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Jul232020 by adminNo Comments

UK coronavirus live: Johnson claims Covid crisis would have been ‘disaster’ for Scotland if it had been independent

UK coronavirus live: Johnson claims Covid crisis would have been 'disaster' for Scotland if it had been independent Prime minister aims to use his visit to Scotland today to strengthen case for the unionBoris Johnson praises ‘sheer might’ of UK as he heads to ScotlandUK failed to plan for economic impact of pandemic, says watchdogUK trade department to tackle ‘fake news’ with new rebuttal role‘A hell of a year’: Tories reflect on 12 months led by Boris JohnsonGlobal coronavirus updates – live 12.55pm BSTSturgeon says she would have been willing to meet with Boris Johnson if he had asked for a meeting. She says she thinks she last spoke to him on the day of the knife attack in Glasgow (on 26 June). 12.52pm BSTQ: The PM says the coronavirus crisis...

Jul232020 by adminNo Comments

‘We look like fools’: UK-US ties threatened by corruption case row

'We look like fools': UK-US ties threatened by corruption case row Exchanges show how American prosecutors stymied British efforts to extradite key suspectBritish anti-corruption investigators accused their US counterparts of deceiving them during a row over a criminal inquiry that threatened cooperation between the countries and prompted the UK to complain that “we look like fools”.The extraordinary dispute is laid bare in a series of confidential exchanges, seen by the Guardian, between senior levels of the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO), which prosecutes large-scale bribery and corruption, and the US Department of Justice. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jul232020 by adminNo Comments

Momentum founder apologises for joining Labour attack on whistleblowers

Momentum founder apologises for joining Labour attack on whistleblowers Jon Lansman’s comments understood to be part of high court antisemitism settlementJon Lansman, the founder of Momentum, has apologised for joining Labour’s attack on the whistleblowers who broke their silence about the party’s handling of antisemitism on Panorama last year.It is understood the apology is part of the agreed high court settlement with the former Labour party staff. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jul232020 by adminNo Comments

‘Virtually entire’ fashion industry complicit in Uighur forced labour, say rights groups

'Virtually entire' fashion industry complicit in Uighur forced labour, say rights groups Human rights coalition says cotton produced in camps in Xinjiang region finds its way into one in five cotton products worldwideMany of the world’s biggest fashion brands and retailers are complicit in the forced labour and human rights violations being perpetrated on millions of Uighur people in the Xinjiang region of northwestern China, says a coalition of more than 180 human rights groups.There is mounting global outrage over the atrocities being committed against the Uighur population in the region, including torture, forced separation and the compulsory sterilisation of Uighur women. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jul232020 by adminNo Comments

China-US row: Fugitive researcher ‘hiding in San Francisco consulate’

China-US row: Fugitive researcher 'hiding in San Francisco consulate' A scientist who allegedly lied about military ties is said to be inside China's San Francisco mission. Go to Source

Jul232020 by adminNo Comments

Coronavirus Live Updates: U.S. Nears 4 Million Cases

Coronavirus Live Updates: U.S. Nears 4 Million Cases Alabama, California, Idaho and Texas recorded daily death records. Other states reported their highest daily case totals. As pandemic protections reach an end, landlords are moving to evict people. Go to Source

Jul232020 by adminNo Comments

Republicans, Deeply Divided on Virus Aid, Near Agreement on an Opening Offer

Republicans, Deeply Divided on Virus Aid, Near Agreement on an Opening Offer Republicans said they had reached an agreement in principle on their opening bid for coronavirus relief, but they remain divided. They have yet to even begin negotiating with Democrats. Go to Source

Jul232020 by adminNo Comments

More Than a Million Workers Are Expected to Have Filed Jobless Claims

More Than a Million Workers Are Expected to Have Filed Jobless Claims Eyes are on this week’s U.S. unemployment report to see whether claims continue to fall. Here’s the latest. Go to Source

