bbcuk--2020-09-29--Artemisia Gentileschi: Five-star reviews for 'the Beyoncé of art history'

The first major UK exhibition of an artist who was overlooked for centuries because of her sex has been hailed as `` thrilling '' and `` magnificent '' .
The Artemisia Gentileschi exhibition at London 's National Gallery is due to open after a six-month Covid-19 delay .
Critics at The Telegraph , The Guardian , The Times and The Evening Standard have all delivered five-star reviews , with the latter calling her `` fantastic '' .
The Guardian 's Jonathan Jones described the exhibition as `` a thrill ride from beginning to end '' and `` the most thrilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Gallery '' .
He wrote : `` This show is a heroic act of resurrection by curator Letizia Treves , who has managed , in the face of the pandemic , to bring together all of Artemisia 's important paintings .
We see her entire .
It 's like being hit by a train . ''
The Times art critic Rachel Campbell-Johnston wrote : `` Printed reproductions can not prepare you for the dramas into which you are about to plunge .
`` Setting out into the territories of the great male @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a unique female slant that lends her retelling a peculiarly complex and perturbing force . ''
BBC arts editor Will Gompertz was also dazzled : `` You leave this excellent show with two questions at the front of your mind : Firstly , has there ever been a better , bolder painter of human drama ?
`` And secondly , why has it taken so long for her to be given a major exhibition in the UK ?
It is possible you 've never heard of Artemisia Gentileschi , but it is impossible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gallery exhibition . ''
• The £3.6m masterpiece hanging in our school The Evening Standard 's Nancy Durrant wrote : `` Artemisia Gentileschi was forgotten about for an awfully long time , and though there 's a tiresomely obvious reason for that , looking at these you ca n't help but think the establishment must have been blind as well as bigoted . ''
Durrant praised Artemisia 's `` first , stunning version '' of Susanna and the Elders , painted when she was 17 , in which `` her female bodies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are the more convincing , possibly because she had one '' .
The 17th Century painter is described by the National Gallery as `` exceptional - she challenged conventions and defied expectations to become a successful artist and one of the greatest storytellers of her time '' .
She was born in Rome in 1593 , and her father , also a painter , began training her when she was 16 .
As a teenager , she underwent torture in court in a judicial attempt to discover whether or not she had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her account .
A friend of her father , Agostino Tassi , was initially found guilty , but his conviction was overturned not long afterwards .
That experience undoubtedly informed some of her later work , including one of her most famous paintings , the brutal Judith Beheading Holofernes .
Shortly after the trial , she married and moved to Florence , joining the city 's Academy of Design in 1616 , the first woman to do so .
She later spent time in Rome , Naples and Venice before moving with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked for Charles I .
Her talent was recognised during her lifetime , but was then largely forgotten until the late 20th Century .
Alastair Sooke , writing in The Telegraph , described her as `` art history 's greatest heroine '' and her work as `` thrilling '' .
`` There are 2,300 works in the gallery 's collection , but only 23 by female artists - including a recently acquired self-portrait by Artemisia .
So this show is a way of redressing the balance . ''
She is `` a sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of female empowerment : the Beyoncé , if you like , of art history '' , Sooke added .
It is the gallery 's first major exhibition devoted to a female historical painter , its director Gabriele Finaldi said .
He said she `` comes across as a very powerful and inspirational figure '' at the start of the 21st Century .
`` In a world of 17th Century art which was dominated by men patrons and men artists , Artemisia found a way to have her own voice heard , to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and she achieved that through extraordinary talent , extraordinary invention but also through very clever connections with patrons and with supporters . ''
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If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

"In a world of 17th Century art which was dominated by men patrons and men artists, Artemisia found a way to have her own voice heard, to have success and autonomous success on her own, and she achieved that through extraordinary talent, extraordinary invention but also through very clever connections with patrons and with supporters."


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Freddie Flintoff's bulimia documentary: 'It gave me a sense of relief'

James Downs describes his battle with bulimia as `` an isolating experience '' .
But he says seeing people like ex-England cricketer Andrew Flintoff - AKA Freddie - discuss the eating disorder in a BBC documentary makes him feel less alone .
`` The more invisible things are , the less likely you are to share things , '' says James .
Experts estimate at least 1.5 million people in the UK - of which 25 % are male - have an eating disorder .
Bulimia is an eating disorder and mental health condition where people binge on food and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or exercises excessively .
• If you need help or support to do with any of the issues raised in this article you can take a look at BBC Action Line .
• Freddie Flintoff : Living with Bulimia is on iPlayer now . '
I had to stop watching at times' In the documentary , Freddie Flintoff describes how his struggle with bulimia began when focus was put on his weight during the early part of his international playing days .
The details of his story made it `` a difficult watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually have to stop it a couple of times , because the things that Freddie was saying were really close to my own experience , '' he says .
James wishes he 'd `` seen people like Freddie '' when he was younger , as he might have felt that it was n't his fault .
`` It 's really difficult when you do n't see yourself reflected in the services around you , or you 're told by this lack of visibility , that your experiences are n't real . ''
'Being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be lonely' Anorexia is usually characterised by someone fasting or starving themselves to lose weight , rather than binging and purging .
`` When I regained weight , I was left with bulimic symptoms , which is quite a common experience for people , '' the 31-year-old tells Radio 1 Newsbeat .
He says it took six years before he got treatment .
`` It 's quite hard to come forward and ask for help , and by the time you get that help , it can be harder to deal with .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' yet and still faces difficulty with bulimia .
`` It 's an ongoing process for me .
And I think if I had help earlier on , then maybe I would n't still be living with an eating disorder now , '' he adds .
`` Thinking about the impact it 's had on my life makes me really sad . ''
Beat - a charity that helps people with eating disorders - say anybody who is worried about themselves or others should seek support as soon as possible .
Rebecca Willgress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disorders `` can affect anyone of any age , gender , race or background .
`` They are serious mental illnesses but we know making a full and sustained recovery is possible . ''
She adds : `` Beat has a helpline that 's open every day of the week for you to phone , and talk through what 's going on .
`` Speak to your GP to find help and the right treatment for you . ''
James thinks Freddie 's documentary will `` lift the lid on the problem '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Being a man with an eating disorder can be especially isolating and lonely , because you do n't hear or see other people like you talking about experiences you 're going through .
`` So when somebody who 's really high-profile does come out and talk about it , it 's a sense of relief . ''
He thinks bulimia often stays further under the radar than anorexia .
`` But the documentary showed you can be at the top of your game and still be really struggling with something that can have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' 'You do n't need to suffer alone' For one 17-year-old , who we are keeping anonymous , there was one part of the documentary which stood out .
`` The moment he thinks about going to a specialist .
That resonates with me because it took me a long time to speak to someone , '' he told Newsbeat .
He feels the documentary will raise awareness and `` let people know you do n't need to suffer alone '' .
It 's been five months since he last made himself sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people around him , like his mum .
`` If I felt like I wanted to be sick , she would make me realise that I am just hurting myself . ''
Not just about vomiting It 's not only men that Freddie Flintoff 's story can help .
Rosie Forder , who 's 20 , thinks someone as high-profile and successful as Freddie Flintoff being so open can help remove stigma around eating disorders .
`` It 's assumed you can just stop purging and just eat properly .
That 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's the case , eating disorders would n't exist . ''
She adds : `` His whole journey of realising that it is n't just purging , but also things like over-exercising , which he was n't aware of before . ''
That 's something Rosie relates to as she did n't initially think her binge-eating was a disorder .
`` I had a similar journey to him when I realised this is an issue .
Especially when I started restricting and thought it went beyond just being on a diet and losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

