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  Published Date: 2020-08-02 

 Image copyright Justin Dew Image caption Justin and Kay say they are still waiting for a couple more refunds from cancelling their reception Couples due to get married had hoped that from 1 August, receptions of up to 30 people would be allowed in England. That's what the government had planned for the next stage of lockdown easing. But last week, they put back the date, and receptions can still only be attended by a group of six people outside, or two households inside. It means many brides and grooms have rehashed their plans once, and now have to cancel or change them again. 'Heartbreaking to see her face' For Justin Dew and his fiancee, Kay, their day on 14 August will be a far cry from the 90-guest wedding they had originally planned. The couple had cut the guest list to 30 but, following the latest announcement, have cancelled their reception completely. However, they are going ahead with the ceremony. "We thought about it and we've decided that the most important thing is to get married," says Justin, 43, from Essex. "We we want something positive to come out of this so come hell or high water we'll be husband and wife on 14 August." The couple plan to broadcast the ceremony - which will be attended by 10 people, the maximum that can fit safely in the small register office - via Facebook. "I've got family abroad so we've decided to stream the wedding as a Facebook Live so that if they can't come to us they can be with us in another way," says Justin. "Our honeymoon is booked to Spain, would you believe. We'll probably cancel that as we can't isolate." Justin says he is gutted. "It's been in planning for over a year and although we'll get married we won't share it with everyone. "It's heartbreaking, my missus has put so much effort into everything. It's heartbreaking to see her face." But he adds: "I'm just happy that through technology we can still share the day with friends and family. It's not what we could have had but luckily we can still share the day. "August was meant to be the most exciting month for us but at least we can still get married, that's the main objective." What are the rules for weddings? Image copyright Getty Images Wedding ceremonies or civil partnerships (but not receptions) with up to 30 guests have been allowed since 4 July in England and the government has published guidelines on how to have a "Covid-secure" wedding. The guidelines list a series of restrictions, including that no food or drinks should be consumed as part of the ceremony and hands should be washed before and after the exchanging of rings. Northern Ireland has allowed outdoors weddings with 10 people present since early June. Wales and Scotland also now allow wedding ceremonies to take place, but social distancing must be observed, and big gatherings are not allowed. At present, receptions can only be attended by six people outside or two households inside. A planned relaxation in restrictions to allow a total of 30 people to attend wedding receptions from 1 August has been put back until 15 August at the earliest. 'Three separate receptions' Jane Watson and Dom Horsley, from York, are due to get married next weekend. Before the virus, the couple's plan was for a small ceremony with immediate family in Leeds and then a "big party" a couple of days later - but that prospect was axed when lockdown started. They then hoped to have a reception of 30 people in Jane's parents' garden. But after the government rowed back on allowing receptions, they're now looking at other ways they can celebrate. Image copyright Jane Watson Image caption "I guess everybody's got to pull their socks up and get on with it," says Dom "Luckily the wedding is still going ahead in some form or another," says Dom. "We want to get married. We love each other. And we're really hopeful we can do it in some way. "And whether that means that we end up having to have sort of three separate receptions afterwards where we put groups of six people and go around and see them for a few hours… We just want to do it whatever form we can." "It's been pretty stressful," Jane adds. "I realise there are more important things going on but for us it's quite stressful, we're just trying to make plans that include people that also stick by the guidelines." She says one of the worst things is that Dom's elderly grandparents will not be able to come. "We're trying to include them in some way by maybe going to their home so they can at least see us through the window in our wedding stuff." 'Frustrated, disappointed and confused' Alex Barclay and Katharina Lederle have already postponed their wedding once. The couple were due to celebrate with 90 friends and family in May over two floors of a West End club in London. They then postponed to 6 August and arranged a picnic for 30 people. But now they say they will probably only have four guests - including a photographer. "We're frustrated, disappointed and confused about the government announcement." Alex says. "There's a lack of logic, a lack of consistency to allow people in pubs, but not a socially-distanced wedding." Image copyright Katharina Lederle Image caption Alex Barclay and Katharina Lederle had originally planned to get married in May They have had to cancel their suppliers, which, Alex says, is having a "massive financial and emotional impact". "We knew quite soon we wanted to get married this year," Katharina says. "When we heard you could have 30 people outdoors, we thought, 'great'." Now the advice has changed they still hope to get married at Chelsea Town Hall and will possibly have a "little picnic" with their witnesses. 'Our plans are up in the air' Kirsty Drake is supposed to be getting married on 15 August in two weeks' time - when the decision on easing restrictions again is due to be reviewed. She had finalised plans this week for a small wedding reception but now the restrictions mean she is unable to go ahead with the gathering at her venue after her ceremony. "I'm a little bit emotional about it today," she says, speaking the day after the announcement. "Everything is all up in the air again." "What I don't understand is that if I wanted to now I could book six tables in a restaurant outside and sit and have a meal with those same group of people I've just got married with. We'd have to [socially distance] at the venue anyway. "In our situation it would be safer to have a meal at the venue where we are due to get married." 

