Modest changes expected to include relaxing exercise rules and reopening garden centres

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Boris Johnson’s plans to ease the UK lockdown are likely to be in line with Wales, which would result in only modest changes such as the reopening of garden centres and libraries, and a relaxation of exercise rules, the Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, said on Saturday.

Drakeford said the prime minister’s announcement for England would be in line with the very smallest easing granted in Wales.

Acclaimed photographers from around the world share a single image reflecting on their experience of the coronavirus outbreak

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Follow the science, they say… So here are 12 new ‘observations’ about life in a post-pandemic world

Apologies in advance: this column will be distressing to scientists (including those in my own family, but thankfully none of them read what I write).

The rules of the physical world seem to be abandoning us. The virus acts like no other pathogen. Two metres is entirely subjective now, expanding and contracting to meet our needs. Time is non-Newtonian, like the cornflour you’ve probably resorted to if you have small children to entertain, stiff and fluid at once. Numbers are basically meaningless: in pandemic maths, a figure such as 413 deaths – the one released on the day I am writing, an unthinkable catastrophe at another time – is encouraging, a cause for some optimism.

Ministers’ shambolic briefings expose a terrifying lack of competence

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‘In spite of the sunny bank holiday, it is vitally important that we continue to abide by the current restrictions: stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.” That was the message delivered by the environment secretary, George Eustice, at Friday afternoon’s press conference. Yet just the day before, most newspapers were emblazoned with excited headlines foretelling a significant relaxation of social distancing restrictions, based on briefing from government sources: “Lockdown freedom beckons”, “First steps to freedom from Monday” and “Stay home advice to be scrapped”.

Despite the critical importance of clear public messaging to any public health strategy, the government’s communications have been marred by mixed messages throughout this deadly pandemic. Its core message, asking the public to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives, has been very effective, but this has consistently been undermined by ministers and advisers inaccurately briefing the press that there is about to be a shift in policy. Before the Easter weekend, reports appeared that ministers thought that the public had been too obedient in following the lockdown, and that a relaxation was imminent. The same happened before this bank holiday weekend, forcing the government to clarify that there was no change in restrictions and that people must continue to abide by the law.

Still resilient after taking tough and early action, Greece can now look forward to a summer tourist season beginning in July

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When Pavlos Pandelides realised the coronavirus pandemic was moving west, he bought a plane ticket and flew from Athens to London. He then drove north to Nottingham to collect his daughter, a student at the city’s university, before returning with her the next day to Greece. An ardent admirer of all things British, the businessman had absolutely no doubt that what he was doing was right. “The British are fighters but I could see they were underestimating this,” he said.

While Covid-19 was tearing through northern Italy, Boris Johnson was still faltering, with his government showing worrying signs of complacency. There was, said Pandelides, no time to waste. “It was more than a protective father thing. It was clear they were about to really mess up.”

As hundreds of test kits claim to offer accurate results on previous Covid-19 infection, scientists around the world are working hard to assess their accuracy

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At the Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam, Marion Koopmans and a team of scientists are going throught the laborious process of verifying antibody tests for Covid-19. Over the last two months, dozens of prospective tests have hit the market, and with many governments wanting to feed the results of large-scale testing into their decisions whether to end lockdowns, biological tests have rarely carried such weight.

Most of the tests are enthusiastically marketed, boasting of their ability to accurately detect whether someone has previously been infected with the Sars-CoV-2 virus. The painstaking job of proving whether the tests do what they say has fallen to a worldwide network of 12 independent centres, of which Koopmans’s team is one.

Reaction from Fox News contributor Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas and Republican presidential candidate.

Boris Johnson's address from No 10 is expected to set out a "roadmap" for easing lockdown restrictions.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the firm will leave California after he is ordered to keep a factory shut.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought the entire country to a complete stand-still and one of the most hit industries is Bollywood. Not just have the releases been stalled, but also the shooting schedules have been indefinitely cancelled. Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learnt that producer Sajid Nadiadwala and his studio partner; Fox Star Studios are yet to receive money from their distributors for their recently released film Baaghi 3.

“It is usually a three to four week clearance window, but since the national lockdown, the workings in the industry were halted, with cinema halls downing their shutters. The top four national multiplex chains – PVR, INOX, CINEPOLIS and Carnival – will transfer the money to the stakeholders once the business is back to normal,” revealed a source close to the development. An estimated amount due to from the National Multiplex Chains is approximately Rs. 15 crores, while the other plexes and single screens are liable to pay around Rs. 20 to 25 crores, total amounting to Rs 35 to 40 crores.

