News- UK

MPs urged to do unconscious bias training as dozens of Tories set to reject it Anti-racism campaigner Simon Woolley ‘appalled’ that anyone would say no to Commons’ pilot schemeEvery parliamentarian should undertake unconscious bias training if asked so they can be better at their jobs, according to a leading anti-racism campaigner who spoke out after it emerged up to 40 Tory MPs are expected to refuse to take part in classes.Simon Woolley, a crossbench peer who founded Operation Black Vote and formerly chaired the government race disparity unit’s advisory group, said he was “appalled” that any MP would say no to the training being piloted in the Commons. Continue reading... Go to Source

Leaks show Chelsea owner Abramovich funded Israeli settler group Russian oligarch’s firms donated £74m to Elad, who are accused of trying to seize Palestinian neighbourhoodsCompanies controlled by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich donated tens of millions of pounds to a highly controversial Israeli settler group accused of displacing Palestinian families from Jerusalem, according to leaked documents seen by BBC News Arabic.The billionaire Russian oligarch, who was granted Israeli citizenship in 2018, has been an avid philanthropist in Israel, donating huge sums to research and development projects and investing in local firms. Continue reading... Go to Source

Italian airport quashes claims of secret Boris Johnson trip President of Perugia airport contradicts press reports that PM visited on 11 SeptemberCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAn Italian airport has quashed reports the prime minister landed there to make a secretive trip to the country less than a fortnight ago, a claim described by Downing Street as “completely untrue”. Related: From scandal to PR cock-up: how the Boris Johnson Perugia mystery unravelled Continue reading... Go to Source

Raising of UK Covid alert level opens door to major restrictions Chief medical officers agree jump to level 4, meaning virus is ‘high or rising exponentially’Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK’s Covid-19 alert level has been raised to four, meaning the virus is “high or rising exponentially” – a move which will give Boris Johnson cover for significant new restrictions to stem the surge of the virus.The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said the change “reflects the significant shift in the current threat posed by coronavirus”. He added: “This country now faces a tipping point in its response and it is vital everybody plays their part now to stop the spread of the virus and protect lives.” Continue reading... Go to Source

'I'm traumatised now': Covid bereaved call for inquiry into NHS 111 Hundreds of people believe the helpline failed their relatives. Now they are demanding their voices be heardCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageFamilies whose relatives died from Covid-19 in the early period of the pandemic are calling for an inquiry into the NHS 111 service, arguing that many critically ill people were given inadequate advice and told to stay at home.The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group says approximately a fifth of its 1,800 members – more than 350 people – believe the 111 service failed to recognise how seriously ill their relatives were and direct them to appropriate care. Continue reading... Go to Source

Westminster Cathedral says PM's son baptised on day of alleged Italy trip No 10 says PM attended baptism in London on 12 September so he could not have taken secret trip to PerugiaCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageOne of Boris Johnson’s ministers has denied a report in the Italian media that the UK prime minister made a secret trip to the country less than a fortnight ago, a claim Downing Street has also rejected as “completely untrue”.Asked if Johnson had landed in Perugia in the past two weeks, which the Umbrian airport said in a statement had happened, Grant Shapps, the transport minister, told Sky News: “Not that I’m aware of. I think it’s mistaken, as far as I’m aware.” Continue reading... Go to Source

Meghan and Harry did not cooperate with book authors, court told Duchess’s lawyers reject claim made by Mail publisher in latest hearing of legal actionThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not collaborate with the authors of a recent book about them, Meghan’s lawyers told the high court in the latest hearing of her legal action against the Mail on Sunday.Meghan, 39, is suing Associated Newspapers (ANL), publisher of the Mail on Sunday and Mail Online, over articles that reproduced part of her handwritten letter to her estranged father, 76-year-old Thomas Markle, in August 2018. Continue reading... Go to Source