Freddie Flintoff's bulimia documentary: 'It gave me a sense of relief' Published 29 September 2020
Image source, Getty Images/James Downs
James Downs describes his battle with bulimia as "an isolating experience".
But he says seeing people like ex-England cricketer Andrew Flintoff - AKA Freddie - discuss the eating disorder in a BBC documentary makes him feel less alone.
"The more invisible things are, the less likely you are to share things," says James.
Experts estimate at least 1.5 million people in the UK - of which 25% are male - have an eating disorder.
Bulimia is an eating disorder and mental health condition where people binge on food and then make themselves vomit, take laxatives or exercises excessively.
If you need help or support to do with any of the issues raised in this article you can take a look at BBC Action Line.
Freddie Flintoff: Living with Bulimia is on iPlayer now.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Andrew Flintoff on bulimia: 'It's such a hard thing to admit'
'I had to stop watching at times'
In the documentary, Freddie Flintoff describes how his struggle with bulimia began when focus was put on his weight during the early part of his international playing days.
The details of his story made it "a difficult watch" for James.
"I did actually have to stop it a couple of times, because the things that Freddie was saying were really close to my own experience," he says.
James wishes he'd "seen people like Freddie" when he was younger, as he might have felt that it wasn't his fault.
"It's really difficult when you don't see yourself reflected in the services around you, or you're told by this lack of visibility, that your experiences aren't real."
Image source, James Downs Image caption, James says he's "hardly ever met" male patients like him
'Being a man with an eating disorder can be lonely'
James initially developed anorexia as a teenager.
Anorexia is usually characterised by someone fasting or starving themselves to lose weight, rather than binging and purging.
"When I regained weight, I was left with bulimic symptoms, which is quite a common experience for people," the 31-year-old tells Radio 1 Newsbeat.
He says it took six years before he got treatment.
"It's quite hard to come forward and ask for help, and by the time you get that help, it can be harder to deal with."
James hasn't "fully recovered" yet and still faces difficulty with bulimia.
"It's an ongoing process for me. And I think if I had help earlier on, then maybe I wouldn't still be living with an eating disorder now," he adds.
"Thinking about the impact it's had on my life makes me really sad."
Getting help
Beat - a charity that helps people with eating disorders - say anybody who is worried about themselves or others should seek support as soon as possible.
Rebecca Willgress from the charity tells Newsbeat that eating disorders "can affect anyone of any age, gender, race or background.
"They are serious mental illnesses but we know making a full and sustained recovery is possible."
She adds: "Beat has a helpline that's open every day of the week for you to phone, and talk through what's going on.
"Speak to your GP to find help and the right treatment for you."
James thinks Freddie's documentary will "lift the lid on the problem" and be helpful to men.
"Being a man with an eating disorder can be especially isolating and lonely, because you don't hear or see other people like you talking about experiences you're going through.
"So when somebody who's really high-profile does come out and talk about it, it's a sense of relief."
He thinks bulimia often stays further under the radar than anorexia.
"But the documentary showed you can be at the top of your game and still be really struggling with something that can have a big impact on your health."
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, The BBC has seen TikTok videos encouraging starvation and bulimia.
'You don't need to suffer alone'
For one 17-year-old, who we are keeping anonymous, there was one part of the documentary which stood out.
"The moment he thinks about going to a specialist. That resonates with me because it took me a long time to speak to someone," he told Newsbeat.
He feels the documentary will raise awareness and "let people know you don't need to suffer alone".
It's been five months since he last made himself sick and he credits his progress to the people around him, like his mum.
"If I felt like I wanted to be sick, she would make me realise that I am just hurting myself."
Image source, Rosie Forder Image caption, Rosie says she recognised her own journey in Freddie Flintoff's documentary
Not just about vomiting
It's not only men that Freddie Flintoff's story can help.
Rosie Forder, who's 20, thinks someone as high-profile and successful as Freddie Flintoff being so open can help remove stigma around eating disorders.
"It's assumed you can just stop purging and just eat properly. That's the mentality around it.
"If that's the case, eating disorders wouldn't exist."
She adds: "His whole journey of realising that it isn't just purging, but also things like over-exercising, which he wasn't aware of before."
That's something Rosie relates to as she didn't initially think her binge-eating was a disorder.
"I had a similar journey to him when I realised this is an issue. Especially when I started restricting and thought it went beyond just being on a diet and losing some weight."
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Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Hydrogen-powered train makes UK maiden journey

A hydrogen-powered train has travelled on Britain ’ s rail network for the first time .
The prototype , called @ @ @ @ @ 25-mile round trip in Warwickshire , reaching speeds of up to 50 mph .
Its @ @ @ @ @ the hydrogen tanks , fuel cell and battery out of a carriage and stash them @ @ @ @ @ aim is for the train to start carrying paying passengers by the end of 2021 @

A hydrogen-powered train has travelled on Britain’s rail network for the first time.
The prototype, called the Hydroflex, made a 25-mile round trip through Warwickshire and Worcestershire, reaching speeds of up to 50 mph.
Its next phase is to move the hydrogen tanks, fuel cell and battery out of a carriage and stash them underneath the train.
The aim is for the train to start carrying paying passengers by the end of 2021.
Is the hydrogen tech 'revolution' hope or hype?


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Coronavirus: What is the R number and why does it matter?

Governments around the world keep talking about R0 , also known as the `` Reproduction-number '' or `` R-number '' @ @ @ @ @ that lots of countries are using when it comes to making decisions about lifting and @ @ @ @ @ restrictions should be kept in place and which ones should be lifted .
But what @ @ @ @ @ and why does it matter ?
BBC health correspondent Laura Foster explains what governments are @ @ @ @ @

Governments around the world keep talking about R0, also known as the "reproduction number" or "R number".
It's a measurement that lots of countries are using when it comes to making decisions about lifting and bringing in lockdowns, what restrictions should be kept in place, and which ones should be lifted.
There's an R number for the UK and individual nations, but also for particular areas.
But what exactly is the R number and why does it matter?
BBC health correspondent Laura Foster explains what governments are aiming for and why.
Video by Terry Saunders, Laura Foster and Tobias Chapple


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Birmingham mum turns to pedal power in lockdown deliveries

A Birmingham mother-of-three whose business plan was brought to a halt by lockdown has seen her fortunes change - and @ @ @ @ @ an electric bike called Babs .
Jas Sandhu had planned to create a firm delivering @ @ @ @ @ the city , until Covid-19 restrictions left many offices empty .
Instead , the 40-year-old @ @ @ @ @ a plastic-free , fruit and veg delivery service .
She cycles to Birmingham Wholesale Market @ @ @ @ @ buy produce that she then delivers to households across the city in the evenings .
@ @ @ @ @ three children also help by delivering some food boxes in a hybrid electric van .

A Birmingham mother-of-three whose business plan was brought to a halt by lockdown has seen her fortunes change - and it is all thanks to an electric bike called Babs.
Jas Sandhu had planned to create a firm delivering food to office workers in the city, until Covid-19 restrictions left many offices empty.
Instead, the 40-year-old has created Pedalling Pantry, a plastic-free, fruit and veg delivery service.
She cycles to Birmingham Wholesale Market four mornings a week to buy produce that she then delivers to households across the city in the evenings.
Her partner Carl and their three children also help by delivering some food boxes in a hybrid electric van.
Video journalist: John Bray


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Covid 19: Boris Johnson 'misspoke' over North East restrictions

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has added to confusion over restrictions in north-east England .
Mixing between households in pub gardens @ @ @ @ @ be against advice from midnight .
Speaking at a news briefing Boris Johnson had been @ @ @ @ @ , and responded : `` In the North East and other areas where extra measures @ @ @ @ @ you should follow the guidance of local authorities but it is six in a home @ @ @ @ @ , as I understand it , not six outside . ''
He later sent a @ @ @ @ @ - and stated the amended guidance : `` In the North East , new rules @ @ @ @ @ people from different households in social settings indoors , including in pubs , restaurants and @ @ @ @ @ also avoid socialising with other households outside . ''

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has added to confusion over restrictions in north-east England.
Mixing between households in pub gardens and outdoor restaurants spaces will be against advice from midnight.
Speaking at a news briefing Boris Johnson had been asked to clarify the regulations, and responded: "In the North East and other areas where extra measures have been brought in, you should follow the guidance of local authorities but it is six in a home, six in hospitality but, as I understand it, not six outside."
He later sent a tweet saying he had misspoken - and stated the amended guidance: "In the North East, new rules mean you cannot meet people from different households in social settings indoors, including in pubs, restaurants and your home. You should also avoid socialising with other households outside."
Read more: North East households mixing ban 'confusing'


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Lockdown students: 'There's a communal sense of anger towards the government'

There have been Covid outbreaks in many halls of residence followed the return of students to universities , with many @ @ @ @ @ .
There are no official figures from the government or regulators for the numbers of @ @ @ @ @ a tracking of local reports suggests cases in 49 universities , up from 40 on @ @ @ @ @ Tizzie spoke to the BBC about their frustrations with lockdown guidelines and the way students @ @ @ @

There have been Covid outbreaks in many halls of residence followed the return of students to universities, with many students then having to self-isolate.
There are no official figures from the government or regulators for the numbers of universities with outbreaks, but a tracking of local reports suggests cases in 49 universities, up from 40 on Monday.
Students Seth and Tizzie spoke to the BBC about their frustrations with lockdown guidelines and the way students have been handled.