Hungama has also learnt that the producers too are not putting any pressure on the national multiplex chains as well as the independent sub-distributors in the interiors to clear their dues due to the situation of chronic cash crunch in the country. “It’s a long term association and the losses due to delay in payments will be made up for in the future slate of release for the studio. Sajid Nadiadwala, on other hand, has got enough revenue from satellite, digital and sale of theatrical rights to not just recover the budget, but also make profits,” the source explained.

Baaghi 3 released on March 6 and was doing just about average business at the box-office. However, owing to the complete closure of cinema halls a week after its release, the Studio Partner, Fox Star Studios, will lose money on the product. “Even without lockdown, the project was a loss making venture for Fox Star Studios due to the price of acquisition.”

Also Read: Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi 3 may not re-release in theatres; will release now on digital platform

The measures comprise 24-hour sanitisation of factory premises, providing face masks and PPEs to all workers, temperature check of all employees twice daily, no sharing of tools, and ensuring physical distancing by raising barriers on work floors as well as dining facilities, among others

Kajol and Ajay Devgn completed 21 years of marital bliss. The couple has always set some serious goals with their polar opposite mannerisms. Ajay's calm demeanour perfectly blends in with Kajol's outgoing personality. The power couple also engages in fun banter on social media.

This time, we are talking about Ajay's throwback picture with Kajol comparing their 22 years of marriage to the lockdown. The black-and-white picture is from one of their films together. Sharing the picture, he wrote, Feels like it's been twenty two years since the lockdown began. #FridayFlashback @kajol (sic)".

 

 

 

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Feels like it’s been twenty two years since the lockdown began. #FridayFlashback @kajol

A post shared by Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) onMay 8, 2020 at 6:19am PDT

Aren't they the cutest couple? Their playful social media banter surely has always given us couple goals!

Recently, Kajol took to Instagram and wondered what day of the week it was. The star captioned it, "When Sunday and Monday are just the same. Wayback Wednesday."

 

 

 

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When Sunday and Monday are just the same... #lockdownstories #WaybackWednesday

A post shared by Kajol Devgan (@kajol) onMay 6, 2020 at 12:47am PDT

The duo has worked together in films like Gundaraj, Hulchul, Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, Dil Kya Kare, Raju Chacha, and U Me Aur Hum. The couple is blessed with two children, Yug and Nysa. The couple were last seen together in Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior. It has turned out to be the biggest hit of Devgn and Kajol's career, with staggering collections of over Rs. 275 crores.

Kajol was recently seen in the short film Devi, which received wide acclaim from the audience and critics alike. Devi also starred Neha Dhupia, Neena Kulkarni, Mukta Barve, Shivani Raghuvanshi, Yashaswini Dayama, Sandhya Mhatre and Rama Joshi. It can be viewed on YouTube.

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas returned to her California residence after attending Ambanis Holi party back in early March. Later, she was also seen chilling with Natasha Poonawalla at their Pune residence. Ever since the lockdown started, the actress is spending some quality time with husband Nick Jonas at their California home. Let's take a look at her quarantine chronicles right away!

The pretty pretty princess:

Priyanka Chopra Jonas' niece, with whom she is often seen spending time with, turned muse for her! Well, the results were spectacular. The actress let her niece paint her face with all the makeup, and look at what she turns out to be, a 'pretty pretty princess.' Do you know what's the highlight? Her adorable technique to put makeup on Miss World Priyanka Chopra's face. Take a look.

 

 

 

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First Monday in May ⁣ This year’s theme: Pretty Pretty Princess ⁣ Glam and creative direction by: @sky.krishna 📸- @divya_jyoti

A post shared by Priyanka Chopra Jonas (@priyankachopra) onMay 4, 2020 at 5:31pm PDT

Cuddles:

Gino was a gift o Nick Jonas on his 27th birthday! The actress surprised him with the most adorable gift ever. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, after Diana diaries, also has an Instagram page entirely dedicated to Gino Jonas. Cute!

