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Old Vic theatre is in 'seriously perilous' position, warns Matthew Warchus Covid-19 crisis draining theatre’s reserves, says artistic director, who announces new community schemes and streamed showsCoronavirus and culture – a list of major cancellationsUK live music and festival sector at risk of collapseThe Old Vic, one of London’s oldest and most illustrious theatres, is in a “seriously perilous” financial situation caused by the Covid-19 crisis, says its artistic director, Matthew Warchus.Warchus said that the Old Vic is one of a group of organisations, including Shakespeare’s Globe, the Royal Academy and the Royal Albert Hall, that have “significant cultural presence but, unusually, no government funding”. The theatre is a charity that...

Coronavirus live news: Russia records 10,000 new cases in a day as Wuhan prepares to test 11m residents Pence avoiding Trump after aide’s positive test; Saudi oil profits drop 25%; French schools reopenBrazil and Mexico record deadliest day from Covid-19‘10 days of battle’: Wuhan draws up plan to test 11m peopleNew US coronavirus hotspots appear in Republican heartlandsCoronavirus latest: at a glanceUK coronavirus updates – live 12.55pm BSTDay one of post-lockdown in France and the pavements flanking Paris’s Canal Saint-Martin and the pedestrianised roads along the banks of the Seine were invaded with newly liberated Parisians on Monday, forcing the police to evacuate the popular spots and issue a hastily drawn up ban on drinking alcohol in public places, w...

New US coronavirus hotspots appear in Republican heartlands Surge in infections in red state towns and rural communitiesRise in cases contradicts Trump assertion of rapid declineCoronavirus – latest US updatesCoronavirus – latest global updatesNew coronavirus hotspots are emerging in Republican heartland communities across multiple states, contradicting Donald Trump’s claims that infection rates are declining across the nation. Related: Fauci says US reopening could trigger outbreak 'you might not be able to control' Continue reading... Go to Source

What would happen if Londoners tried to go back to normal on a socially-distanced Underground? If everyone tries to travel as normal, the queue from some commuter stations would stretch back two stopsThe prime minister, Boris Johnson, says that from today, people are “actively encouraged” to return to work, although they should continue to work from home if possible.We looked into what would happen if everyone in London tried to go back to their morning commutes while staying 2 metres apart. Continue reading... Go to Source

Millions with health conditions at risk from Covid-19 'if forced back to work' About 20% of UK population vulnerable but not included in government’s shielding adviceEight million people with underlying health conditions should be exempted from plans to get the country back to work and normal life, according to scientists who warn that easing lockdown too quickly could propel the Covid-19 death toll to 73,000 this year.About 80% of the population have little to fear from a return to work, but 20% are vulnerable from one or more common conditions such as diabetes, obesity and heart problems, say researchers from University College London (UCL) in a Lancet study published on Wednesday. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: Brazil reports a record 881 deaths as Wuhan prepares to test 11m residents Pence avoiding Trump after aide’s positive test; Saudi oil profits drop 25%; French schools reopen; follow the latest updatesChina plans to test all 11m Wuhan residents for coronavirusEU could reopen borders to countries with similar risk profilesCoronavirus latest: at a glanceAustralia coronavirus updates - liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.47am BSTA newly revised coronavirus mortality model predicts more than 147,000 Americans will die from Covid-19 by early August, up nearly 10,000 from the last projection, as restrictions for curbing the pandemic are increasingly relaxed, researchers said on Tuesday. The latest forecast from the University of Washington’s Institute for...