Grenfell insulation was sold at almost 50% discount, inquiry hears Inexperienced project manager says he did not check it complied with fire safety regulationsGrenfell Tower may have been used as “a guinea pig” for a newly branded insulation material that burned and released toxic gas, contributing to the deaths of 72 people, the inquiry into the disaster has heard.Foam boards used to insulate the west London council block were sold at an almost 50% discount by their manufacturer, Celotex, to contractors who were asked for help making the refurbishment a “case study” for the firm, the public inquiry was told. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK could have 50,000 Covid cases a day by mid-October, says chief medical officer Country should be prepared for significant restrictions for next six months, says Chris WhittyCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK has “turned a corner” for the worse and is on course for up to 50,000 new daily cases of Covid-19 by mid-October, which could lead to 200 deaths a day by the following month, the chief medical officer for England has warned.The country should be prepared for significant restrictions for the next six months, over the winter period when the virus can be expected to flourish, Prof Chris Whitty said. Continue reading... Go to Source

No 10 denies reports Boris Johnson went on secret Italy trip Minister also rejects airport’s statement PM flew into Perugia in past fortnightCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageOne of Boris Johnson’s ministers has denied a report in the Italian media that the UK prime minister made a secret trip to the country less than a fortnight ago, a claim Downing Street has also rejected as “completely untrue”.Asked if Johnson had landed in Perugia in the past two weeks, which the Umbrian airport said had happened in a statement, Grant Shapps, the transport minister, told Sky News: “Not that I’m aware of. I think it’s mistaken, as far as I’m aware.” Continue reading... Go to Source

UK plan to use all-male team to host UN climate summit angers observers All senior politicians, civil servants and negotiators to represent Britain at next year’s Cop26 talks are menThe UK is fielding an all-male team to host a vital UN climate summit next year, flouting international norms and angering activists and observers, who say the lack of gender balance imperils progress on key issues.All of the politicians who will host the Cop26 talks for the UK in Glasgow are men, from the business secretary Alok Sharma, who will act as president of the summit, to his team of climate and energy ministers – Lord Callanan, Lord Goldsmith and Kwasi Kwarteng – who have represented the UK in recent online meetings. Continue reading... Go to Source

Watchmen, Succession and Schitt's Creek dominate virtual Emmys The most diverse field in Emmys history garnered several awards for black actors and a full sweep for a Canadian sitcomEmmy winners 2020: the full listIt was uncharted waters for the 72nd Emmy awards – the first major acting awards show held since the pandemic began, a strange and subdued ceremony in which stars accepted awards on Zoom. But unwelcome new methods (the telecast required more than 100 live feeds), and the end of former Emmys juggernauts Game of Thrones and Veep, ushered in a celebration of new series and talent: Canadian comedy Schitt’s Creek swept the comedy awards, HBO’s Succession dominated in drama and the evening’s most-nominated show, HBO’s prescient, eerie Watchmen, cleaned up in the limited series categ...

Barclays and HSBC shares fall after reports of alleged suspicious transfers Standard Chartered stock also falls after claims banking sector handled $2tn in potentially corrupt transactionsShares in the banking sector have fallen after media reports that some of the world’s largest banks moved large sums of allegedly illicit funds over nearly two decades, despite red flags about the origins of the money.Barclays fell by 4% in early trading in London on Monday and HSBC and Standard Chartered both lost 3%. Earlier in Hong Kong, HSBC dropped more than 4%, taking the shares to their lowest level since May 1995. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK at 'critical point' over Covid-19, top scientists to tell public Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty to make TV appeal ahead of ‘challenging winter’Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBritain’s most senior government scientists will make a direct appeal to the public on Monday, warning that the coronavirus trend is “heading in the wrong direction” and “a critical point has been reached”.As Downing Street considers imposing nationwide curbs to contain a sharp jump in cases, the chief medical officer for England, Chris Whitty, will make a rare live televised address alongside the UK chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance. Continue reading... Go to Source