Jul232020 by adminNo Comments

In Picking Up Work Here and There, Many Miss Out on Unemployment Check

In Picking Up Work Here and There, Many Miss Out on Unemployment Check For millions of people, making a living is a cobbled-together proposition. That leaves a hole in the safety net when things turn bad. Go to Source

Jul232020 by adminNo Comments

Landlords Jump the Gun as Eviction Moratorium Wanes

Landlords Jump the Gun as Eviction Moratorium Wanes The CARES Act temporarily protects millions of renters from being kicked out of their homes for nonpayment. Filings aren’t supposed to resume until after Friday. Go to Source

Jul232020 by adminNo Comments

Trump to send ‘surge’ of hundred of federal agents to cities

Trump to send 'surge' of hundred of federal agents to cities Talking tough on crime with an election looming, Mr Trump vows to end the "bloodshed". Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

Test and trace failing to contact thousands in England’s worst-hit areas

Test and trace failing to contact thousands in England's worst-hit areas Exclusive: proportion of close contacts being reached is below 80% in high infection areasCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government’s flagship test-and-trace system is failing to contact thousands of people in areas with the highest infection rates in England, raising further questions about the £10bn programme described by Boris Johnson as “world-beating”.Local leaders and directors of public health are demanding more control over the tracing operation amid concerns that their ability to contain the virus is being put at risk. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

New £100m NHS intensive care unit shut over fire safety fears

New £100m NHS intensive care unit shut over fire safety fears Exclusive: King’s College hospital in London forced to shut ICU after it failed checksA newly built £100m intensive care unit at an NHS hospital has been closed after it failed fire safety checks, leading to seriously ill patients being moved out.King’s College hospital in south London has had to shut the critical care unit after its own engineers and the London fire brigade identified problems that could potentially make it unsafe. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

Antisemitism: Labour settlement plunges party into civil war

Antisemitism: Labour settlement plunges party into civil war Jeremy Corbyn’s statement caused astonishment among the litigants in the libel actionLabour’s decision to pay a six-figure libel settlement to ex-staffers who claimed the party was failing to deal with antisemitism plunged the party back into civil war on Wednesday with Jeremy Corbyn publicly condemning his successor’s decision to settle the case.The former Labour leader’s statement caused astonishment among the litigants in the libel action, with Panorama journalist John Ware confirming to the Guardian that he was “consulting his lawyers” and raising the prospect of another costly court battle over Labour and antisemitism. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

Global heating: best and worst case scenarios less likely than thought

Global heating: best and worst case scenarios less likely than thought Uncertainty over climate outcomes reduced but experts warn urgent reduction in CO2 levels is essential Doomsayers and hopemongers alike may need to revise their climate predictions after a study that almost rules out the most optimistic forecasts for global heating while downplaying the likelihood of worst-case scenarios.The international team of scientists involved in the research say they have narrowed the range of probable climate outcomes, which reduces the uncertainty that has long plagued public debate about this field. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

Julian Lewis warns Dominic Cummings not to politicise ISC inquiries

Julian Lewis warns Dominic Cummings not to politicise ISC inquiries Intelligence and security committee chair tells MPs no special advisers should be allowed near itJulian Lewis, the new chair of parliament’s intelligence and security committee (ISC), has demanded that ministers prevent Dominic Cummings and other special advisers from politicising its future inquiries.The independent MP told a Commons debate on the Russia report on Wednesday that he had been warned by a journalist that “some people within government” had tried to sack the committee’s civil service secretariat and “make political appointments” instead. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

UK politics live news: Keir Starmer presses Boris Johnson at PMQs over Russian threat to national security

UK politics live news: Keir Starmer presses Boris Johnson at PMQs over Russian threat to national security PM faces Labour leader in parliament; decision to settle Panorama antisemitism libel case turning point for party, says LabourLabour pays out six-figure sum and apologises in antisemitism row Coronavirus – latest updates 12.34pm BSTLayla Moran (LD) says she is chairing a group to look at the lessons learnt from Covid. Will the government take its recommendations seriously.Johnson says he will be happy to look at them. 12.33pm BSTJohnson says the government will be spending more on coastal towns, including Truro. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

