The Standard

Despite the law making it mandatory, it's not uncommon to find people wandering around supermarkets without wearing a face mask. Now the big store bosses are being summoned to a meeting with government officials and the police to discuss why. An agenda for the meeting seen by the Evening Standard says it will be an  attempt to find ways to “collectively promote compliance” with the rules. Our city editor, Jim Armitage, tells us retailers say they don't have the powers to "put shoppers in a half nelson and march them out the store" if they don't wear a mask. But as the sector is one of the few making large profits during the pandemic, some are asking if shops are putting profits before safety? 

Also, the first black male chief crown prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service’s history has told the Evening Standard he does not want to be perceived as a “poster boy” and is vowing to bring about real change. Lionel Idan, whose team convicted two of Stephen Lawrence’s racist killers in 2012, grew up in Ghana where his father lectured in art and literature. He's spoken to our crime correspondent Anthony France, who says the appointment comes not a moment too soon amid calls for compulsory anti-racism training at every level of our legal system.

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The government's describing how the new lockdown system will work, with areas being placed under three different types of restrictions. Our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, tells us how the rules will operate and why some leaders in the north think they favour the south. He also reveals that a worrying rise in coronavirus cases in London means the city is likely to be put under Tier 2 limits, and why those will be imposed across the capital despite varying infection rates in different boroughs. 

Also, #Fatima has been trending after many working in the arts took offence to an advert encouraging a ballet dancer to retrain in cyber security. It's overshadowed the government launching its £1.57bn Cultural Recovery Fund, and reinforced concerns among some in the industry that their livelihoods aren't being taken seriously. The Evening Standard's Hattie Brewis explains how the advert was created in the first place, and why both the culture secretary and Prime Minister have condemned it as "crass" and "unacceptable".

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A new furlough scheme for areas affected by local lockdowns, paying two thirds of workers’ wages in businesses forced to close, is expected from Chancellor Rishi Sunak. But the Evening Standard's Jonathan Prynn says "son of furlough" will only be available to limited sectors in very few areas. Meanwhile, it looks like the Eat Out to Help Out scheme didn't bring the economic bump it was expected to. Jonathan tells us why surprisingly low GDP figures have got some economists worried about when a financial turnaround for the country might come.

Also, The Evening Standard’s launched a campaign to get sports fans back in stadiums. Backed by England and Arsenal football legend Ian Wright, it comes as our investigation reveals London alone has lost close to 1 billion pounds because the spending power of thousands of fans on football match days has vanished. Meanwhile, technology bosses tell us crowds of around 30 percent capacity could return safely with systems monitoring and controlling crowds. Sports journalist Marc Webber, from FC Business and BBC Final Score, tells us what it's like going to games without crowds, and how people could be allowed back in with safety measures.

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The Commission on Presidential Debates says the next round between Donald Trump and Joe Biden will be held 'virtually;' but Mr Trump's refusing to have anything to do with it. He told Fox News the idea of the candidates being in separate locations is "not acceptable". It has, though, been done before when John F Kennedy and Richard Nixon faced off for the third time in 1960, 3, 000 miles apart. Julie Norman, from UCL's Centre on US politics tells us how a Zoom debate could work, and why it might be in Donald Trump's best interests to change his mind and take part. 

Also, EasyJet's posted its first ever financial loss and asked the government to help the aviation industry in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The group warned it was likely to make a loss in the year to 30th September of £815 million to £845 million compared to last year's pre-tax profit of £427 million. Travel journalist Simon Calder says the entire industry is calling on Downing Street to do something. He also talks to us about the final flight of BA's 747 fleet, saying it's time for the "gas guzzlers" to go.

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London’s hospitality industry has lashed out at Boris Johnson’s ‘misguided’ 10pm curfew, saying it's causing huge damage to the economy without the scientific evidence to back up the health benefits. The industry’s most influential leaders say that a staggered system of rolling closing times would be safe and give venues a better chance at operating profitably. The Caterer’s deputy editor Emma Lake says they want the government to work with the industry to plan a safer, longer-term approach, rather than enforcing a blanket rule. 

And, MPs have come under fire from virus experts for raising hopes that a Covid-19 vaccine will be a ‘one-shot wonder’ that will swiftly allow millions to return to normal life. The Evening Standard’s health editor Ross Lydall says they’re warning the government not to ‘overblow’ the impact, and say that a vaccine may not be widely available for another 18 months. 

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People may have caught Covid-19 because an Excel spreadsheet failure stopped nearly 16,000 cases being transferred swiftly to the test-and-trace system. The mistake's baffled medics like former World Health Organisation doctor Professor Karol Sikora, who joins the podcast to tell us it's not the first error, and the entire system needs overhauled. He also explains how the updated set of figures, including the previously lost numbers, actually show the country doing as expected against the disease, with a lower number of people needing to be hospitalised than thought. 

And, James Bond's under fire, which is probably normal for him, but this time it's film critics taking aim. There's anger after cinema chain Cineworld decided to shut its theatres in the UK and US because the new Bond movie, No Time to Die, has been delayed again. Jack Shepherd, from Total Film magazine, tells us why movie bosses made the decision, and how constant delays of blockbusters are causing problems. He also gives recommendations for people who so still want to go to the movies this week. 

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The White House is insisting it's business as usual in the Oval Office, with Donald Trump continuing to work despite testing positive for coronavirus. But, already there are signs the country's going through a political and cultural upheaval. Julie Norman, from UCL's US Politics Centre tells us how the second debate with Joe Biden hangs in the balance, and even the election date of November 3rd is in doubt. It also looks like the President's previously mask-wary supporters are now more likely to take precautions, including mail-in voting.

The UK has its own coronavirus row with SNP MP Margaret Ferrier admitting she took a 500-mile train trip after being diagnosed with the infection. She also gave a speech inside the House of Commons despite suffering symptoms. The Evening Standard's political correspondent Sophia Sleigh says members of the House, and staff in Parliament, are furious at her "recklessness" and the actions once more risk the public losing trust in its politicians at a time when they're being asked to follow an ever increasing lockdown rulebook. 

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#CutHisMic has been all over social media after a US presidential debate that descended into chaos. Moderator Chris Wallace seemed unable to control Donald Trump, who repeatedly shouted at, insulted and interrupted Joe Biden in Cleveland. Christopher Phelps, associate professor of American studies at Nottingham University, tells us why the TV network would have been reluctant to silence a sitting president, but bosses looking at future debates might well be quicker on the trigger. He also says Mr Trump's aggressive strategy will likely have backfired, with those still undecided on how to vote looking for more substance on what's being done about coronavirus, the economy and a race crisis in the States. 

Also, France has decided to let restaurants stay open past the country's 10pm curfew, although the rules are unchanged for pubs. The Evening Standard's Jonathan Prynn says that's caught the attention of the hospitality trade here, which says lockdown rules are making it nearly impossible for them to get enough customers through the doors. Meanwhile, the curfew's also being partly blamed for a continuing lack of passengers on public transport in London. Ros Morgan, from the Heart of London Business Alliance, tells us why TFL needs a five year bailout deal to make sure services keep running through the pandemic and beyond. 

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