotland to 'pause' easing of lockdown rules

The Sottish government has `` paused '' plans to further ease the coronavirus lockdown in due to a rise in @ @ @ @ @ .
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly @ @ @ @ @ for the fullest version .
You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet @ @ @ @ @ .
You can also follow @ BBCBreaking on Twitter to get the latest alerts .


bbcuk--2020-09-10--Brexit: EU has 'serious concerns' ahead of emergency talks with UK

The EU says it has `` serious concerns '' about UK moves to override key parts of the Brexit divorce deal .
EU official Maros Sefcovic was speaking ahead of emergency talks with Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove on how the changes could affect Northern Ireland .
The government says it is trying to protect the UK 's internal market and the Northern Ireland peace process .
Meanwhile , trade talks between the UK 's Brexit negotiator Lord Frost and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier continue .
The source of the EU 's concern is Mr Johnson 's proposed Internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
It addresses the Northern Ireland Protocol - an element of the withdrawal agreement designed to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland .
The bill proposes no new checks on goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain .
It gives UK ministers powers to modify or `` disapply '' rules relating to the movement of goods that will come into force from 1 January , if the UK and EU are unable to strike a trade deal .
• How could the Northern Ireland Brexit deal change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying it would `` ensure the integrity of the UK internal market '' and hand power to Scotland and Wales , while protecting the Northern Ireland peace process .
But critics - including a growing number of Conservative MPs - say the move will damage the UK 's international reputation after a minister admitted the plans break international law .
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she was `` very concerned '' following the tabling of the bill in Parliament , and that such actions `` undermine trust '' with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime minister ) Micheál Martin told broadcaster RTE that `` trust has been eroded '' by Mr Johnson 's actions .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged the government to consider `` the reputational risk that it 's taking in the proposed way forward '' .
Legal analysis circulated among EU member states found that the Internal Market Bill would breach the Brexit deal and could `` open the way '' for the EU to take legal action against the UK .
But EU lawyers say it is unlikely a case could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maros Sefcovic has already spoken to Mr Gove by phone but said he has called this emergency meeting because he wants to hear in person precisely what the government 's intentions are .
Before leaving Brussels , Mr Sefcovic echoed other European leaders when he insisted the withdrawal agreement was not up for renegotiation .
He said he hoped Michael Gove would assure him that the letter , the spirit and the timetable of the agreement would be respected .
If not , there 's talk of Brussels possibly taking legal action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also significant for the future of trade talks between the two sides .
The EU says it still wants a deal but that the UK respecting the withdrawal agreement is a prerequisite .
The meeting of the UK-EU Joint Committee , co-chaired by Mr Gove and Mr Sefcovic , will also be attended by Northern Ireland 's first minister and deputy first minister Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill .
Speaking ahead of the meeting , Mr Sefcovic said : `` I came here to express the serious concerns the EU has over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had lost trust in the UK government he said : `` Let 's hear what Michael Gove will tell me this afternoon . ''
It comes after the Speaker of the US House of Representatives insisted there was `` absolutely no chance '' of a US-UK trade deal if the Northern Ireland peace process was jeopardised .
Nancy Pelosi said in a statement : `` Whatever form it takes , Brexit can not be allowed to imperil the Good Friday Agreement , including the stability brought by the invisible and frictionless border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The UK must respect the Northern Ireland Protocol as signed with the EU to ensure the free flow of goods across the border .
`` If the UK violates that international treaty and Brexit undermines the Good Friday accord , there will be absolutely no chance of a US-UK trade agreement passing the Congress . ''
Meanwhile , the chief negotiators from the UK and the EU , Lord Frost and Mr Barnier , will meet face-to-face later in separate talks to help break the deadlock on negotiations for a future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiations are due to conclude on Thursday , and the UK government has said it is prepared to walk away if progress is not made soon .