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Newspaper headlines: PM 'hasn't a clue' and 1m missed breast cancer scans

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

Quentin Letts in the Times offers his analysis of the new BBC director general, Tim Davie, after his appearance before the Commons Culture committee. "Davie is a Mr Fit, geezerish, estuarine, full of marketing zing", he writes. "He is definitely one of life's Tims. Matey. I quite liked him". He adds that Mr Davie is at least not in denial about the "radioactive problems" he faces. The Daily Express predicts he needs to "pursue value for money with a new urgency" and consider an alternative to the licence fee. It adds that "it would be cruel" to demand payment from the over-75s if there's a second lockdown.


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Carole Packman murder: Russell Causley parole to be 'reconsidered'

The decision to release a murderer who has never revealed the whereabouts of his wife 's body will be reviewed after his family lodged an appeal .
Mr Gillingham , 30 , told the BBC : `` Russell Causley is an evil and calculating killer who should not be allowed to be released while he so arrogantly refuses to say what he did with my grandmother 's body .
`` Granting him parole would be an affront to justice and an insult to Carole 's memory . ''
His crime was only exposed when he made a botched attempt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an elaborate insurance fraud .
He has repeatedly changed his account of what happened to Mrs Packman , whose family have said they felt he was `` laughing '' at them when the Parole Board recommended his release .
The family formally challenged the `` irrational '' decision to set Causley free , and claimed that he posed an ongoing threat to their safety .
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said : `` This was a despicable crime and our deepest sympathies remain with Carole Packman 's family , particularly given they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest .
`` After carefully considering the Parole Board 's decision , the Lord Chancellor has asked for it to be reconsidered . ''
Causley was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years .
He has been eligible for parole since 2012 .
The Parole Board previously said it was sympathetic to the family but that the panel was `` bound by law to focus solely on whether an offender 's continued detention is necessary for the protection of the public '' .
Aviation engineer Causley moved his lover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after they had an affair - into the family home on Ipswich Road , Bournemouth , in 1984 .
The day before her disappearance in 1985 , Mrs Packman - then aged 40 - had visited a solicitor to inquire about a divorce .
She was later reported missing by their teenage daughter Samantha , who had witnessed Causley physically and psychologically abusing her mother .
However , Dorset Police reported that Mrs Packman had turned up at a police station to say she was safe and to stop searching for her .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted the force made a `` major mistake '' by not making basic identity checks and now believe the woman at the police station was not Mrs Packman .

The Parole Board previously said it was sympathetic to the family but that the panel was "bound by law to focus solely on whether an offender's continued detention is necessary for the protection of the public".


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Post Office scandal: Scottish probe into sub-postmasters' convictions

An investigation is to be carried out into possible miscarriages of justice involving a controversial Post Office computer system .
More than 70 sub-postmasters prosecuted for offences in Scotland such as fraud and theft are to be asked if they want their case re-examined .
It is the latest legal action in a scandal dating back to 1999 .
Hundreds were accused after the Horizon system showed cash shortfalls at their branches .
Postmasters across the UK were held responsible for missing money because they supposedly had sole control of their Horizon accounts .
It led to many being sacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison .
Although a total of 47 postmasters in England and Wales have had their cases referred to the Appeal Court , there has never been similar action in Scotland .
But now the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission ( SCCRC ) is writing to the people it believes may also have been the victims of possible miscarriages of justice in Scotland relating to the Horizon computer system .
What is the Horizon computer scandal ?
The Horizon system , developed by the Japanese company Fujitsu , was first rolled out in 1999 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a variety of tasks including accounting and stocktaking .
But from an early stage it appeared to have significant bugs which could cause the system to misreport , sometimes even substantial sums of money .
It was difficult for sub-postmasters to challenge errors because they were unable to access information about the software to do so .
After more than 900 prosecutions , 550 sub-postmasters raised civil actions against the Post Office which agreed to pay £58m damages .
The English Criminal Cases Review Commission ( CCRC ) has referred 47 convictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court .
The Director of Public Prosecutions is also considering whether there should be charges of perjury against officials who claimed in court there were no problems with Horizon , even though emails and other documents now suggest they knew there were .
The information leaflet it has sent out said : `` We think that it is possible that your case is one of those .
If it is , we would like to make sure that you have the chance to apply to us .
`` The Post Office identified your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relevant period ( from 1999 ) in which they may have been involved . ''
The appeal cases in England and Wales followed a civil action involving 550 postmasters which resulted in a settlement by the Post Office in 2019 of £58m .
But Daniel Fenn , SCCRC senior legal officer , said it only received data from the Post Office detailing convictions which may have been unsafe once the English action was concluded .
He said : `` We 're talking about 73 cases which may be affected - not definitely - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not complete , so it 's entirely possible there may be other people involved .
`` The 73 individuals , so far as we know , were people convicted in Scotland .
`` There 's a whole range of convictions involved , but in the main they were for fraud and false accounting .
`` Some of them suffered penalties of imprisonment , the majority received community sentences and fines . ''
The SCCRC is asking people to contact it so it can determine whether the Horizon software was involved and attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It said there may be a case to take to appeal even if a victim has now died - or had pled guilty in court in an attempt to reduce the sentence passed .
The National Federation of Subpostmasters ( NFSP ) welcomed the intervention of the SCCRC .
Its chief executive , Calum Greenhow said : `` We ca n't right the wrongs of the past .
`` But what we can do is to ensure that through the Criminal Cases Review Commission those cases are actually brought to appeal . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ even begin to imagine what these people have been through .
It 's a story , but it 's their story .
`` And the reality is that they go to bed at night thinking about it , they wake up in the morning thinking about it .
`` And what we 've got to do is that not only are their reputations restored , but the losses they incurred are refunded as well . ''
The Post Office said it has already been in contact with the SCCRC in relation to historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Horizon evidence .
It said it is conducting an extensive review of historical convictions which relied upon Horizon , to identify and disclose material that might cast doubt on the safety of those convictions .
In a statement it said : `` We are working to fundamentally reform the Post Office , addressing past events to fairly resolve them and to forge an open and transparent relationship with the thousands of current postmasters providing customers with vital services in the UK 's communities . ''

The information leaflet it has sent out said: "We think that it is possible that your case is one of those. If it is, we would like to make sure that you have the chance to apply to us.


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Coronavirus: Warning as NI records highest daily Covid case numbers

Northern Ireland could have 1,000 new Covid cases per day in a month 's time if the present trend continues , the chief scientific adviser has warned .
Another 320 cases were confirmed on Tuesday , the highest daily total since the current tests model was rolled out .
No deaths were reported , the Department of Health 's toll remains at 578 .
Chief Scientific Adviser Prof Ian Young said he believes the public will face this virus `` for the rest of our lives '' as immunity may only last a few months .
However , Chief Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will become better '' and he expressed hope that after a difficult winter , the infection situation will improve by next spring .
In total 11,269 cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed in Northern Ireland since the pandemic began , but 15 % of those have been recorded in the past week .
Three of the highest daily numbers have been confirmed in the past five days .
Previously , the 319 cases documented on Saturday and the 273 on Friday had set new records for the daily change in case numbers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ care wards .
Derry and Strabane District Council area had the biggest upward change on Tuesday , with 72 new cases , followed by Belfast with 71 .
The next highest was Newry , Mourne and Down with 43 additional cases .
The latest number also show there are 27 active outbreaks in care homes .
In the Republic of Ireland , 363 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed and one more person has died , bringing the overall death toll there to 1,803 .
In a media briefing to journalists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trend continues , Northern Ireland could have 1,000 new cases a day in a month 's time .
He said Northern Ireland is currently averaging 250 cases a day and the number of Covid-19 patients in hospital is doubling every 13 days .
In a month , he said that would equate to 200 patients in hospital with the disease .
Prof Young said that in the peak of the first wave of the coronavirus , we had about 300 Covid patients in hospital , but he warned we could pass that within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now do not have the desired effect .
However , the Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride , said : `` It does n't have to be this way . ''
Dr McBride said there was a narrow window of opportunity to intervene and stop the spread , adding the restrictions put in place by the Stormont Executive are beginning to have an impact .
`` We have seen some evidence of the effectiveness of those measures , '' Dr McBride said .
Case numbers in Ballymena , County Antrim are down by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Greater Belfast area is being `` blunted '' .
Ballymena and Belfast were among the first areas to be included in localised lockdowns earlier this month , during which residents were told to restrict household visits and unnecessary journeys .
Prof Young also told the briefing : `` The Covid virus is going to be with us forever , for the rest of our lives . ''
`` We do n't think people do remain immune , we think the natural antibodies to the virus disappear over months rather than years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The best we can hope for is that this will be like seasonal flu and if we 're really fortunate , someday we 'll get a combined seasonal flu and Covid vaccine .
`` Our treatments will become better and we 'll probably need more than one vaccine , but I 've no doubt that we 'll need to have a range of different vaccines . ''

Prof Young said that in the peak of the first wave of the coronavirus, we had about 300 Covid patients in hospital, but he warned we could pass that within six weeks if the actions being taken now do not have the desired effect.


