News- UK

UK coronavirus live: NHS to launch Covid-19 recovery service to treat long-term effects The 72nd anniversary of NHS will see clap for carers at 5pm, as day two of lockdown easing measures take place in England‘Crystal clear’ drunk people can’t socially distance, say policeChancellor is considering giving all adults £500 vouchers to spendUnlocked and uncertain, the brave head out for a pint and a haircutCoronavirus - latest global updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.54pm BSTSurrey Police also said so-called Super Saturday had passed without incident.Detective Chief Inspector, Amy Buffoni, said that easing “was well respected” in Surrey. 12.49pm BSTCommander Bas Javid of the Metropolitan police says he is “pleased there were no significant ...

Kanye West declares he will run for US president in 2020 Rapper uses Independence Day to make announcement, but it’s not clear if he has filed any official paperwork to appear on ballotsJust when you thought 2020 couldn’t get any weirder, rapper Kanye West declared his candidacy for US president.The unlikely challenger to Donald Trump – of whom he has been a vocal supporter – and Joe Biden, chose American independence day to make the surprise announcement on Twitter, triggering a social media storm. Continue reading... Go to Source

‘Slums of the future’ may spring from relaxed UK planning rules, experts warn ‘Rabbit-hutch’ flats could be crammed into repurposed office spacesThousands of tiny, substandard “rabbit-hutch” flats could be created in commercial buildings left empty by the coronavirus economic slowdown under planning reforms championed by Boris Johnson.University College London professor Ben Clifford - who recently completed a government review of housing produced outside the conventional planning system - said allowing developers to turn a wider range of commercial properties into flats without planning checks could lead to a wave of substandard conversions. Continue reading... Go to Source

'Crystal clear' drunk people can't socially distance, say police in England Police Federation chair says revellers would not adhere to one-metre-plus rules as pubs opened on SaturdayUK coronavirus updates – liveGlobal coronavirus updates – liveSee all our coronavirus coverageDrunk people are unable to properly socially distance, the chairman of the Police Federation has said as pubs reopened in England for the first time since lockdown.John Apter said it was “crystal clear” revellers would not adhere to the one metre plus rule as restrictions were eased on Saturday. Continue reading... Go to Source

Gove and Johnson 'sold as slaves' at Oxford student charity event After PM’s behaviour with the Bullingdon Club, evidence emerges of further antics at Union Society fundraiser It may have only merited a few paragraphs in the student newspaper and have taken place 33 years ago, but an Oxford Union Society “slave auction” in which Boris Johnson and Michael Gove were involved is powerful proof of how politicians’ pasts can come back to haunt them.“Union slave auction” was the headline in Cherwell, the journal for Oxford students, on 12 June 1987. The small story has escaped the notice of the two men’s biographers and their profile writers until now. Continue reading... Go to Source

NHS chiefs in standoff with Treasury over emergency £10bn Despite the pledge to give the service ‘whatever it needs’ to tackle the pandemic, any extra funding now comes with strings attached Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageNHS bosses have accused the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, of breaking a pledge to give the health service “whatever it needs” after he refused to provide a £10bn cash injection needed to avoid it being crippled by a second wave of the coronavirus.They have warned ministers that without the money the NHS will be left perilously unprepared for next winter and the second spike in infections which doctors believe is inevitable. Nor will they be able to restart non-Covid services or treat the growing backlog in pat...

UK coronavirus live: pubs and hair salons reopen in England as lockdown eases - latest updates Follow all the day’s coronavirus news as the easing of lockdown measures in England also reopens restaurants, theme parks, galleries, hotels, cinemas and bingo hallsLet’s not blow it,’ says Boris Johnson on eve of English pubs reopeningCoronavirus – latest global updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.34pm BSTHere’s a rather amusing report from Press Association on pubs reopening in Chester:Drinkers have enjoyed their first post-lockdown pints as pubs reopened in Chester but remained shuttered just a few miles away over the border in Wales. 12.30pm BSTFootage has emerged of police officers being attacked as they broke up a music event in White City, London l...