The EU issued a statement that was about as furious as any I've ever seen in this kind of context - demanding that the UK government withdraw the controversial plans to override the deal done with the EU last year by the end of the month, and threatening to take legal action if it doesn't happen.


bbcuk--2020-09-10--Winchester school bus bridge crash leaves children injured

The double-decker 's roof was torn off in the crash in Wellhouse Lane , Winchester , shortly after 08:10 BST .
Pupils from Henry Beaufort School `` started screaming '' when the roof fell on top of them , leaving a further 13 needing treatment for minor injuries .
Bus operator Stagecoach South said an investigation into the circumstances was under way .
The three badly hurt children were taken to hospital and the 13 youngsters who suffered minor injuries were treated at the scene , Hampshire Constabulary said .
All pupils on board were aged between 11 and 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 , who was on the top deck of the bus said the roof fell in on top of everyone `` and everyone started screaming '' .
`` It felt like 'am I going to live or am I going to die ' - everyone was crying and shaking it was a huge shock '' , she said .
Fifteen-year-old Robert Johnson , who was on the lower deck of the bus , said : `` I heard crashing upstairs .
I thought we 'd hit the side of the tunnel , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falling down . ''
`` Most of the people hurt just had cuts and were bleeding .
But there were some people with bad injuries , '' he added .
A spokesperson for Stagecoach South said : `` Our thoughts are with the children and their families .
`` We are carrying out an internal investigation into the circumstances involved in the incident and we will continue to provide the emergency services with our full support . ''
Hampshire County Council said staff were providing support to the school `` including our education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with any trauma they may experience '' .
A police spokesman said they were working with the school and county council children 's services to provide support to students and parents .
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"That bus doesn't fit through the bridge - I can't think that a bus route would have been drawn [up] to take it through a bridge that is too low for the bus," he said.


bbcuk--2020-09-10--British Airways owner IAG to cut more flights

British Airways owner IAG is cutting more flights over the next three months as it adjusts to the continuing collapse in demand for air travel .
IAG , which also runs Aer Lingus and Iberia , said quarantine restrictions meant capacity this autumn would be 60 % below 2019 levels .
The group said it had seen a `` delayed recovery '' , and did not expect business to return to 2019 levels until 2023 .
IAG also said BA had reached the outline of a jobs agreement with Unite .
The union has been in a bitter dispute with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The airline , which is aiming to shed up to 13,000 jobs , said that by the end of August some 8,236 employees had left the business , `` mostly as a result of voluntary redundancy '' .
Unite is expected to hold a ballot on the agreement soon .
IAG 's decision to cut more flights than planned follows its previous forecast of a 46 % reduction for the October-to-December period compared with the same quarter last year .
It said it had seen an `` almost complete cessation of new booking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the pandemic , but the easing of country lockdowns boosted ticket sales in June .
However , since July there had been an `` overall levelling off in bookings '' as the UK and other European countries re-imposed quarantine requirements for travellers returning from countries such as Spain .
On Tuesday , EasyJet revealed it will have flown `` slightly less '' than the 40 % of pre-coronavirus pandemic capacity it previously said it would operate between July and September following the government 's decision to impose quarantine restrictions for seven Greek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardest hit by the impact of the pandemic .
British Airways plans to cut up to 13,000 jobs due to the crisis , while EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic are slashing 4,500 roles each .
Operators say the UK 's travel quarantine policy - which requires visitors to high risk countries to isolate on their return - is crushing demand and want the government to back testing at airports instead .
UK government sources have indicated that they are looking at system where the two tests would be eight days apart to further minimise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
They are yet to approve the idea , however , while the prime minister last week warned testing at airports could give a `` false sense of security '' .
In a joint letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday , Airlines UK , whose members include BA , Virgin , Ryanair and EasyJet , called for an extensions of the jobs furlough scheme and air passenger duty waiver .
`` Our industry is in crisis , '' the letter said .
`` In sum , we ask you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery for our sector . ''
IAG also announced on Thursday that it was tapping shareholders for €2.7bn ( £2.5bn ) to help shore up its finances .
The company said the money would be used to reduce debt and help it withstand a prolonged downturn in travel .
Under the fundraising , existing investors will buy new shares at a deeply discounted price - 36 % below the closing price on Wednesday .
The group 's largest shareholder , Qatar Airways , which has a 25.1 % holding , has said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the rights issue , which was announced in July , come two days after new chief executive Luis Gallego took over from long-time boss Willie Walsh .

On Tuesday, EasyJet revealed it will have flown "slightly less" than the 40% of pre-coronavirus pandemic capacity it previously said it would operate between July and September following the government's decision to impose quarantine restrictions for seven Greek islands.