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Broadband 'so bad I work from my friend's shed'

Customers of an internet provider paid about £350,000 in taxpayers ' cash say they are having to work from friends ' gardens to get decent wi-fi .
Carmarthen-based Bluewave promises to provide high speed broadband to people living in rural areas with poor signal .
But some customers have spoken of being without internet `` for weeks '' and the Welsh Government said it had received a `` number of complaints '' .
Bluewave said it took customer complaints very seriously .
The company , which covers most of west Wales , advises new customers to apply for set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broadband Cymru scheme .
According to data seen by the BBC , 432 of their customers have applied for grant funding since 2017 .
With grants averaging between £800 and £900 each , that means the company could have received about £350,000 of public money , through the Welsh Government scheme .
A bid writer for construction and engineering companies , Francesca Nelson has daily online meetings with colleagues all over the world .
But Ms Nelson said she works from her friend 's shed due to her broadband being so unreliable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that what was being provided to us is actually fit for purpose , '' she said .
`` The Welsh Government is spending taxpayers ' money on helping people like me to get wi-fi - which is lovely - but let 's make sure it 's decent wi-fi that actually works for everybody . ''
Artist and illustrator Jackie Morris , who lives near St Davids , recently left Bluewave after months of being frustrated with the service she was receiving from the company .
Ms Morris said she had to tell major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to not having reliable broadband , and claims the company ignored her complaints .
`` There have been times when I 've had no internet for two weeks , no apology , the only thing that has been regular about Bluewave has been their bills once a month , with no respect for the outages , '' she said .
`` The sheer frustration of trying to work , paying for a service which is n't cheap and having to drive to St Davids in order to use somebody else 's broadband to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Ms Morris said that while she had applied for and received a £1,000 grant from the scheme , no-one had ever checked if `` it was working '' .
The Welsh Government said it was aware that some customers were unhappy with their broadband .
`` We have raised these issues with Bluewave in order to seek a resolution .
These discussions are ongoing , '' a spokesman said .
He said it was the applicant 's responsibility to ensure that the equipment and service provided met their requirements .
`` Payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been successfully made , '' the spokesman said .
A forum set up on social media by dissatisfied Bluewave customers now has more than 80 members - all complaining about the service .
Bluewave said the network was monitored in real time and it had invested heavily in infrastructure over the past 12 months .
It said customers were given personal mobile numbers to stay in touch out of normal operating hours and most faults were solved on the same day or over the phone .
`` Your report is an opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and apologise to anyone who feels they have been let down , '' a statement said .
The telecoms regulator confirmed it had received complaints about the company but was not considering enforcement action at this time .
Elinor Williams of Ofcom said enforcement powers were a last resort and it preferred to work with companies to make improvements .
`` It is challenging because these are small companies and they do n't have the financial back up that some of the bigger players have , '' she said .

Ms Morris said she had to tell major festivals she could not appear live due to not having reliable broadband, and claims the company ignored her complaints. "There have been times when I've had no internet for two weeks, no apology, the only thing that has been regular about Bluewave has been their bills once a month, with no respect for the outages," she said.


bbcuk--2020-09-29--North East households mixing ban 'confusing'

The government has been accused of creating `` doubt and uncertainty '' with its announcement of tighter coronavirus restrictions in north-east England .
People who break a new law banning households from mixing indoors , including in pubs , will be fined .
But Newcastle Council leader Nick Forbes said a lack of detail about the measures had led to `` confusion '' .
The prime minister has apologised after he `` misspoke '' about the tighter restrictions when questioned earlier .
Mr Forbes said having a `` gap between what 's announced in headlines and the details that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of community consent '' .
`` What that does is sow confusion , it creates doubt , it creates uncertainty , '' he added .
When he was asked about the new regulations , Prime Minister Boris Johnson said : `` In the North East and other areas where extra measures have been brought in , you should follow the guidance of local authorities but it is six in a home , six in hospitality but as I understand it , not six outside . ''
He has since issued a tweet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today .
`` In the North East , new rules mean you can not meet people from different households in social settings indoors , including in pubs , restaurants and your home .
`` You should also avoid socialising with other households outside . ''
• What are the new rules on socialising in the North East ?
Education minister Gillian Keegan was earlier unable to clarify whether the new restrictions stopped people meeting outside in pub and restaurant gardens , as well as inside .
Speaking on BBC Radio 4 's Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't know the answer to that question . ''
Ms Keegan was pressed on how people were supposed to keep up to date with the latest restrictions when ministers could not but said : `` I 'm sorry I ca n't answer that question .
`` I 'm sure there are many people who could - I do n't represent the North East . ''
The rules would be `` communicated very clearly '' to the people affected , she said .
Mixing with other households in pub gardens or outdoor restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes against advice , the Department for Health and Social Care ( DHSC ) has confirmed .
The DHSC has been approached for further comment and asked when the new rules would be published .
It has made clear informal childcare from family members , such as grandparents , will still be permitted but on `` an exclusive basis - always the same two households '' .
Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon accepted the rules were `` necessary '' but said the authority had been `` inundated '' by people asking for details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit chaotic how these things happen . ''
Ollie Vaulkard , who runs bars and restaurants in Tyneside and Northumberland , decided to shut all his venues after the new restrictions were announced .
Mr Vaulkard furloughed 200 staff in March and said he had spent a `` six figure sum '' of family money trying to keep the venues afloat .
He added : `` We are very much in survival mode and we need to get to the end of this .
`` We do n't know if it will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will finish any business is running out of money .
`` We feel we would be losing money by opening our doors every day . ''
He said he would review this situation on 19 October when the furlough scheme ends .
Max Gott , who runs Bistro 46 in Jesmond , Newcastle , said he was worried about losing his licence to operate amid the changing restrictions .
He said : `` You get an anticipation of what the world is going to be like and then the rules come out and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` And then they change the advice to law and it 's overly complicated and we get people ringing us for advice and then have to seek the advice .
`` It makes it so hard to operate , we constantly feel like if we do something wrong it 's going to be our licence or our livelihood that 's going to come under fire . ''
The new laws on household mixing send a strong message - even though there has been some initial confusion about exactly how they will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being asked whether these rules will be applied elsewhere .
The North West has areas with higher rates of infection .
In the North East , only Newcastle is in the top 10 worst affected places currently , whereas several Greater Manchester and Merseyside areas feature .
The reason for this anomaly appears to be down to North East leaders being more enthusiastic for tougher measures .
Talks over the weekend between the government and officials in the region showed an appetite to go further .
Discussions are being held behind the scenes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could come in the next few days .
About two million people in Newcastle , Northumberland , Gateshead , North Tyneside , South Tyneside , Sunderland and the County Durham council area had already been advised to avoid mixing but the new rules will be enforced with fines .
For those over 18 it would be £200 for a first offence and halved if paid within 14 days .
Second offences would incur a £400 fine , which would then double for each subsequent offence up to a maximum of £6,400 .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now ?
• 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 ?
Data updated on Monday showed that , for the week to 25 September , Newcastle recorded 721 new cases of coronavirus - about 238 per 100,000 population - while South Tyneside had almost 197 cases per 100,000 .
The lowest rate in the region was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 .
Stuart Henderson , a project manager from County Durham , said people were suffering `` all because many 20-45 year olds are selfish and unable to take their civic responsibility seriously '' .
`` We have already endured six months of lockdowns and restrictions , but now the only thing that was keeping me and my friends going - each other - is gone , '' he added .
`` The government should find a way to target them , not punish us . ''
Follow BBC North East & Cumbria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria @ bbc.co.uk .