 

 

 

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I promise Gino loves my cuddles. @ginothegerman

A post shared by Priyanka Chopra Jonas (@priyankachopra) onMay 5, 2020 at 5:07pm PDT

No gym, no problem:

A lot of people are finding it difficult to keep in shape during the lockdown period. It's not just food that has been a distraction to many, but also a lazy couch, and extremely fun content on television, which is just making everyone difficult to get back to their daily routine. There, there! But, Priyanka Chopra has found a fun way to keep it fit. Check out the video right here.

 

 

 

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No gym, no problem. @sky.krishna @divya_jyoti

A post shared by Priyanka Chopra Jonas (@priyankachopra) onMay 2, 2020 at 12:05pm PDT

The saree feels:

It has been almost three months many people have been under the lockdown. Not kidding! Being at home can be fun at times, but this has become a tad more unbearable. Not getting ready and not stepping out of the house at all, is not fun anymore! To keep up with the tradition, desi girl also missed wearing a saree during the lockdown period. But, surprise surprise, she wore it at home too!

 

 

 

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Felt like wearing a saree. So I did...At home. Miss everyone. ❤ï¸Â @nickjonas

A post shared by Priyanka Chopra Jonas (@priyankachopra) onApr 25, 2020 at 9:45pm PDT

The virtual concert:

Priyanka Chopra also announced to be part of a virtual benefit concert - 'One World: Together At Home'. The special event took place on April 18. The actress had also pledged USD 100,000 in total to four incredible women who rose above the challenges to make a difference during the coronavirus crises.

 

 

 

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See you soon. ❤ï¸Â One World: #TogetherAtHome with @glblctzn will be broadcast on all major networks and digitally tonight around the world. Join us to support @WHO’s Solidarity Response Fund. Who’s watching with me??!

A post shared by Priyanka Chopra Jonas (@priyankachopra) onApr 18, 2020 at 4:59pm PDT

On the professional front, Priyanka Chopra was last seen in Shonali Bose's  The Sky Is Pink, opposite Farhan Akhtar. The film was Priyanka's comeback film in Bollywood after a hiatus of three years. It also had Zaira Wasim and Rohit Saraf in pivotal roles among others. The Sky Is Pink is based on the life of the motivational speaker, Aisha Chaudhary, and how she didn't allow her pulmonary fibrosis to deter her spirits.

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Jacqueline Fernandez has stumbled upon life-altering realisations amid the ongoing lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. The actress says she has realised that life is too short, and it is important to make the most of the time we have in our hands.

"Honestly, the biggest lesson has been that when it comes to humankind we are pretty irrelevant, which means that we are extremely blessed to be on this planet because the planet would go on with us or without us. So, we have to be grateful and give back. That's the realisation -- we take Earth for granted," Jacqueline said, while reflecting upon how the lockdown has been a learning period for her.

"(Another lesson is that) life is short. We need to be doing things that we enjoy doing and love. We should be spending time with the people we love because you are here one day and gone the next. We really have to make the most out of life. It is such a lesson. These are the two main things I have realised during this period," added the actress, who is spending her lockdown with superstar Salman Khan and others at his farmhouse in Panvel.

Amid the shutdown, she is making the most of her time by enjoying moments like horse-riding, basking in the sun and reading a book -- evident in her recent Instagram posts.

On the work front, she was recently seen in "Mrs. Serial Killer", which released on Netflix on May 1. "Mrs. Serial Killer" is directed by Shirish Kunder and produced by his filmmaker wife Farah Khan. The thriller is about a wife, whose husband has been framed and imprisoned for serial murders. She needs to perform a murder exactly like the serial killer, to prove that her husband is innocent.

The film hinges on the question -- how far would you go for love.

Asked how far she would go for the people she loves, Jacqueline said: "I always think that when it comes to people you love, you kind of throw logic out of the window. But I am someone who is all about making sure that you are doing the right thing.

"It has to be the right thing. I always try to put that into perspective. If I feel a right thing is being done, then I will probably go to whatever extent I need to. I would never harm anyone though for love. I would do anything for love except harm anyone," said the actress, who won Miss Sri Lanka beauty pageant in 2006.

She made her debut in the Indian film industry with 2009 film "Aladin" opposite actor Riteish Deshmukh. The film turned out to be a dud at the box office, but Jacqueline got noticed and went on to do films like "Housefull 2", "Murder 2", "Kick", "Brothers", "Dishoom" and "Judwaa 2". "Mrs. Serial Killer" also stars Manoj Bajpayee and Mohit Raina.