  Published Date: 2020-08-02 

 Image copyright Justin Dew Image caption Justin and Kay say they are still waiting for a couple more refunds from cancelling their reception Couples due to get married had hoped that from 1 August, receptions of up to 30 people would be allowed in England. That's what the government had planned for the next stage of lockdown easing. But last week, they put back the date, and receptions can still only be attended by a group of six people outside, or two households inside. It means many brides and grooms have rehashed their plans once, and now have to cancel or change them again. 'Heartbreaking to see her face' For Justin Dew and his fiancee, Kay, their day on 14 August will be a far cry from the 90-guest wedding they had originally planned. The couple had cut the guest list to 30 but, following the latest announcement, have cancelled their reception completely. However, they are going ahead with the ceremony. "We thought about it and we've decided that the most important thing is to get married," says Justin, 43, from Essex. "We we want something positive to come out of this so come hell or high water we'll be husband and wife on 14 August." The couple plan to broadcast the ceremony - which will be attended by 10 people, the maximum that can fit safely in the small register office - via Facebook. "I've got family abroad so we've decided to stream the wedding as a Facebook Live so that if they can't come to us they can be with us in another way," says Justin. "Our honeymoon is booked to Spain, would you believe. We'll probably cancel that as we can't isolate." Justin says he is gutted. "It's been in planning for over a year and although we'll get married we won't share it with everyone. "It's heartbreaking, my missus has put so much effort into everything. It's heartbreaking to see her face." But he adds: "I'm just happy that through technology we can still share the day with friends and family. It's not what we could have had but luckily we can still share the day. "August was meant to be the most exciting month for us but at least we can still get married, that's the main objective." What are the rules for weddings? Image copyright Getty Images Wedding ceremonies or civil partnerships (but not receptions) with up to 30 guests have been allowed since 4 July in England and the government has published guidelines on how to have a "Covid-secure" wedding. The guidelines list a series of restrictions, including that no food or drinks should be consumed as part of the ceremony and hands should be washed before and after the exchanging of rings. Northern Ireland has allowed outdoors weddings with 10 people present since early June. Wales and Scotland also now allow wedding ceremonies to take place, but social distancing must be observed, and big gatherings are not allowed. At present, receptions can only be attended by six people outside or two households inside. A planned relaxation in restrictions to allow a total of 30 people to attend wedding receptions from 1 August has been put back until 15 August at the earliest. 'Three separate receptions' Jane Watson and Dom Horsley, from York, are due to get married next weekend. Before the virus, the couple's plan was for a small ceremony with immediate family in Leeds and then a "big party" a couple of days later - but that prospect was axed when lockdown started. They then hoped to have a reception of 30 people in Jane's parents' garden. But after the government rowed back on allowing receptions, they're now looking at other ways they can celebrate. Image copyright Jane Watson Image caption "I guess everybody's got to pull their socks up and get on with it," says Dom "Luckily the wedding is still going ahead in some form or another," says Dom. "We want to get married. We love each other. And we're really hopeful we can do it in some way. "And whether that means that we end up having to have sort of three separate receptions afterwards where we put groups of six people and go around and see them for a few hours… We just want to do it whatever form we can." "It's been pretty stressful," Jane adds. "I realise there are more important things going on but for us it's quite stressful, we're just trying to make plans that include people that also stick by the guidelines." She says one of the worst things is that Dom's elderly grandparents will not be able to come. "We're trying to include them in some way by maybe going to their home so they can at least see us through the window in our wedding stuff." 'Frustrated, disappointed and confused' Alex Barclay and Katharina Lederle have already postponed their wedding once. The couple were due to celebrate with 90 friends and family in May over two floors of a West End club in London. They then postponed to 6 August and arranged a picnic for 30 people. But now they say they will probably only have four guests - including a photographer. "We're frustrated, disappointed and confused about the government announcement." Alex says. "There's a lack of logic, a lack of consistency to allow people in pubs, but not a socially-distanced wedding." Image copyright Katharina Lederle Image caption Alex Barclay and Katharina Lederle had originally planned to get married in May They have had to cancel their suppliers, which, Alex says, is having a "massive financial and emotional impact". "We knew quite soon we wanted to get married this year," Katharina says. "When we heard you could have 30 people outdoors, we thought, 'great'." Now the advice has changed they still hope to get married at Chelsea Town Hall and will possibly have a "little picnic" with their witnesses. 'Our plans are up in the air' Kirsty Drake is supposed to be getting married on 15 August in two weeks' time - when the decision on easing restrictions again is due to be reviewed. She had finalised plans this week for a small wedding reception but now the restrictions mean she is unable to go ahead with the gathering at her venue after her ceremony. "I'm a little bit emotional about it today," she says, speaking the day after the announcement. "Everything is all up in the air again." "What I don't understand is that if I wanted to now I could book six tables in a restaurant outside and sit and have a meal with those same group of people I've just got married with. We'd have to [socially distance] at the venue anyway. "In our situation it would be safer to have a meal at the venue where we are due to get married." 

