Does juuling keep you awake

A 1% pay rise for NHS workers is "the most" the government can afford due to the economic cost of the COVID crisis, a health minister has told Sky News. The government is facing a furious backlash - led by the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer - after calling for health care staff in England to be restricted to a pay rise of 1%. Live COVID updates from the UK and across the world But Nadine Dorries said it "would be wrong to say a single person in the government does not appreciate the effort" of NHS staff, as she defended the decision not to recommend a larger pay increase. "Of course, we recognise the sacrifice and the commitment and the vocation of nurses and all health workers over the past year," the minister said. Advertisement "We've all been touched by, or personally experienced, help by NHS workers. "But I think it is important to note that the priority of the government has been about protecting people's livelihoods, about … [Read more...] about COVID-19: 1% pay rise for NHS staff ‘the most’ the government can afford, says minister Nadine Dorries

Beijing has declared that only "patriots" should rule Hong Kong - and unveiled plans to change the city's electoral system to ensure just that. Candidates for election to the Legislative Council - Hong Kong 's parliament - will be vetted, according to the proposed changes. And elections scheduled for 2020, already postponed for a year, will be pushed back to 2022. "The rioting and turbulence that occurred in the Hong Kong society reveals that the existing electoral system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has clear loopholes and deficiencies," said Wang Chen, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, according to state media. The NPC, China 's annual parliament, is meeting in Beijing this week. The changes to Hong Kong's electoral system are only a proposal but will almost certainly be approved given the rubber stamp nature of the NPC. "Loopholes" is one of Beijing's favourite terms for describing aspects of … [Read more...] about Beijing declares only ‘patriots’ should rule Hong Kong as elections delayed again

Holidaymakers face paying more for a UK seaside break this summer, with demand for staycations driving up the cost of accommodation by an average of 35% compared to last year. A study by consumer group Which? indicated prices have been hiked in 10 of the UK's most visited beach destinations, including St Ives, Whitby, Llandudno and Brighton. Live COVID updates from the UK and across the world Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 'Great uncertainty' around foreign holidays Under Boris Johnson 's road map for easing coronavirus lockdown restrictions, people in England could be allowed to stay in self-contained accommodation such as holiday lets from 12 April. Meanwhile, foreign holidays, which may be permitted from 17 May, are likely to involve restrictions and conditions such as COVID-19 testing and self-isolation periods. Advertisement It comes as Cyprus said it will let British tourists who … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Staycation surge hikes up cost of seaside holiday lets

NEW Zealand was hit by a fourth earthquake as video showed a tsunami wave surging towards the shore. Terrified residents had fled to high ground ground before another quake struck the Kermadec Islands around noon on Friday. The 6.5 magnitude quake struck at 12.12pm local time and followed one of 8.1 by the islands, off northeastern New Zealand on Friday morning. New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency issued a tsunami warning after the earlier earthquake struck around 8.29am time at a depth of six miles. People across the country had been woken up by a rumbling sound as their houses shook after the quakes struck. Video showed large surges of water coming ashore at Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast of the country. Gina Chaffey-Aupouri​, who has lived there for the last 60 years, told Stuff.co.nz she has never seen anything like it as she watched from the hill above as the water move in strange ways. “This is the first time I’ve ever seen a surge," she … [Read more...] about New Zealand is rocked by FOURTH earthquake as tsunami warning is eased after disturbing video shows huge wave surge

PARENTS have admitted they’re too self-conscious to play with their kids, with singing and dancing among the most 'embarrassing' activities. A study found 28 per cent of parents with kids aged between three and 12 admitted they felt ‘awkward’ when taking part in games, while a fifth end up blushing when playing with their children. A quarter try and avoid singing, dressing and playing sports, while a third want to steer clear of dancing. But some 73 per cent of the 1,000 parents polled said they’d made more of an effort over lockdown to get stuck in, to try and make up for their kids not seeing their friends. And despite 69 per cent avoiding certain games as they ‘can’t do it properly’, 84 per cent confirmed the lockdown had forced them to be more creative, and helped them get out their comfort zone. Paul Schaffer from Plum Play , which commissioned the research to celebrate the launch of the new BOWL trampoline , said: "For some parents, playing certain activities … [Read more...] about Parents too ’embarrassed’ to play with their kids as they name singing and dancing the worst games, study shows