Recalling the experience of working on the thriller, Jacqueline said: "It was great. They were so patient, kind and very supportive. There was a beautiful sense of unity and teamwork, and you learn so much from working with such amazing actors. It was really a beautiful experience."

Now, she is looking forward to the release of the song "Tere bina" with Salman, which they have shot amid the lockdown in the farm premises itself.

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Lobo Lobo came over last Monday, carrying many cartons of alcohol.

"Lobo Lobo, you know there's a lockdown, what are you doing?" I asked.

"Dikuna men, de BMC has agreed to the opening of liquor stores, so I decided to buy lots and lots of booze before dey close once again. I left my house early, and bought one bottle per store from Virar to VT men. I have totally purchased 20 whiskies, 10 vodkas, tirty Old Monks and many beers from 414 shops!" he proclaimed proudly.

"How did you escape all the nakabandis?

"It was easy, Boss! On top of each carton, I packed some set-top boxes, and told de cops dat all de ministers in Mantralaya needed new cable connections to watch reruns of Ramayana and Mahabaratha. Clever no?"

"And risky! Anyway. How are things generally? You've lost weight, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Wot to say? I'm toh jacked men. See fust tings fust. We were observing Lent, so I was fasting, like I normally do. No bleddy beef or booze, chhe! But, just wen I tought, now 'majha begins', just before Easter, de blasted virus struck! Now we are not getting any poke, or beef or mutton or fish. No sorpotel or vindaloo. Only bleddy chicken, which no self-respecting catlick eats men. Chhe! Dis Lent followed by lockdown is solid 'pakaoing' men! Even Christ our Lord, if he had predicted dat Lent was going to be followed by a lockdown, he would have said, 'My children forget fasting for me. For now eat, drink and be happy'."

"How about veggies, greens, sprouts, salads? Time to eat healthy, Lobo Lobo..."

"Arre Mr Rahul. I love bhindi and bhaingan. But, my better half, can't cook veggies for nuts. She actually argues dat tings like 'rajma' is bad for you, bloats your tummy! Wot to argue wid her men?"

"So, Lobo Lobo, you came all the way to my house for a reason right? Are you planning to sell me some whiskey, or are you lonely, feeling isolated, stuck in a cage-like existence?"

Lobo Lobo answered, gobsmacked, "Wot wot high funda tings you are aksing me men? Are you ok? I'm talking about technology men. I'm toh lost handling all dis stuff, wot is a Zoom call, can you tell me?"

"Uhm… who do you wish to communicate with?", I attempted to answer.

"My bleddy building society wants to have a Zoom party… Dese blighters all want to sit in frent of dere phones or laptops and drink and do blinking 'gupshup'. My tird floe padosi, de President Danesh Jhujunwalla, tells me dat he is a teetoteller but I know he is a 'boozard', chhe! And de treasurer, Champak Dudani is a foren returned smuggler. All want to drink men, chhe wastrels!"

"But, Lobo Lobo can you explain why you have bought so much alcohol?"

"Arrey men, de way tings are going, dis lockdown will end in 2021. Better be ready na Dikuna men? Who knows wen shops will reopen?"

Rahul daCunha is an adman, theatre director/playwright, photographer and traveller. Reach him at rahul.dacunha@mid-day.com

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During an exclusive conversation with International Business Times, India, founder of LetsOTT, Sunita Kumar shared her ideas about the co-existing nature of theatrical releases and OTT releases.

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1. Tamil Nadu to further relax COVID-19 lockdown restrictions from Monday  The Hindu
2. Coronavirus: Tamil Nadu relaxes lockdown measures further  Times of India
3. Major Relaxations For Non-Containment Zones In Tamil Nadu From Monday  NDTV
4. Tamil Nadu forms panel under ex-RBI Guv Rangarajan to advise measures to bring economy back on track  The Financial Express
5. Tamil Nadu moves Supreme Court against Madras high court order to close Tasmac liquor shops  Times of India
6. View Full coverage on Google News

1. Govt issues new guidelines for restarting industries after lockdown  Livemint
2. Consider Week 1 As Trial: Government On Industry Restart Post Lockdown  NDTV
3. NDMA issues guidelines on restarting manufacturing industries post lockdown  Economic Times
4. After Vizag gas leak, Centre issues guidelines for restarting industries post-coronavirus lockdown  khabrisala
5. 'Consider 1st Week Test Run Period': Post Vizag Tragedy, Govt Issues Rules to Reopen Industries After Loc...  News18
6. View Full coverage on Google News

Neil Simpson takes an in-depth look at how to ensure you are ready to travel for when the world reopens. Advice includes checking passports and insurance policies are still valid.