When he was asked about the new regulations, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "In the North East and other areas where extra measures have been brought in, you should follow the guidance of local authorities but it is six in a home, six in hospitality but as I understand it, not six outside."


bbcuk--2020-09-30--Covid: Alok Sharma accuses BBC of 'gotcha' line of questioning

A government minister has accused BBC News of treating interviews like a `` quiz show '' after Boris Johnson got local coronavirus restrictions wrong .
Business Secretary Alok Sharma criticised the `` gotcha line of questioning '' when asked about the PM 's mistake over rules in the North East .
But a police chief for the area said Mr Johnson 's mistake had `` stoked further confusion '' for people .
Reports say a ban on households mixing indoors could extend to Merseyside .
On BBC Radio 4 's Today programme , Mr Sharma was pressed on why - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - the prime minister was not able to clarify restrictions on social gatherings in north-east England .
Mr Johnson 's confusion came hours after minister Gillian Keegan was also unable to clarify parts of the new rules .
Mr Sharma said there was `` an element of slightly 'gotcha ' about this in terms of this line of questioning '' , reminding Today 's Martha Kearney she was on `` a flagship programme '' and `` not a quiz show '' .
`` If people want to understand the precise restrictions that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then they should go on to the [ local authority ] websites , '' he added .
The government 's web pages on coronavirus have links to information from local authorities .
Mr Sharma said the government 's `` overall message '' was that people should keep to the rule of six , wash their hands , cover their faces and make sure they maintain social distancing .
In the affected areas of north-east England , people will no longer be allowed to mix with anyone outside their own household in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exempt .
In total , at least 16.6 million people are in local lockdowns in the UK - about one in four people .
The Times reports that officials will decide on Wednesday whether Merseyside will be the latest area to face a ban on households mixing indoors .
And about 500,000 people in four council areas in north Wales are to face local lockdown restrictions from Thursday evening .
• New lockdowns blamed on socialising in houses • What 's the new socialising rule the PM 'misspoke ' about ?
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is asking huge numbers of people to follow .
That 's not a gotcha , that 's just basic government competence , '' he said .
Meanwhile Kim McGuinness , Labour 's police and crime commissioner for Northumbria Police , told Today that Mr Johnson `` caused a lot of confusion '' when he `` misspoke '' on Tuesday .
She said following the restrictions was a `` big ask '' for people and that the government should `` be better at communicating in advance of these local restrictions '' .
A health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) said confusion has become a problem for people trying to follow coronavirus rules .
Prof Lucy Yardley told the BBC : `` I think it is a real problem that people are trying to follow top-down rules that are changing all the time and are different in different places and in different organisations .
`` We need less rule following and more working together to work out , in your individual situation , what is the best way to minimise the risk to the people around you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the rules `` as far as they think is sensible and practical for them '' and are `` probably getting it right '' by viewing the rules this way .
Mr Sharma urged people - in particular , university students - to follow coronavirus rules .
When asked by BBC Breakfast about a video which appears to show a large group of students having a party at Coventry University , he said : `` This has been actually a very , very difficult time for young people and actually , they want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normality , we ca n't just lock people down forever .
`` Universities are open , students have gone back , and of course we ask them , just as we ask the rest of the population , to follow the rules , follow the guidance , and act responsibly , and ultimately this is for their own good , and I hope people will do that . ''
• LOCAL LOCKDOWNS : What happens if you have one ?
• QUARANTINE : Who must self-isolate after arriving in the UK • LOOK-UP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area ?
• SUPPORT BUBBLES : What are they and who can be in yours ?
Mr Sharma added that Education Secretary Gavin Williamson was looking into how to make `` possible '' his commitment that students will be able to go home for Christmas .
• Students home for Christmas with end of term online The prime minister is expected join the the UK government 's chief medical adviser , Prof Chris Whitty , and the chief scientific adviser , Sir Patrick Vallance , at a Downing Street press conference at 5pm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases on Tuesday , a new high since mass testing began .
Deaths recorded within 28 days of a positive test also rose to 71 , the highest total since 1 July .
• CORONAVIRUS - YOUR STORIES : Extraordinary experiences from around the world ; how Covid-19 has changed our lives • LITTLE MIX START THE SEARCH : The girls are on the hunt for global superstars

Mr Johnson said "nobody wants to impose restrictions of this kind" but that "frankly, when you have the virus going up in the way that it is now in some parts of the country, you have to take strong local action".


bbcuk--2020-09-30--Covid-19: Coventry University halls partygoers flout rules

Police said officers had attended halls at Coventry University in the early hours of Tuesday morning .
Officers have worked with the management of Arundel House to close some communal areas and increase security , West Midlands Police said .
The university is `` deeply concerned '' over a video of the party and condemned the `` blatant breaches '' of rules .
Footage from accommodation on Whitefriars Lane emerged on social media showing a large group of people who were apparently not adhering to social distancing rules .
Current government guidance states that only groups of six people or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been told they must limit socialising , staying within separate `` households '' and being taught in managed groups .
Coventry University said it `` strongly condemns the blatant breaches of the rule of six and other guidelines as they risk the health of our students , colleagues and the communities in which we are located '' .
He told the BBC the university was taking the incident `` very seriously '' and he was confident its code of conduct had been breached .
However `` the vast majority of our students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
A spokesperson said the university 's code of conduct had been shared `` widely '' with students , making clear a failure to follow the health guidelines would constitute a breach of the university 's disciplinary regulations .
`` Appropriate action '' will be taken if any involved in the video are found to be students , they added .
Police said officers were examining CCTV of the gathering in Coventry and `` will take action if evidence comes to light that this was a planned party '' .
Nido , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had restricted visitors to the building and stepped up security following the gathering .
`` We do not want the actions of a few to affect the experience of many , '' a spokesperson said .

"We do know that some of the individuals involved in the party were students of the university, we know that many of them were also not students of the university," he added.


bbcuk--2020-09-30--Ascension Island: Priti Patel considered outpost for UK asylum centre location

The government has considered building an asylum processing centre on a remote UK territory in the Atlantic Ocean .
The idea of `` offshoring '' people is being looked at but finding a suitable location would be key , a source said .
Home Secretary Priti Patel asked officials to look at asylum policies which had been successful in other countries , the BBC has been told .
The Financial Times says Ascension Island , more than 4,000 miles ( 6,000km ) from the UK , was a suggested location .
• What happens to migrants who reach the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than all of 2019 The Foreign Office is understood to have carried out an assessment for Ascension - which included the practicalities of transferring migrants thousands of miles to the island - and decided not to proceed .
However , a Home Office source said ministers were looking at `` every option that can stop small boat crossings and fix the asylum system '' .
`` The UK has a long and proud history of offering refuge to those who need protection .
Tens of thousands of people have rebuilt their lives in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide safe and legal routes in the future .
`` As ministers have said we are developing plans to reform policies and laws around illegal migration and asylum to ensure we are able to provide protection to those who need it , while preventing abuse of the system and the criminality associated with it . ''
No final decisions have been made .
Labour 's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said : `` This ludicrous idea is inhumane , completely impractical and wildly expensive - so it seems entirely plausible this Tory government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nicholls , a member of the Ascension Island council , said moving asylum seekers more than 4,000 miles to the British overseas territory would be a `` logistical nightmare '' and not well received by the islanders .
He also told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme that the presence of military bases on the island could make the concept `` prohibitive '' due to security concerns .
Australia has controversially used offshore processing and detention centres for asylum seekers since the 1980s .
A United Nations refugee agency representative to the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would breach the UK 's obligations to asylum seekers and would `` change what the UK is - its history and its values '' .
Speaking to the UK Parliament 's Home Affairs Select Committee , she said the Australian model had `` brought about huge suffering for people , who are guilty of no more than seeking asylum , and it has also cost huge amounts of money '' .
• The volcanic island has no indigenous population , and the people that live there - fewer than 1,000 - are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the island • The military airbase is jointly operated by the RAF and the US , and has been used as a staging post to supply and defend the Falkland Islands • Its first human inhabitants arrived in 1815 , when the Royal Navy set up camp to keep watch on Napoleon , who was imprisoned on the island of St Helena some 800 miles away • It is home to a BBC transmitter - the BBC Atlantic Relay station - which sends shortwave radio to Africa and South America The proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the journey across the English Channel to the UK in small boats this month , which Ms Patel has vowed to stop .
Laura Trott , Conservative MP for Sevenoaks in Kent , said it was `` absolutely right '' that the government was looking at offshore asylum centres to `` reduce the pressure '' on Kent , which was `` unable to take any more children into care '' .
In order to be eligible for asylum in the UK , applicants must prove they can not return to their home country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race , religion , nationality , political opinion , gender identity or sexual orientation .
Asylum seekers can not work while their claims are being processed , so the government offers them a daily allowance of just over £5 and accommodation , often in hostels or shared flats .
Delays in processing UK asylum applications increased significantly last year with four out of five applicants in the last three months of 2019 waiting six months or more for their cases to be processed .
That compared with three in four during the same @ @ @ @