Parliament surrendered role over Covid emergency laws, says Lady Hale Exclusive: former supreme court president criticises manner in which controls were enacted Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe former president of the supreme court says parliament “surrendered” its role over emergency laws restricting freedoms amid the coronavirus pandemic, in an intervention expected to embolden MPs threatening a Commons revolt.Lady Hale, who retired in January after becoming the first woman to lead the supreme court in 2017, is critical of the way health regulations were imposed on the public with little or no parliamentary scrutiny. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jonathan Aitken given parliamentary pass despite jail sentence Exclusive: former minister convicted of perjury had grace-and-favour Westminster accessThe former Conservative minister Jonathan Aitken was awarded a grace-and-favour parliamentary pass despite the House of Commons claiming that ex-MPs jailed for more than a year were ineligible.The passes allow former MPs unaccompanied access to the parliamentary estate even after they have ceased to serve their constituencies. Continue reading... Go to Source

Boris Johnson's Brexit bill straight out of Trump playbook, David Lammy says Labour MP criticises Cummings and says Tory government has dented UK’s standing in the worldBoris Johnson’s law-breaking Brexit bill is straight out of the Donald Trump playbook, and leaves justice secretary Robert Buckland looking “a very small figure,” says shadow justice secretary David Lammy.As the controversial internal market bill returns to the House of Commons this week, the prime minister appears to have bought off most Tory rebels by promising a parliamentary vote before the powers in it would be used. Continue reading... Go to Source

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Republican Lisa Murkowski will not support filling vacancy before election – live Trump promises to nominate woman within a week‘I will fight!’: mourners’ vow at supreme court vigilRobert Reich: For McConnell, power trumps principleObituary: ‘Formidably clever with a superhuman capacity for work’Sign up for our First Thing newsletter 6.31pm BST Jahana Hayes, a Democratic US representative from Connecticut, has tested positive for coronavirus and will quarantine for 14 days, she announced Sunday on Twitter. Related: Trump health official says ‘biology independent of politics’ as US nears 200,000 Covid deaths 6.08pm BST Reuters reports on a huge boost for Democratic causes, as donors flock to put their money where their mouths are over the death of Ruth Bader Ginsbur...

Thai protesters call for reform of monarchy and general strike Thousands march to demand curbs on the power and budget of the royal familyThousands of Thai protesters marched near the official residence of the king on Sunday to hand-deliver a letter demanding curbs on the power and budget of the royal family, in one of the boldest challenges to the institution in living memory.Thailand’s monarchy has long been considered beyond direct public criticism, but over recent months a student-led pro-democracy movement has broken deeply ingrained taboos to call for reforms. Continue reading... Go to Source

Matt Hancock: Britain is at coronavirus tipping point Health secretary says talks are continuing about possible new restrictions in LondonCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe health secretary, Matt Hancock, has warned that the UK is at a “tipping point” nationally, while new coronavirus restrictions on London could be introduced in the coming days.“This country faces a tipping point,” he said. “We face a choice. If everybody follows the rules – and we’ll be increasingly stringent on the people who are not following the rules – then we can avoid further national lockdowns. But we of course have to be prepared to take action if that it what is necessary. I don’t rule it out; I don’t want to see it.” Continue reading... Go to Source

Tory MPs plot rebellion over renewal of emergency Covid laws Politicians express frustration at aspects of restrictions due to be renewed this monthCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageConservative MPs irked by the government’s sweeping lockdown measures are plotting a rebellion when emergency Covid legislation is renewed this month, led by the party grandee Sir Graham Brady.Many Tories have publicly expressed their frustration at aspects of the restrictions. Some are also concerned the emergency law passed six months ago leaves too much power in the hands of ministers. Continue reading... Go to Source

Trump vows to nominate a woman for US supreme court vacancy within a week President says he has ‘obligation’ to fill the vacancy created by the death of Ruth Bader GinsburgTrump has chance to reshape US for generationsDonald Trump has promised to put forward a female nominee in the coming week to fill the supreme court vacancy created by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, pushing the Republican-controlled Senate to consider the pick without delay.Taking the stage at a North Carolina rally to chants of “Fill that seat”, the president said he would nominate his selection despite Democrats’ objections. Continue reading... Go to Source