  Published Date: 2020-08-02 

 Video Six year-old Ayaan and Mikaeel, along with their community, have raised more than £37,000 for the Yemen crisis. With the ongoing conflict in Yemen tens of thousands of lives have been lost. An estimated 24m people, equivalent to 80% of the country's population, are now in need of humanitarian aid to survive. The scale of this crisis is the largest in the world, according to Unicef. When best friends Ayaan and Mikaeel from Redbridge, east London, learnt about this they set up a lemonade stand to raise funds because they wanted to help. Video by Gem O'Reilly 

  Published Date: 2020-08-02 

 Image copyright Reuters One of India's best known film stars, Amitabh Bachchan, has been discharged from hospital after being treated for Covid-19. Last month the 77-year-old actor told his millions of Twitter followers that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. On Sunday, he said he had left hospital after testing negative. He thanked his fans for their prayers, as well as staff at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai for their "excellent care". Bachchan was admitted to hospital last month along with his son, Abhishek, who also tested positive. The actor's daughter-in-law and granddaughter also had positive tests. India is currently seeing a surge in coronavirus infections. On Saturday, the country reported more than 57,000 new cases in 24 hours - the highest daily total to date. It was the third day in a row that India recorded more than 50,000 new cases. Maharashtra, home to the financial capital, Mumbai, is the worst affected state. But there are rapid rises in many other parts of the country including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Assam. Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Amitabh Bachchan: India fans prayed for Bollywood star to beat Covid-19 Amitabh Bachchan is one of the world's most prolific film stars having been involved in 200 films in five decades as a star. With roles in hit movies such as Zanjeer and Sholay he has a huge fan following in India, South Asia and among the Indian diaspora in countries including the UK. Since rising to fame in the 1970s, he has won numerous accolades including four National Film Awards and 15 Filmfare Awards. France has also bestowed its highest civilian award on him - the Legion of Honour - for his contribution to cinema. Outside acting, Bachchan had a brief stint in politics and was elected as a member of India's parliament in 1984 at the behest of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. But he resigned three years later, disillusioned by a corruption scandal under Mr Gandhi's government. 

  Published Date: 2020-08-02 

 Image caption The bar said customers who had visited on 26 July had tested positive for coronavirus A cluster of 13 cases of Covid-19 linked to a pub in Aberdeen is being investigated by public health officials. NHS Grampian said the cases were associated with The Hawthorn Bar in Holburn Street in the city centre. The pub said the outbreak was linked to customers who visited on 26 July. All those who tested positive are showing only mild symptoms, though the health board said there may be further cases linked to the cluster. They said physical distancing measures were in place at the bar and contact tracing was being carried out in line with the Scottish government's Test and Protect scheme. Dr Emmanuel Okpo, consultant in public health medicine, said: "Our health protection team are speaking to the confirmed cases, establishing who they have been in contact with and providing further advice on isolation and testing as required. "We are also carrying out wider contact tracing work, as part of the Test and Protect scheme. "We cannot rule out the possibility of detecting further cases linked to this cluster." Image copyright Google In a statement published on their Facebook page, management at The Adams & The Hawthorn said they had been given permission to continue trading and that appropriate safety measures were in place. They added: "It has been brought to our attention that there have been customers who visited our venue on Sunday 26 July that have tested positive for Covid-19. "We wish to inform all customers that we have been visited by environmental health since being notified. "We were given approval from the local authority to continue trading with our measures in place and have co-operated fully. " The statement said the venue had undergone deep cleaning as well as "decontamination by fogging". "We assure all customers we have been and continue to do our utmost to protect their safety and we continue with strict rules and measures in place," it said. "We do ask all customers to be extra vigilant and adhere to our policies at all times." 