"As ministers have said we are developing plans to reform policies and laws around illegal migration and asylum to ensure we are able to provide protection to those who need it, while preventing abuse of the system and the criminality associated with it."


bbcuk--2020-09-30--Ministers 'sticking fingers in ears' over 2021 exams

Ministers are being accused of `` sticking their fingers in their ears '' over the possibility that next year 's public exams may have to be cancelled .
The National Education Union says higher Covid-19 infection rates and more pupils being sent home , makes holding exams unfair and less likely .
It argues that as the situation develops , using a system of centre assessed grades may become inevitable .
The government is considering a slight delay GCSE and A-levels next summer .
But NEU joint general secretary Mary Bousted said this was a position that was becoming `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know what evidence of pupil achievement they needed to collect so fair assessments could be made .
Her comments come a day after national attendance figures revealed one in six secondary schools were not fully open to all pupils last week , with 16 % having to send at least some pupils home to self-isolate amid a rise in virus cases .
• One in six secondaries send pupils home over Covidd • Children 'must be the priority ' in Covid planning It also comes after the vice-chancellors of several universities called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancelled , and for the focus to be on pupils catching up missed learning instead .
Dr Bousted said national figures showed 200,000 children and young people were not in school last week , and that with 7,000 new cases nationally yesterday alone , disruption was inevitable .
`` All of that makes it more and more difficult to see that students will get the opportunity to consistently be in school across the country , '' she said .
`` As the situation develops it may become inevitable that what we have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grades ... everybody appears to agree that this is a real possibility - that we wo n't be able to do exams .
`` The only body which is sort of sticking its head in the sand , sticking its fingers in its ears , is the government , and that is what they have done consistently in this crisis .
`` They seem to think that if you will something it will happen , despite the increasing evidence that there are going to be massive problems with that . ''
The NEU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conference this weekend calling for students to be given more choice in exams , but Dr Bousted suggested it may be overtaken by events .
`` So the motion was written a time ago , it 's a fast moving situation , and we are certainly thinking the vice chancellors are raising absolutely real concern .
`` They need to be reacting to them and planning appropriately , because the last thing we need - but the danger is increasing that we end up with - is another fiasco next year because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have n't worked to achieve . ''
GCSE and A-level exams were cancelled last March because of the coronavirus pandemic , but the system of assessment set up to replace them was later found to be flawed , leading to exam grades being cancelled and re-issued .
NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney also expressed concern about the number of classes being sent home .
`` We do n't know how many of those closures are exam classes ... but we are hearing of whole Year 11s being sent home on public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some inner London boroughs , where cases are n't as high as other areas .
`` So that pattern is developing of year groups being at home , exam year groups and that has a huge implication of how you fairly assess children next year .
`` The government just seems to think it can ignore all this data .
The height of ambition seems to be whether there is a one week delay or three week delay in exams and that just is n't going to cut the mustard on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer . ''
All the major teaching unions have been calling for a `` plan B '' on exams in the event that disruption to children 's learning continues , even if schools remain open .
Last week Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told the Education Select Committee it was `` vital and so important that we get the exams series up and running for 2021 '' .
The NEU also called for Sats - the tests sat by children at the end of primary school - to be axed next year so teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
Mr Courtney said Sats would be `` absolutely pointless '' this year as a measure of school performance , because of the uneven pattern of attendance .
`` We hope that the government will see sense and say that the Sats do n't happen this year .
`` If the Sats are going ahead , we believe many head teachers will not play the game this year . ''

"The government just seems to think it can ignore all this data. The height of ambition seems to be whether there is a one week delay or three week delay in exams and that just isn't going to cut the mustard on how you lead to fairness in exams next summer."


bbcuk--2020-09-30--TSB to close a third of branches and cut 900 jobs

TSB will close 164 of its branches and cut 960 jobs , blaming `` a significant shift in customer behaviour '' as more customers bank online .
The figure is in addition to the 82 branches it said it would close in November , when it set out plans to save £100m by 2022 .
Union Unite described the move as `` a dark day for the finance sector '' .
The bank said the closures were not an `` easy decision '' and had been accelerated by the pandemic .
From the end of next year TSB will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The bank hopes most of the job cuts will come through voluntary redundancies , and said it would also create 120 new positions .
It did not name which branches would shut , but said those with the lowest footfall would go .
`` Our customers are banking differently - with a marked shift to digital banking , '' said boss Debbie Crosbie .
`` This means having the right balance between branches on the high street and our digital platforms , enabling us to offer the very best experience for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Unite 's national officer Dominic Hook said : `` Unite has argued for some time that the financial services industry has a social responsibility not to walk away from its local customers who continue to need access to banking in bank branches .
`` It beggars belief that just seven years ago TSB had 631 local branches and this announcement will reduce that number to merely 290 branches.
`` Today , TSB has 475 branches .
By the end of 2021 , it will have 290 .
They are stark numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself as a community service , and once attacked rivals for cutting branches .
The closure plan will be a blow to staff , aware of the wider economic outlook as they consider whether to volunteer for redundancy .
It will also be a blow to customers who still like to use a branch , and to small businesses that hope to keep travel times to a minimum when depositing cash .
Partnerships with the Post Office and cash collection services aim to mitigate these problems .
But , while customer behaviour is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are being forced to bank in a different way - and they may not feel comfortable doing so .
TSB is the latest bank to announce closures during the pandemic .
In August the Co-operative Bank has said it will cut 350 jobs and close 18 branches due to the current `` economic uncertainty '' and the shift to online banking .
Natwest Group also said it would cut 550 jobs in branches and close one of its remaining offices in London .
TSB , which is owned by Spanish lender Banco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems , with an IT failure in 2018 leaving up to 1.9 million customers unable to bank online for several weeks .
Customers were moved on to a new system , but an investigation found it had not been tested properly before going live .
It cost TSB a total of £330m for customer compensation , fraud losses and other expenses .
As recently as last month users were unable to access online banking .
And last year , a `` processing error '' meant wages and other payments were not paid into @ @ @ @ @ @

"This means having the right balance between branches on the high street and our digital platforms, enabling us to offer the very best experience for our personal and business customers across the UK."


bbcuk--2020-09-30--UK beef exports to US resume after more than 20 years

British beef is back on US menus for the first time in more than 20 years as exports restart on Wednesday .
The beef was banned after the BSE outbreak in 1996 when cattle were infected by what became commonly known as Mad Cow Disease .
Some UK beef was cleared for export in March after US inspections in 2019 , and shipments from Northern Ireland 's Foyle Food Group will be the first to leave .
Ministers said the US market will be worth £66m to the UK over five years .
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply chain , called the resumption of exports a `` historic moment '' .
Dr Phil Hadley , a director at the board , said : `` The US represents an important potential market for our red meat exports and today 's first shipment is the result of the hard work and persistence of industry and government to bring about this crucial next step .
`` This important milestone will bring a fantastic boost to the sector and we look forward to seeing more of our red meat served up on dinner tables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years to come . ''
In 2019 , the US Food Safety Inspection Service undertook a series of audits at UK beef , pork and lamb facilities .
Pork exports to the US continue as usual , while exports of lamb have yet to commence .
`` This is great news for our food and farming industry , helping the sector go from strength to strength , '' said Environment Secretary George Eustice .
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said : `` This could be just the tip of the iceberg .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US will create a host of export opportunities for British agriculture .
We are seeking an ambitious and high standards agreement that benefits farmers and delivers for consumers . ''
However , those free trade talks remain controversial , with critics warning the government not to lower UK food standards in order to strike a deal .
This week a group of celebrities and chefs , including Jamie Oliver and Joe Wicks , said post-Brexit trade deals should not open the floodgates to lower-quality food , citing chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-injected beef @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted the UK will not allow US chlorine-washed chicken to be stocked in supermarkets as a ban is already written into law .
She said the UK will not compromise on environmental , animal welfare and food standards in its quest for trade agreements .

