Coronavirus pandemic

As we adjust to life outside the EU, the government is busy positioning the UK as an outward-looking nation, creating international products and selling them around the world. Britain's music industry is already a genuine global leader – the world’s second biggest exporter of music, a major plank in our cultural identity and economy. The pandemic has devastated many musicians' livelihoods, particularly those heavily reliant on live performance. But for the industry’s sake the UK’s resilient recorded music sector must continue growing and punching above its weight on the world stage. Supplying one in 10 songs streamed worldwide, British artists are already overrepresented in music streaming, with a market share four times greater than the UK's overall share of global GDP. Stars like Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi, Adele, Harry Styles, Dua Lipa and Stormzy contributed to the 155 million albums (or their equivalent) streamed or bought in 2020 in the UK. The 139 billion individual audio … [Read more...] about We need British music to thrive after the pandemic – now is not the time to regulate success

The final remaining COVID restrictions are expected to be lifted in Wales, the government has said. Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford will announce the update on Friday, with the restrictions to be removed from Monday, 30 May. Wales moved to alert level 0 in January and the majority of measures were removed in March. But there are still some remaining: • Face coverings are legally required in health and care settings (but nowhere else) Advertisement • Workplaces and premises open to the public must continue to carry out coronavirus work assessments • If you have COVID symptoms you must take a lateral flow test More on Covid-19 Monkeypox: COVID-19 a greater worry, says Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla Sue Gray report, part two: How damaged is Boris Johnson? COVID: Spain relaxes entry rules for Britons ahead of summer holidays Related Topics: COVID-19 Wales • If you test positive you … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Wales set to lift final remaining coronavirus restrictions

Russian oil ban not enough to stop them funding war says expert Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info It means there will be no respite for drivers struggling with record fuel prices along with the ongoing cost of living crisis. It comes as US refineries have increased production to levels not seen since before the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Related articles BP pledges to pump £18bn into UK's homegrown energy Hungary wields the knife on EU Russian oil ban The increase in production is a response to a dip in supplies. Last week US crude stockpiles fell by one million barrels. Flagship Brent Crude prices … [Read more...] about Oil price surge: Devastating blow for UK motorists as barrel prices hit £90

Strictly: Kevin Clifton reveals co-star for musical Sign up for the big storylines FIRST , star interviews and exclusive access SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The former EastEnders star revealed she will be teaming up with Strictly Come Dancing professional Kevin Clifton for her musical debut. Maisie, who was runner-up in the 2020 series of the BBC ballroom competition with Gorka Márquez, shared the exciting news with Lorraine Kelly on her ITV talk show. Related articles BBC Breakfast's 'out of touch' Platinum Jubilee coverage sparks uproar 'I don't care' Jane McDonald opens up on appearance concerns Maisie first performed with Kevin during the Strictly's Children In Need special back … [Read more...] about EastEnders’ Maisie Smith’s details new role with Strictly co-star ‘It’s brilliant!’

Before they could do anything else, the neuroscientists had to teach the rats how to play hide-and-seek. Michael Brecht at the Humboldt University of Berlin concocted the idea. His student Annika Reinhold trained six of their lab rodents to scurry around a room filled with obstacles and cardboard boxes, and either locate the hidden human or find a hiding spot themselves. As I reported in 2019 , the rats picked up the game in mere weeks. They clearly understood the rules and played strategically, starting their searches in past hiding locations or keeping quiet while hiding. And they had fun. Once found, they’d sometimes prolong the game by running away and hiding again. When they eventually reunited with Reinhold, they’d jump in place excitedly—a behavior known as Freudensprung , or “joy jumps.” And they didn’t need to be conditioned to play with edible treats; tickles were enough of a reward. The researchers enjoyed themselves too. But they were also working toward one of … [Read more...] about Rats Learned to Hide and Seek. Scientists Learned Way More.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, with his remarks focused on the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This year's conference, which will conclude later on Thursday, took a theme of "History at a Turning Point" due to the conflict. Scholz, who spoke in Davos for the first time as Germany's chancellor, is the only head of state from a G7 country to physically appear at this year's conference. He is also meeting with representatives of the business world on the sidelines in Davos. What did Scholz say? Scholz took aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine. "A major nuclear power is behaving as if it has the right to redraw borders," he said. "Putin wants a return to a world order in which might dictates what is right — in which freedom, determination and sovereignty are not for everyone. "We cannot allow Putin to win this war," the chancellor said. "It is a matter of making it clear to … [Read more...] about ‘Putin must not win this war,’ Germany’s Olaf Scholz tells Davos

On May 20, a federal judge in Louisiana ruled that Title 42, a policy used since the Trump-era to expel millions of asylum seekers at the southern border, must remain in place. In April, the Biden administration had announced a plan to rescind the controversial public health order, which restricts migrants' entry into the US on the grounds that they pose a health risk. But over 20 states filed a lawsuit against the decision. Title 42 was invoked by former president Donald Trump in March 2020, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The provision, laid out in the United States Code, is designed to protect public health and was officially implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to curb the spread of COVID-19. But effectively it means that Border Patrol can immediately turn back and expel migrants attempting to cross into the US without legal authorization, denying them the opportunity to request asylum and have their claim heard. In the last two … [Read more...] about Title 42: Controversial Trump-era immigration policy remains in place

Published 3 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic The wife of an ambulance driver who died with Covid-19 has said she is "sickened" by a report into parties held at Downing Street in the pandemic. Charlie Goodwin, 61, from Bilsthorpe in Nottinghamshire, died on 20 April 2020. Excessive drinking, mistreatment of cleaners and security staff, and Covid rule-breaking was highlighted in civil servant Sue Gray's report. Julie Goodwin said the prime minister had made a "mockery" of lockdown while the public were making huge sacrifices. Mrs Goodwin said her "amazing" husband Charlie, 61, had been self-isolating from her and his three children so he could continue working and had caught Covid while transporting patients during the pandemic. He was taken to King's Mill Hospital after contracting Covid-19, where he died after … [Read more...] about Bilsthorpe Covid widow ‘sickened’ by partygate report

By Harry Low Published 1 hour ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic Boris Johnson should resign as prime minister because he has been shown to have lied in Parliament, the mayor of London has said. Sadiq Khan told BBC Radio London the revelations from Sue Gray's report , including excessive drinking and mistreatment of cleaners, meant he was no longer fit to lead the country. "This guy lied at the dispatch box. He's a liar. I don't want a prime minister who is a liar," he said. The PM ruled out quitting on Wednesday. Addressing the Commons, Mr Johnson said he took "full responsibility for everything that took place on my watch", had been "humbled" and learned lessons. Taking questions from BBC Radio London listeners, Mr Khan branded Mr Johnson "a liar" and said the revelations meant he was "embarrassed to be a … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson should resign for lying to Parliament, Sadiq Khan says

Published 15 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic Boris Johnson has insisted he will remain as prime minister despite the "bitter and painful" judgement of a report into parties held in Downing Street during Covid restrictions. Excessive drinking, mistreatment of cleaners and security staff and Covid rule-breaking was highlighted in civil servant Sue Gray's report. She said the leadership in No 10 "must bear responsibility" for its culture. Some opponents have repeated their calls for Mr Johnson to quit. However in a press conference on Wednesday, the prime minister ruled out resigning, saying: "I've got to keep moving forward." Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had earlier called on Conservative MPs to remove him, saying it was time for Mr Johnson "to pack his bags". Sue Gray report’s key findings at a … [Read more...] about Partygate: PM says he will not resign following Sue Gray report