From travelogues to films and even webcams, Neil Simpson reveals how you can still explore the world from your own home during the lockdown.

Householders are being warned that the surge in energy usage will come at a price - with bills set to increase by an average of £32 a month.

Britain is home to works of art by some of the most important painters of all time, from J.M.W Turner to Salvador Dali. Here we pick nine unmissable masterpieces and show you where to find them...

Single parent Beverley Cohen, 55, from Brighton, pictured with her seriously disabled daughter Liora, left, has felt abandoned by the care system since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak.

ALEXANDRA SHULMAN: How much are you really drinking in these lockdown days? Studies claim that one person in three is drinking less often that causal, but I can't say I've come across them.

Piers Corbyn, 73, called the fine an 'abomination' and an 'attack on human rights' after he refused on numerous occasions to heed the police's polite requests in Central London today.

In Berlin, hundreds of protesters swarmed Alexanderplatz yesterday, clashing with riot police officers and shouting 'We are the people!' and 'Freedom!'.

Andrew Hebbs, 67 (pictured), told us this week that an appointment with a Toyota dealership for a recalled seatbelt fault on his Prius hybrid had been cancelled.

Benjamin Chen, 33, lost control of the ultra-rare $750,000 Porsche Mirage GT at 7.30 am on Tuesday and plowed into a parked car in New York City, which remains under strict coronavirus lockdown.

Parking officials in parts of Kent, including Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling are pocketing their full public sector salaries despite thousands of workers across the country being furloughed.

Since the lockdown was enforced on 23 March there has been a 'sharp deterioration in driving behaviour, with a noticeable increase in speeding', according to telematics data.

Drivers were caught driving at 'extreme speeds' on quiet roads over the Easter weekend, including a man who was clocked at 151mph on the M1 near London as he led police on a high-speed chase.

Car theft has rocketed by up to 60 per cent in parts of the UK as experts warn British motorists their vehicles are at greater risk during the lockdown (pictured, MailOnline map showing rise of car thefts).

The news of a new model comes as UK car dealers were told they can sell motors to customers as well as deliver them, as long as the government's strict guidelines on social distancing are upheld.

Once restrictions are scaled back, seeing family members unsurprisingly topped the list of first car journeys - though the second priority was to travel to a hairdressers to get a much-needed trim.

Roads with 30mph limits that have been found to be most lethal, with Department for Transport data showing that 60% of all accidents and 34% of all traffic-related fatalities occur in these zones.

Experts said that as soon as demand outstrips supply, motor dealers will 'look to reduce incentives and discounts'

Nick Freeman said the decision by some police forces not to pursue low-level speeding cases will mean motorists in certain parts of the country will effectively have the green light to put their foot down.

Psychologist Dr Julie Smith, pictured, has attracted 700,000 followers who follow her TikTok tips about practical methods of coping with mental illness. Even the World Health Organization uses TikTok.

There were 572 new hospitalizations due to coronavirus reported in New York on Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday. This is the lowest number since the lockdown on March 20.

Up to ten patrons will be allowed to visit cafes and restaurants and five people can visit another person's home under an anticipated easing of coronavirus restrictions in New South Wales.

Leaders in Victoria and New South Wales refused to make any changes and suggested most rules will be in place until June - even though we've had only four coronavirus deaths in the past week.

Exhausted Australian parents are sharing their hilarious stories about being stuck at home with their children during the coronavirus lockdown.

Renee Altakrity had her four-year-old son pulled from her arms by police during the 'Exercise My Rights' protest outside New South Wales parliament house on Saturday.

Tim Smith, Liberal member for Kew in Melbourne's east, said the premier was 'fear mongering' despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison releasing a national roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions.

Neil Simpson takes an in-depth look at how to ensure you are ready to travel for when the world reopens. Advice includes checking passports and insurance policies are still valid.

From travelogues to films and even webcams, Neil Simpson reveals how you can still explore the world from your own home during the lockdown.