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said: "This could be just the tip of the iceberg. The free trade deal we are negotiating with the US will create a host of export opportunities for British agriculture. We are seeking an ambitious and high standards agreement that benefits farmers and delivers for consumers."


bbcuk--2020-09-30--'Panto parade' highlights plight of arts venues

Dozens of pantomime dames are marching on Westminster , as part of a day of action highlighting the plight of the live events industry .
The socially-distanced parade was organised after the rise in coronavirus cases prompted the cancellation of this year 's panto season .
Organisers are calling for an extension to the government 's furlough scheme for theatre workers .
It coincides with a global campaign to reflect the issues facing live events .
Under the slogan `` red alert '' , the # WeMakeEvents campaign will see venues in 25 countries bathed in red light , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when concerts and shows can resume .
Pre-empting Wednesday 's day of action , hundreds of people who normally work at concerts , festivals and theatres gathered in Parliament Square on Tuesday to hold a 30 minute silent protest at the government 's handling of the situation .
While venues have been allowed to reopen with social distancing measures in place , there are scarcely any plays or concerts taking place compared with the start of 2020 .
Some bands have already started cancelling shows planned for 2021 .
The # WeMakeEventscampaign is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance scheme , which would ensure that organisers can recover costs if concerts are cancelled due to a local lockdown .
• The music venues opening despite the pandemic • 'The rug can be pulled any time , ' say indie stars Organisers also want government support for a Covid-19 testing scheme at venues ; and a three-year extension on the reduced VAT rate on tickets .
In common with the `` Panto Parade '' , they are also calling for a job support scheme that is specifically tailored to the live events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis , who said `` tens of thousands '' of people who work in the industry were currently out of work , with many receiving no financial support .
`` We are part of a UK creative industry which contributes over £100 billion to the economy each year and which puts this country on the map , '' she wrote in a statement which was published on social media .
`` But as it stands , there is no sign of the live events industry returning in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in crisis .
`` If we do n't speak up , many theatre companies , venues , promoters , artists and crew could struggle to such an extent that this industry is simply never able to return to the incredible force it was before this pandemic struck . ''
Although the government announced a £1.57 billion rescue package for the arts in July , it is going principally to museums , galleries and venues , rather than individuals .
Many of those who work in the sector have not been covered by either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government 's new job support scheme , which was announced last week , also appears to exclude arts organisations .
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the scheme would target `` viable jobs which provide genuine security '' .
The # WeMakeEvents campaign estimates that the live event industry is currently operating at between 1-5 % of normal capacity , ruling it out of contention .
Last week , the Musicians ' Union said one third of its members were considering giving up their careers due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 34 % were `` considering abandoning the industry completely '' , because of the financial difficulties they faced , while almost half had already found work outside the industry .
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bbcuk--2020-09-30--Wales Covid lockdowns: 'Grave concern' over socialising in houses

People ignoring coronavirus rules by socialising in houses are the reason behind a rise in cases leading to parts of north Wales going into a lockdown , a council leader has claimed .
Those living in Conwy , Denbighshire , Flintshire and Wrexham will not be able to leave or enter without a `` reasonable excuse '' such as work or education .
They are the same restrictions as seen in most of south Wales .
The new measures will come into effect at 18:00 BST on Thursday .
`` It 's a matter of grave concern because this virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Flintshire council leader Ian Roberts .
`` I believe that people meeting in houses has caused the higher incident rate . ''
• What can I do in a local lockdown ?
• Three further deaths with covid in Wales But Mr Roberts wants to see restrictions imposed on people being able to travel to open parts of Wales from areas in England which have local lockdowns but no rules on leaving the area .
`` If I am supporting the people of Flintshire in lockdown unable to go to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... it does n't seem right that people from higher infection rates in England can go to the same caravan parks , '' he added .
`` When these restrictions are applied it has to make sense to the local population .
Whether this makes sense we will see . ''
Meanwhile , Conwy council leader Sam Rowlands said he was `` disappointed and frustrated '' the Welsh Government did not take measures to protect tourism which would lose out again .
`` There 's no scientific evidence visitors are causing the rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Local Democracy Reporting Service .
`` If there was , there should be measures in place but there is n't any evidence that 's the cause .
`` It 's disappointing and frustrating that 's not being recognised by the regulations being put in place .
`` It 's likely to have a big effect on the tourism industry which has already suffered this year - and that 's why I 'm disappointed there is n't any recognition of that by Welsh Government .
`` The ask has been made to Welsh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come in and support our tourism sector , but it 's disappointing they have n't been taken on board . ''
The move has also been criticised by two Conservative MPs .
Clwyd West MP David Jones claimed Conwy and Denbighshire have been put into lockdown `` by ministerial fiat '' on the strength of a low number of cases .
And Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies said he has sought justification from the Welsh Government over the move .
What are the rules ?
Under the restrictions no-one can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a limited set of reasons , including : • to work , if you can not work from home • to meet a legal obligation , and to access or receive public services • to avoid injury or illness or escape a risk of harm It is permitted to travel through the areas concerned , so motorists can continue to use the A55 to get to or out of Gwynedd and Anglesey .
Rules allowing people to meet extended households are suspended , meaning people can only be with their usual household @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants .
Other Wales-wide restrictions apply , including the wearing of face masks in shops .
Rev Rebecca Sparey-Taylor , a priest in the Denbigh mission area , said : `` I have to be honest I 'm quite disappointed - not with the lockdown itself .
`` I can understand that there is such a need for people to keep safe but there is very much a sense of surprise among the congregation .
`` The numbers do appear here to be lower then in the south . ''
But Dr Peter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of General Practitioners Wales , said the country was `` generally '' ahead of England in taking action .
`` I think it 's part of the Welsh Government 's cautious approach to the virus , '' he said , adding there were cases where `` people lower their guard by being a little more careless '' on following guidelines .
Tuesday 's announcement means 504,956 more people will be added to local lockdowns , with a total of 2.3 million people under tougher restrictions than at the start of September .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pembrokeshire , Ceredigion , Gwynedd , Anglesey and Powys - will not be subject to restrictions from Thursday .
Conwy has seen 42.7 cases per 100,000 people in the latest week , while the equivalent figure for Denbighshire was 41.8 .
In Flintshire it was 45.5 , and Wrexham it is 33.1 .
The worst rate in Wales is in Blaenau Gwent which has a rate of 307.7 per 100,000 over seven days .
In the south the areas of Blaenau Gwent , Bridgend , Caerphilly , Cardiff , Newport , Rhondda Cynon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tydfil , Neath Port Talbot and the Vale of Glamorgan are all subject to restrictions .
The town of Llanelli is also under local lockdown rules .
But in Caerphilly and Newport there had been `` real falls in case numbers '' , according to Health Minister Vaughan Gething .


bbcuk--2020-09-30--Boohoo profit soars despite factory conditions row

Fast-fashion brand Boohoo 's first-half profit has risen 51 % , despite a storm over pay and working conditions for those making its clothes .
Last week , a review of Boohoo 's supply chain identified `` many failings '' after concerns were raised about its suppliers in Leicester .
The online retailer said it was taking steps to make `` substantive , long-lasting and meaningful change '' .
It also raised its prediction for this year 's income .
`` Group revenue growth for the year to 28 February 2021 is expected to be 28-32 % , up from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' it said in its interim results statement .
Pre-tax profits surged to £68.1m in the six months to 31 August , up from £45.2m a year earlier .
During that time , the company made a number of acquisitions , adding Oasis , Warehouse and Pretty Little Thing to its portfolio of brands , which include the more upmarket Karen Millen and Coast .
Active customer numbers in the last 12 months went up by 34 % to 17.4 million , with an `` exceptional increase '' during lockdown .
• Boohoo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the fashion firm Despite the positive outlook , Boohoo said it was `` prudent to continue to plan for a period of economic uncertainty in the second half of the financial year , including possible reduced consumer spending '' .
`` It is also prudent to plan for return rates returning to normal levels , '' it added .
Boohoo commissioned the independent review by barrister Alison Levitt after allegations that factory workers had been exploited during the coronavirus lockdown .
Ms Levitt found some workers in its supply chain had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that many were not fully aware of their rights and their obligations .
She said Boohoo had `` capitalised on the commercial opportunities offered by lockdown '' , but took no responsibility for the consequences for those making the clothes they sold .
The review also found senior directors at Boohoo knew about `` serious issues '' over how workers were treated months before they came to light .
Richard Hunter , head of markets at Interactive Investor , said the `` furore '' surrounding the company 's Leicester supply chain had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prospects .
`` This will , of course , come at a cost and the possibility of wider investigations can not be ruled out at the moment .
However , any reputational damage caused by the allegations has not filtered through to a very strong set of numbers . ''
He added : `` For the moment , the stellar growth continues for Boohoo , as does a share price which has fully recouped the declines of July to stand up 31 % in the year to date and ahead by 48 % @ @ @ @ @ @