Ghislaine Maxwell will not say anything about Prince Andrew, says friend Laura Goldman says she expects Maxwell to seek plea deal over charges relating to exploitation of young girlsGhislaine Maxwell would never say anything about the Duke of York’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, according to one of her friends.Maxwell appeared in court in the US on Thursday accused of helping disgraced financier Epstein “identify, befriend and groom” multiple girls, including one as young as 14. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: 53,000 more cases in US as WHO gives new virus timeline Fourth of July holiday weekend starts 53,000 new cases on Friday; WHO changes timeline of how it was alerted to virus; UK prepares for reopening of pubs. Follow all the developments liveWhat we’re learning about Covid as US states open upHow Victoria’s outbreak divided AustraliaScotland and Wales attack UK government’s shambolic travel changes 6.49am BSTI am handing over the blog to my esteemed colleague Calla Wahlquist now.We will have an update on the numbers from Victoria at 4pm, and then a national press conference at 4.30pm. 6.15am BSTWe still have yet to have a reported case of an unknown close contact identified through Australia’s Covidsafe contact tracing app, despite about ...

Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump Jr's girlfriend, tests positive for Covid-19 Ex-Fox News presenter is key fundraiser for Trump re-election campaign and latest of president’s circle to contract the diseaseUS records highest daily increase in coronavirus casesThe girlfriend of Donald Trump Jnr, the US president’s eldest son, has tested positive for the coronavirus, US media have reported.Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is a former Fox News television personality and a senior fundraiser for Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, is just the latest person in Trump’s inner circle to contract the potentially deadly virus. The news also comes as the US is experiencing a huge spike in coronavirus cases and amid withering criticism of Trump’s response to the crisis. Continue...

US under siege from 'far-left fascism', says Trump in Mount Rushmore speech US president enflames national tensions with attack on ‘leftwing revolution’ and plan for national memorial of statues of ‘American heroes’Standing beneath Mount Rushmore on the eve of American independence day, Donald Trump staged a defiant celebration of what critics say is white identity politics and warned the nation’s history is under siege from “far-left fascism”.The US president defended the symbolism of statues and monuments before a packed crowd at an event that revelled in political incorrectness calculated to enflame the country’s current divisions and enrage liberal critics. There were few face masks and even fewer people of color on stage or in the sta...

'Let's not blow it,' says Boris Johnson on eve of English pubs reopening PM gives Downing Street press conference as lockdown measures are eased againCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBoris Johnson has implored people to behave responsibly and safely as England’s chief medical officer admitted Saturday’s easing of the lockdown left the country treading a narrow path with serious risks “on either side”.In a press conference on the eve of changes that will allow restaurants, pubs and bars to reopen for the first time since March, the prime minister insisted “we are not out of the woods yet”. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus live: Chris Whitty warns people to distance despite English lockdown easing or risk a second wave Boris Johnson says local outbreaks will be feature of our lives for some time; official UK death toll rises by 137, government publishes list of 59 countries whose travellers won’t have to quarantine in EnglandPM criticised for latest cricket declarationIs coronavirus really in retreat in the UK?Hug, bump – or wave? How to behave as lockdown easesGlobal coronavirus updates – live 6.51pm BSTThat’s it from me on the UK side. Thank you to everybody who has been in touch throughout the day to keep me company and to share tips. Related: Coronavirus live news: Miami-Dade mayor imposes indefinite nightly curfew; South Africa cases surge 6.48pm BSTAt the brie...