Labour pays out six-figure sum and apologises in antisemitism row

Labour pays out six-figure sum and apologises in antisemitism row Party settles with whistleblowers and BBC reporter John Ware over ‘false allegations’The Labour party has apologised “unreservedly” and paid out a six-figure sum to seven former employees and a veteran BBC journalist, admitting it defamed them in the aftermath of a Panorama investigation into its handling of antisemitism. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

First active leak of sea-bed methane discovered in Antarctica

First active leak of sea-bed methane discovered in Antarctica Researchers say potent climate-heating gas almost certainly escaping into atmosphereThe first active leak of methane from the sea floor in Antarctica has been revealed by scientists.The researchers also found microbes that normally consume the potent greenhouse gas before it reaches the atmosphere had only arrived in small numbers after five years, allowing the gas to escape. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

Home Office urged to correct false slavery information in citizenship test

Home Office urged to correct false slavery information in citizenship test Exclusive: Historians demand ‘fundamentally misleading’ details on British empire and slavery are correctedMore than 175 historians have called on the Home Office to remove the history element of the UK citizenship test because of its “misleading and false” representation of slavery and empire.The signatories say the official handbook, which the Life in the UK test is based on, creates a distorted version of history, which directly counters the values of tolerance and fairness it purports to promote. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

Tim Smith, frontman of cult band the Cardiacs, dies aged 59

Tim Smith, frontman of cult band the Cardiacs, dies aged 59 Smith, who fronted unique prog-punk group, had long-term health difficulties after a heart attack and stroke in 2008Tim Smith, frontman with cult British band the Cardiacs, has died aged 59.The news was confirmed by his bandmate Kavus Torabi. Another band representative said Smith had “passed away peacefully [Tuesday] night around 10.30pm”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

Chinese consulate in Houston ordered to close by US

Chinese consulate in Houston ordered to close by US Unidentified people were filmed burning paper in the consulate's courtyard after the order was made. Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

Coronavirus Live Updates: U.S. Daily Deaths Exceed 1,000

Coronavirus Live Updates: U.S. Daily Deaths Exceed 1,000 The president also reversed himself and implored Americans to wear masks, saying “they have an impact.” Republicans are arguing over what to include in the next round of pandemic relief. Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

Trump, in a Shift, Endorses Masks and Says Virus Will Get Worse

Trump, in a Shift, Endorses Masks and Says Virus Will Get Worse Rather than just “embers” of the disease, as he has repeatedly characterized recent outbreaks afflicting much of the country, President Trump conceded that there were now “big fires.” Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

U.S. Northeast, Pummeled in the Spring, Now Stands Out in Virus Control

U.S. Northeast, Pummeled in the Spring, Now Stands Out in Virus Control In just over two months, the Northeast has gone from the country’s worst coronavirus hot spot to its most controlled. “It’s acting like Europe,” one expert said. Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

China Says U.S. Ordered it to Close Houston Consulate in 72 Hours

China Says U.S. Ordered it to Close Houston Consulate in 72 Hours The Trump administration told Chinese diplomats in Texas to clear out by Friday. Beijing warned it would retaliate. Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

Trump’s Request of an Ambassador: Get the British Open for Me

Trump’s Request of an Ambassador: Get the British Open for Me Woody Johnson, the N.F.L. owner, Trump donor and ambassador to Britain, was warned not to get involved in trying to move the tournament to a Trump resort in Scotland, but he raised the idea anyway — and he failed. Go to Source

Jul222020 by adminNo Comments

Mike Pompeo attacks WHO in private meeting during UK visit

Mike Pompeo attacks WHO in private meeting during UK visit US secretary of state said the World Health Organization was responsible for Britons who had died from Covid-19Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe US secretary of state Mike Pompeo launched an extraordinary attack on the World Health Organization during a private meeting in the UK, accusing it of being in the pocket of China and responsible for “dead Britons” who passed away during the pandemic.Pompeo told those present that he believed the WHO was “political not a science-based organisation” and accused its current director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of being too close to Beijing. Continue reading... Go to Source