"This will, of course, come at a cost and the possibility of wider investigations cannot be ruled out at the moment. However, any reputational damage caused by the allegations has not filtered through to a very strong set of numbers."


bbcuk--2020-09-30--Brexit: Blow to UK car industry in search for EU deal

Britain 's car industry risks losing out even if there is a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU , according to documents seen by the BBC .
Car parts from Japan and Turkey used in the UK will not be treated as British , so some exports may see higher tariffs .
In a letter , Britain 's chief Brexit negotiator says the UK has failed so far to get the car parts deal it wants , and `` obviously can not insist on it '' .
Having enough parts sourced within the UK and EU is key to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the car industry , seen by the BBC , chief negotiator Lord Frost says one of their key priorities - that parts and components from Japan and Turkey count as British in any deal - has been rejected by the European Commission .
This risks some UK automotive production attracting taxes on trade , known as tariffs , when exported to the EU , even if there is a `` zero tariff '' trade deal struck with the EU .
• What are the sticking points in Brexit trade talks ?
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and EU want ?
A separate draft legal text , also obtained by the BBC , lists the UK 's request for manufacturing of electric cars , batteries , and bicycles to be treated leniently , and count as British , even if the majority of components come from elsewhere .
The letter says : `` I am sorry to say that so far they [ EU negotiators ] have neither been willing to discuss these nor share any proposed text with us '' .
Both documents refer to the need , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prove that UK-exported goods are actually British-made , with a specified threshold of British parts , expected to be around a half .
Under the terms of an anticipated deal with the EU , any components from EU countries can count as British - something known as `` cumulation '' .
But the letter reveals the requirement for that to be extended to other partners of the UK and EU , in particular Japan and Turkey , is being refused .
Much UK manufacturing is below the required threshold , although the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union .
The problem is particularly acute for electric vehicles where an even larger proportion of the value of the car is contained in the battery .
`` The commission has made clear that it will not agree third-country cumulation in any circumstances , which we regret , but obviously can not insist upon , '' says Lord Frost 's letter , written on 7 September .
Senior figures in the car industry expressed the view that the government could have chosen to insist on a deal that did contain such measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been stalled by the impasse over fishing rights and subsidy powers .
Mike Hawes , the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders , said : `` Given its importance to the economy and livelihoods and the damaging consequences of tariffs we need the sector prioritised in negotiations , not traded off against other industries . ''
Lucy Powell , Labour 's shadow minister for business and consumers , said : `` This is really worrying for our country 's automotive industry .
The government must listen to businesses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver the trade deal with the EU they promised during the election . ''
The original Brexit deal negotiated by former PM Theresa May contained a route to minimise checks on what are known as `` rules of origin '' .
That option was removed as part of the revision to the withdrawal agreement a year ago .
But Lord Frost points out that the UK and EU27 car industries have jointly asked for such arrangements , including special consideration for electric vehicle exports .

Much UK manufacturing is below the required threshold, although the reverse is not the case for the European Union. The problem is particularly acute for electric vehicles where an even larger proportion of the value of the car is contained in the battery.


bbcuk--2020-09-30--Covid: MPs to vote on renewing emergency powers

MPs will vote later on whether to extend emergency powers given to the government to tackle coronavirus .
Dozens of Conservative MPs are demanding more parliamentary scrutiny of the multiple restrictions in place .
Talks are continuing ahead of the vote in an attempt to reach a compromise and prevent any rebellion .
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said ministers were `` looking at '' the options but defended the need to act quickly to save lives as cases rise .
During a BBC interview , he rejected suggestions that many ministers did not understand the varying rules in force across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stumbling over them on Monday - and criticised what he suggested were `` gotcha '' questions intended to catch people out .
Ahead of Wednesday 's vote , Conservative MP Steve Baker , one of those seeking more checks over the government 's powers , said it was `` a fork in the road '' moment .
The BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg said Mr Baker and others , who will meet Chief Whip Mark Spencer later , were an `` organised and determined group '' who had the numbers to potentially defeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Commons majority of 80 .
Questioned as he entered Number 10 ahead of a Cabinet meeting , Mr Spencer was asked : `` Are you going to give MPs a say ? ''
He replied : `` Yeah we are . ''
The Commons will vote on whether to renew coronavirus legislation passed at the start of the pandemic in March , which gives the government sweeping powers to act but has to be extended every six months .
At least 16.6 million people in the UK - about one in four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which a growing number of MPs think are disproportionate even though they have often been requested by local leaders .
MPs are concerned recent interventions - including Wednesday 's tightening of restrictions on separate households in the North East of England mixing indoors in public places - have been announced with little warning or debate .
Former chief whip Mark Harper said rules introduced earlier this week requiring people to self-isolate or face fines of up to £10,000 had come into force seven hours after being signed off by ministers and with no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that those mistakenly identified as a recent close contact of someone with the virus would be forced to quarantine for 10 days and had no means of challenging it .
Peter Bone said the `` rule of six '' limit on indoor and outdoor social gatherings was an `` extraordinary restriction on the liberty of the British people '' which had not been properly scrutinised .
Ex-minister Nusrat Ghani said the use of Covid marshalls to enforce the rules and the lack of support for pubs and other venues forced to close early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our collective effort to tackle the virus '' .
Dozens of Tory MPs are backing an amendment by Sir Graham Brady calling future regulations affecting the whole of England only to be introduced if Parliament has the opportunity to debate and vote on them in advance .
However , it is thought unlikely that Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle will select Sir Graham 's amendment for debate .
Mr Baker said he and others would `` gladly back down '' if there was `` a reasonable offer which we can accept '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they `` are not going to go away and we will have to keep on battling on , as I say , with a fierce resolve to preserve the institutions which we are proud of and which we wish to defend in the public interest . ''
Meanwhile , the Lib Dems said they would vote against extending the Coronavirus Act because of the power it gave ministers to `` reduce rights '' for carers .
The business secretary told the BBC that he hoped all MPs understood the government 's priority was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take `` more draconian '' action in the future , such as a blanket lockdown .
`` What colleagues are asking for is there some way , prior to decisions being made , whether they can be involved , '' he told Radio 4 's Today .
`` That is something we are looking at and we will come forward with some suggestions . ''
What are the coronavirus powers ?
The powers that ministers are using to respond to the pandemic are based on two Acts of Parliament .
The Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast-tracked through Parliament at the end of March , grants extensive powers to the authorities to tackle Covid .
It was used to close schools , postpone elections and stop mass gatherings .
It also allows the authorities to forcibly quarantine anyone testing positive for the virus .
It is due to remain in force for two years , although there is a six-month review on Wednesday , when MPs will decide whether it should continue .
But most of the major interventions - including the national lockdown and the current local restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation going back nearly 40 years .
The 1984 Public Health ( Control of Disease ) Act , passed by Parliament during the Thatcher era , gave her government and its successors very broad powers to deal with medical emergencies .
Successive measures to control the virus , such as the mandatory wearing of face masks in shops and the `` rule of six '' limit on gatherings , have been introduced through regulations linked to this law .
Regulations are legislative instruments which must be approved by Parliament but are often not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to authorise further restrictions although ministers are required to review the initial regulations every 28 days when Parliament is sitting .
The Health Protection Regulations 2020 , which introduced the lockdown , came into force when Parliament was not sitting in late March and were retrospectively approved in early May .
In some cases during the pandemic , government policy has been based on voluntary guidance which , while it does not have legal force , has often been more restrictive .
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rules now ?
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
• SOCIAL LIFE : Is it safe to go to the pub ?
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"All too often important statutory instruments have been published a matter of hours before they come into force and some explanations as to why important measures have come into effect before they can be laid before this House has been unconvincing and shows a total disregard for the House."