Hong Kong activist Nathan Law: 'I don't know when I'll go back' The pro-democracy politician, continuing the fight from abroad, says the international front is keyThree years ago, Nathan Law was jailed for several months over his role in pro-democracy “umbrella movement” protests in Hong Kong. But even in prison, he never imagined he would consider fleeing his home.China’s decision to bring in a sweeping national security law that has criminalised many forms of peaceful protest in Hong Kong and carries penalties of up to life in prison changed that overnight. Continue reading... Go to Source

Prince Andrew's silence is a 'torture test' for Epstein's alleged victims, says lawyer Pressure grows on Duke of York to ‘speak up’ after the arrest of his friend Ghislaine MaxwellThe Duke of York was accused of subjecting alleged victims of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein to a “torture test” by his silence as lawyers for the women increased the pressure following the arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell.As Maxwell, 58, remained in custody on charges of facilitating former boyfriend Epstein’s sexual exploitation of underage girls, lawyers for multiple women demanded Prince Andrew “be a man”, “speak up” and stop “deliberately avoiding” US authorities. Continue reading... Go to Source

National Theatre tells 400 casual staff they will lose their jobs Front of house and backstage teams told by email they will only be paid until the end of August as Covid-19 crisis forces more job lossesThe National Theatre has told its 400-strong team of casual staff that they will lose their jobs in a move it said was unavoidable as the Covid-19 crisis continues to force job losses across the British theatre landscape.The NT said that it will still be “many months before it will be possible to perform to audiences at usual capacities” and as a result job losses are unavoidable. Continue reading... Go to Source

Vogue Portugal under fire for mental health cover in 'very bad taste' Front of magazine’s ‘Madness’ issue attacked as attempt to glamorise mental illnessVogue Portugal has been criticised for insensitive treatment of mental health on one of its latest magazine covers.The image – one of four covers created for its July/August “Madness” issue – features model Simona Kirchnerova crouched in a bath flanked by two nurses, with one pouring water over her head. The cover has been criticised both for attempting to glamorise mental illness and for the use of the outdated term “madness”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Prince Andrew under pressure after arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell Royal ‘bewildered’ after US attorney asks him to come forward following arrest of his friend over alleged sex crimesPressure on Prince Andrew to speak to FBI investigators was mounting after his friend Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested on charges of sex trafficking and perjury as part of its ongoing inquiry into the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.At a press conference in New York in which prosecutors detailed the allegations facing Maxwell, they urged the Prince to come forward. Continue reading... Go to Source

Friday briefing: Talk to us, US attorneys tell Andrew Ghislaine Maxwell’s arrest increases pressure on royal … PM to warn people to behave when pubs reopen … Vivica A Fox on Trump and BLMMorning everyone. I’m Martin Farrer and these are the top stories this morning. Continue reading... Go to Source

England's quarantine to be dropped for Spain, Italy, France and Germany Rule change to come into effect on 10 July, with full list of countries published on FridayCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageEnglish holidaymakers will be able to visit Spain, Italy, France and Germany without having to quarantine for 14 days on their return and travel restrictions on up to 60 other countries and territories are also set to be lifted.The government’s rule change will come into effect on 10 July with the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, describing it as a major step in “reopening the nation”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Details of behind closed doors BBC Proms announced Orchestras of a ‘Mozart size’ will play at the Royal Albert Hall from 28 AugustThere will be orchestras of Mozart and Beethoven size rather than Mahler and Shostakovich size but at least they will be performing live from the stage of the Royal Albert Hall, organisers of the BBC Proms have confirmed.There will almost certainly not, however, be any physical audience in the auditorium, including for the traditionally rousing and patriotic last night. Flag waving and singing along in your front room will be encouraged. Continue reading... Go to Source

Hong Kong activists planning 'parliament in exile' after China brings in security law Campaigner Simon Cheng, granted asylum in UK, says shadow parliament would send ‘clear signal’ to BeijingHong Kong pro-democracy activists are discussing a plan to create an unofficial parliament-in-exile to preserve democracy and send a message to China that freedom cannot be crushed, campaigner Simon Cheng has said.Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997, was convulsed by months of often violent, pro-democracy and anti-China demonstrations last year, resisting Chinese interference in its promised freedoms and posing the biggest political crisis for Beijing since the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Continue reading... Go to Source