Dido Harding appointment ‘corrupting our constitution’ – Lord Falconer Tory peer’s twin civil service roles are incompatible with taking the Conservative whip, says former justice secretaryBoris Johnson has been accused by a former Labour lord chancellor of corrupting the constitution by appointing Tory peer Dido Harding to powerful twin civil service roles in the fight against Covid-19.Lord Falconer, who is also a former justice secretary, spoke out as his party’s leader in the House of Lords Baroness Angela Smith wrote to the newcabinet secretary, Simon Case, asking for urgent clarification of what appeared to be a clear breach of the civil service code. Continue reading... Go to Source

Landlords slash rents by up to 20% as tenants quit city centres in pandemic ‘Race to suburbia’ and a lack of foreign students see rental demand plummet in wake of Covid-19Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coveragePrivate rents in some parts of London have tumbled by up to 20% as tenants quit the capital, the number of international students plummets and companies put relocation plans on hold.A glut of rental properties on the market means many landlords have had to slash rents in order to attract tenants. While leading estate agents say average rents in London are down by perhaps 4% on a year ago, or 6% to 7% in the so-called “prime” areas, these figures mask much bigger falls in certain locations as Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc on the lettings market. Continue re...

£10,000 fines warning for failing to self-isolate as Covid infections soar Carrot-and-stick plan for England also includes cash help for lost earnings during isolation periodsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coveragePeople in England who refuse to self-isolate when required to do so will face fines of up to £10,000 under an emergency “carrot and stick” plan to control the second wave of Covid-19 sweeping the country.With infections rising at rates last seen before the full lockdown in March, around four million people on low incomes and in receipt of benefits, who cannot work from home, will also be given special “stay home” payments of £500 to compensate for lost earnings over their two-week isolation periods. Continue reading... Go to Source

Medicane Ianos turns towards Crete after sweeping across Greece Two dead, one missing and nearly a thousand rescued as floods damage Thessaly in wake of rare Mediterranean stormAfter pounding parts of western and central Greece meteorologists have predicted a rare Mediterranean hurricane-like storm, or medicane, is headed south towards the island of Crete.Authorities struggling to contain the impact of the cyclone, Medicane Ianos, said two people had died and at least one was missing as torrential rain and gale-force winds wielded a trail of destruction. Continue reading... Go to Source

Experts call for stronger measures as UK daily coronavirus cases hit four-month high Official figures show 4,422 people tested positive in past 24 hours, the highest daily total since 8 MayCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageDaily coronavirus cases in the UK have reached a four-month high for the second day in a row, the latest government figures show. A total of 4,422 people have tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours – 100 more new cases than on Friday and the highest daily total since 8 May. A further 27 people died within 28 days of testing positive for the virus as of Saturday, bringing the UK toll to 41,759. Continue reading... Go to Source

Hurricane Ianos turns towards Crete after sweeping across Greece Two dead, one missing and nearly a thousand rescued as floods damage ThessalyAfter pounding parts of western and central Greece meteorologists have predicted a rare Mediterranean hurricane is headed south towards the island of Crete.Authorities struggling to contain the impact of the cyclone – a so-called Mediterranean hurricane named Medicane Ianos – said two people had died and at least one was missing as torrential rain and gale-force winds wielded a trail of destruction. Continue reading... Go to Source

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: death of liberal justice gives Trump chance to reshape the US for generations President pledges to fill supreme court vacancy ‘without delay’Democrats cry foul, citing case of Merrick GarlandUS politics – live coverageOpinion: Ginsburg changed US before she joined supreme courtThe death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has sparked a titanic political fight that could shape the future of US supreme court decisions on abortion rights, voting rights and other fundamental issues for a generation. Related: What does Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death mean for the supreme court? Continue reading... Go to Source

Home Office plans to evict thousands of refused asylum seekers People in England whose cases have been refused will be given 21 days to leave UK, letter statesThousands of asylum seekers currently accommodated in hotels are facing removal from the UK, the Home Office has announced.A letter from the Home Office, seen by the Independent, states that evictions of refused asylum seekers will take place “with immediate effect” and charities have reported an increase in people being held in immigration detention centres. Continue reading... Go to Source