UK furlough scheme extended until end of October Rishi Sunak says programme will run for further four months as coronavirus crisis continuesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government’s coronavirus wage subsidy scheme for workers will be extended until the end of October as the British economy is gradually reopened, Rishi Sunak has announced.Following pressure from employers groups to avoid a wave of job losses this summer, the chancellor said the furlough programme would run for a further four months, up to the end of October. First launched in March, it had been due to close at the end of next month. Continue reading... Go to Source

'He wasn't supposed to die like this', says daughter of coronavirus victim Keir Starmer calls for better support for VE Day generation hit hard by Covid-19 in care homesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe last few days have not felt real for Ruth Carney. The 43-year-old television and theatre director has been trying to come to terms with the death of her father, who passed away shortly after contracting coronavirus.Pete Carney, 77, who lived in Belong care home in Newcastle-under-Lyme and had Alzheimer’s disease, first became ill with the deadly virus in mid-April. His condition rapidly deteriorated and he was admitted to Royal Stoke University hospital on 22 April. It was the last time Ruth, who was by her father’s side in the ambulance an...

Coronavirus US live: Fauci testifies pandemic is not 'under control' in America Fauci says opening too soon may cause says ‘spikes’ leading to larger outbreaksAnalysis shows thousands in US getting Covid-19 at workPence will avoid close contact with TrumpThe race for a vaccine: how Trump’s ‘America First’ approach slows the global searchCoronavirus – latest global updatesGet a fresh perspective on America – sign up to our First Thing newsletter 6.39pm BSTCommittee chairman Lamar Alexander concluded by asking rhetorically what can the US can learn to prepare for the next pandemic? What can we learn about the federal stockpile? Hospitals having beds ready? Better buying channels for personal protective equipment? 6.27pm BSTThe hearing is winding u...

UK takes a pasting from world's press over coronavirus crisis Across Europe to the US, the foreign newspaper verdict is Britain has performed badlyCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBritain’s reputation for its handling of the coronavirus epidemic has taken another global pasting after newspapers worldwide reported on what they described as confusion and internal divisions that are rapidly creating a crisis as big as Brexit for the UK.With many diplomats admitting that soft power reputations are being forged or destroyed during the pandemic, the European press in particular is taking time to point out that the UK is experiencing the worst death rate in Europe, revealing a National Health Service that is underfunded and underprepared. Continue reading...

Stay alert or stay home? How Covid-19 lockdown rules differ across UK What you are allowed to do now depends on what part of the union you live inThe UK’s approach to Covid-19 now very much depends on what part of the union you live in after Downing Street’s decision to drop the “stay at home” slogan in favour of “stay alert” and its plans to begin lifting the lockdown this week.The devolved administrations in Edinburgh, Cardiff and at Stormont have all – in their own ways – opted to stick with “stay at home” while Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has described the move by Boris Johnson as “potentially catastrophic”. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus live: Sunak extends furlough job retention scheme until end of October UK coronavirus death toll passes 40,000, official figures say; Health secretary dodges questions over people’s legal right to refuse return to work; further lockdowns inevitable without stronger plan, scientists warnStarmer says Johnson giving no clear direction out of lockdownGlobal coronavirus updates - liveCoronavirus latest: at a glanceSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.46pm BSTThese are from Rishi Sunak summarising his announcement.1/ The job retention scheme will be extended, for four months, until the end of October. By that point, we will have provided eight months of support to British people and businesses. Until the end of July, there will be no changes to the scheme whatsoever. pic.t...

Summer holidays likely to be cancelled due to coronavirus, says Matt Hancock Health secretary suggests social ‘bubbles’ may address family separation soonCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSummer holidays are likely to be cancelled this year, the health secretary warned, as he said the public need to prepare for the “reality of life” in a period of physical distancing.Matt Hancock appeared on ITV’s This Morning just 24 hours after the government was severely criticised by the presenter Phillip Schofield for its messaging on how the country would leave the lockdown. Continue reading... Go to Source

EU could reopen borders to tourists in Covid-19 recovery plan Travel may be allowed between countries with similar risk profiles, draft report suggestsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageEuropean countries will be advised to open borders to countries with similar coronavirus risk profiles, under a plan to aid the tourism sector being discussed in Brussels.The European commission is expected on Wednesday to recommend a three-phase approach to reopening borders that brings together member states with “similar overall risk profiles”, according to a leaked version of the draft seen by the website Euractiv. Continue reading... Go to Source