Ghislaine Maxwell arrested by FBI and accused of 'setting trap' for Epstein victims Maxwell arrested in New Hampshire early Thursday morning17-page FBI indictment charges Maxwell with several crimesGhislaine Maxwell, the British socialite and close friend of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was arrested at a luxury hideaway in a small town in New Hampshire early on Thursday, the FBI announced, before charging her in relation to sex crimes, conspiracy and perjury.Prosecutors accused her of “slithering away” into hiding and of previously lying repeatedly about her direct and indirect involvement in the abuse of underage girls, because, they alleged, the truth was “almost unspeakable”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Revealed: raw sewage poured into Olympic Park wildlife haven Thames Water overflow pipe pumped waste for 1,000 hours into London wetlands last yearExclusive: water firms discharged raw sewage into England’s rivers 200,000 times in 2019Raw sewage was discharged for more than 1,000 hours from a Thames Water overflow pipe into an environmental wetland at the Olympic Park last year, the Guardian can reveal.The combined sewer overflow (CSO) at Mulberry Court pumped untreated waste 91 times into the waterway that feeds into the River Lea. To April this year, the same CSO has so far discharged for 34 hours in 20 incidents. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK set to award Covid-19 testing contracts worth £5bn to private bidders Advert says contracts will support UK testing strategy but critics fear move is ‘backdoor’ subsidyCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government is preparing to award coronavirus testing contracts worth an estimated £5bn to commercial bidders, in what critics fear is a “backdoor” subsidy to the private sector.The vast new budget, which works out at £2.5bn per year and will be managed by Public Health England, is equal to the entire annual spend on English NHS laboratories. Continue reading... Go to Source

'Liberate Hong Kong' slogan banned as protesters lie low City government declares slogan ‘subversive’ and says anyone using it risks prosecutionHong Kong on Thursday banned the most resonant slogan of its protest movement as those who had taken to the streets over the past year appeared to be laying low the day after the introduction of sweeping draconian national security laws prompted demonstrations, violence, and mass arrests.A statement from the city government declared that “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our time” had separatist connotations and was “subversive”, and that anyone using it risked prosecution under the new security legislation. Continue reading... Go to Source

Tobacco firm funded attack on council quit-smoking services Exclusive: PR company failed to tell local newspapers it was working for British American TobaccoA PR campaign against council stop-smoking services, which has led to reports in local papers across England, is funded by British American Tobacco, the Guardian can reveal.The PR agency Pagefield last week sent news outlets press releases that appeared to attempt to discredit NHS and council stop-smoking services, which are understood to create vast net savings nationally by helping people kick the habit. Pagefield did not initially say it was working on behalf of the manufacturer of cigarette brands including Camel, Pall Mall and Dunhill. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus live: getting schools back to normal is critical for national recovery, Williamson tells MPs Education secretary makes statement on guidance for schools on how to deal with Covid-19 outbreaks as they’re set to reopen in SeptemberFull story: English schools to open full time in SeptemberBan on non-essential travel to be lifted for some countriesOxford offers best hope of vaccine this year, MPs toldCoronavirus – latest global updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.46pm BSTNicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has just announced at her daily coronavirus briefing that the Scottish government will relax the two-metre rule for some businesses.She said the two-metre rule remained the benchmark. It has clear benefits, she said. But it also had economic...

One in six jobs to go as BBC cuts 450 staff from regional programmes Well-known local presenters to lose jobs and concerns raised about news qualityThe BBC is to make 450 staff working on its regional programmes in England redundant as part of cost-cutting measures which will see many well-known local television and radio presenters lose their jobs.The corporation also announced Inside Out, the award-winning regional current affairs strand with 11 regional editions in England, would be axed despite a campaign by celebrities to save it. Continue reading... Go to Source

China vows to stop UK granting Hongkongers residency Chinese ambassador says UK offer breaches international law, after UK foreign secretary admits it cannot force Beijing to let citizens leaveChina has said the UK has no right to grant residency to Hongkongers fleeing a harsh new national security law, and vowed to take “corresponding measures” to stop such a move.The comments, from the Chinese embassy in the UK, come after prime minister Boris Johnson pledged to honour a promise to offer nearly 3 million residents of the former British colony, those with British National (Overseas) status (BNO), the right to settle in the UK. Continue reading... Go to Source