  Published Date: 2020-08-02 

 Video Six year-old Ayaan and Mikaeel, along with their community, have raised more than £37,000 for the Yemen crisis. With the ongoing conflict in Yemen tens of thousands of lives have been lost. An estimated 24m people, equivalent to 80% of the country's population, are now in need of humanitarian aid to survive. The scale of this crisis is the largest in the world, according to Unicef. When best friends Ayaan and Mikaeel from Redbridge, east London, learnt about this they set up a lemonade stand to raise funds because they wanted to help. Video by Gem O'Reilly 

  Published Date: 2020-08-02 

 Image copyright EPA Florida is preparing for Tropical Storm Isaias which is expected to hit the US state later on Sunday. Isaias, the ninth named storm of 2020, was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm after battering the Turks & Caicos Islands and the Bahamas. "Don't be fooled by the downgrade," Governor Ron DeSantis warned residents. State authorities have opened shelters and closed beaches and parks. Florida is one of the US states worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic. It has recorded more than 480,000 coronavirus cases, the second highest number of all US states after California, which has double the population. Coronavirus testing centres are being temporarily shut and there are fears the hurricane could hit nursing homes already badly affected by the Covid-19 virus. How has Florida been affected so far? Early bands of heavy rain lashed the state's Atlantic coast early on Sunday morning. The storm is now continuing along the coast with winds gusting up to 110km/hour (68mph). A voluntary evacuation order is in place for people living in mobile or manufactured homes. Officials are grappling with opening shelters that comply with social distancing regulations and prevent the spread of the virus. Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Matt Taylor reports on storm Isaias Mr De Santis told residents to anticipate power shortages and to have a week's supply of food, water and medicine. Isaias has already uprooted trees, destroyed crops and homes and caused flooding and landslides in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. At least two people have died. 

  Published Date: 2020-08-02 

 Image copyright EPA Florida is preparing for Tropical Storm Isaias which is expected to hit the US state later on Sunday. Isaias, the ninth named storm of 2020, was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm after battering the Turks & Caicos Islands and the Bahamas. "Don't be fooled by the downgrade," Governor Ron DeSantis warned residents. State authorities have opened shelters and closed beaches and parks. Florida is one of the US states worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic. It has recorded more than 480,000 coronavirus cases, the second highest number of all US states after California, which has double the population. Coronavirus testing centres are being temporarily shut and there are fears the hurricane could hit nursing homes already badly affected by the Covid-19 virus. How has Florida been affected so far? Early bands of heavy rain lashed the state's Atlantic coast early on Sunday morning. The storm is now continuing along the coast with winds gusting up to 110km/hour (68mph). A voluntary evacuation order is in place for people living in mobile or manufactured homes. Officials are grappling with opening shelters that comply with social distancing regulations and prevent the spread of the virus. Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Matt Taylor reports on storm Isaias Mr De Santis told residents to anticipate power shortages and to have a week's supply of food, water and medicine. Isaias has already uprooted trees, destroyed crops and homes and caused flooding and landslides in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. At least two people have died. 

  Published Date: 2020-08-02 

 Image copyright Reuters One of India's best known film stars, Amitabh Bachchan, has been discharged from hospital after being treated for Covid-19. Last month the 77-year-old actor told his millions of Twitter followers that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. On Sunday, he said he had left hospital after testing negative. He thanked his fans for their prayers, as well as staff at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai for their "excellent care". Bachchan was admitted to hospital last month along with his son, Abhishek, who also tested positive. The actor's daughter-in-law and granddaughter also had positive tests. India is currently seeing a surge in coronavirus infections. On Saturday, the country reported more than 57,000 new cases in 24 hours - the highest daily total to date. It was the third day in a row that India recorded more than 50,000 new cases. Maharashtra, home to the financial capital, Mumbai, is the worst affected state. But there are rapid rises in many other parts of the country including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Assam. 

  Published Date: 2020-08-02 

 Image caption The bar said customers who had visited on 26 July had tested positive for coronavirus A cluster of 13 cases of Covid-19 linked to a pub in Aberdeen is being investigated by public health officials. NHS Grampian said the cases were associated with The Hawthorn Bar in Holburn Street in the city centre. The pub said the outbreak was linked to customers who visited on 26 July. All those who tested positive are showing only mild symptoms, though the health board said there may be further cases linked to the cluster. They said physical distancing measures were in place at the bar and contact tracing was being carried out in line with the Scottish government's Test and Protect scheme. Continue trading Dr Emmanuel Okpo, consultant in public health medicine, said: "Our health protection team are speaking to the confirmed cases, establishing who they have been in contact with and providing further advice on isolation and testing as required. "We are also carrying out wider contact tracing work, as part of the Test and Protect scheme. "We cannot rule out the possibility of detecting further cases linked to this cluster." Image copyright Google In a statement published on their Facebook page, management at The Adams & The Hawthorn said they had been given permission to continue trading and that appropriate safety measures were in place. They added: "It has been brought to our attention that there have been customers who visited our venue on Sunday 26 July that have tested positive for Covid-19. "We wish to inform all customers that we have been visited by environmental health since being notified. "We were given approval from the local authority to continue trading with our measures in place and have co-operated fully. " The statement said the venue had undergone deep cleaning as well as "decontamination by fogging". "We assure all customers we have been and continue to do our utmost to protect their safety and we continue with strict rules and measures in place," it said. "We do ask all customers to be extra vigilant and adhere to our policies at all times."