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England: Covid cases have doubled under most local lockdowns Exclusive: Leaders and experts blame confusing rules for rise in infections in 11 of 16 locationsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageCoronavirus cases have doubled in the majority of English cities and towns that are subject to long-term local lockdowns, Guardian analysis has found, amid growing concern that restrictions are confusing and done “on the cheap”.In 11 out of 16 English cities and towns where restrictions were imposed nine weeks ago, the infection rate has at least doubled, with cases in five areas of Greater Manchester rising faster than the England average in that time. Continue reading... Go to Source

SNP MP Margaret Ferrier took train after positive Covid test Ferrier urged to resign after travelling from London to Scotland knowing she had coronavirusCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAn MP is facing calls for her resignation after taking a train from London to Scotland knowing she had tested positive for Covid-19.Margaret Ferrier, the Scottish National party MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, apologised unreservedly for two major breaches of Covid regulations since she began suffering symptoms of the virus on Saturday. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK tested Channel ‘blockade’ to deter migrants, leak reveals Exclusive: official document shows tactic based on Australian ‘turn back the boats’ policy has been trialledTrials have taken place to test a blockade in the Channel similar to Australia’s controversial “turn back the boats” tactic, according to official documents seen by the Guardian.The documents, produced in mid-September and marked “official” and “sensitive”, summarise advice from officials who were asked by Downing Street to consider “possible options for negotiating an offshore asylum processing facility similar to the Australian model in Papua New Guinea and Nauru”. Continue reading... Go to Source

'A tremendous legacy': Jenni Murray ends her tenure on BBC's Woman's Hour Warm tributes were paid to the long-serving host of the flagship Radio 4 show With a specially baked cake from Mary Berry and a blue plaque in her honour on her favourite work chair, Dame Jenni Murray acknowledged that it felt “very, very strange” to be hosting her final edition of Woman’s Hour after 33 years. Murray, the BBC Radio 4 show’s longest serving host, took up her post in September 1987 and ended her tenure on Thursday, played out by Helen Reddy’s anthem I Am Woman. Continue reading... Go to Source

HPV vaccine helps prevent invasive cervical cancer, landmark study shows Research is first to show vaccination helps protect against more than just pre-cancerous changesVaccinating populations against the human papillomavirus, which causes most cases of cervical cancer, is effective and saves lives, according to a milestone Swedish study.The results were welcomed as a significant moment in the fight to eradicate cervical cancer, which kills more than 250,000 women a year. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus live: indoor mixing ban extended to Merseyside, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough Government recommends no social mixing between people from different households in these areas, Matt Hancock tells MPsHancock announces restrictions in Merseyside, Warrington and TeessideOne in 100 people have Covid-19 in north-west England, study showsJeremy Corbyn and Stanley Johnson apologise for Covid breachesGlobal coronavirus updates – liveEU launches legal action against UK for breaching withdrawal agreement 12.40pm BST The archbishop of Canterbury and the bishop of Durham have urged the government to extend free school meals to every child whose family is on universal credit, and expand holiday provision to all children on free school meals, saying the number of families who c...

Brexit: EU launches legal action against UK for breaching withdrawal agreement UK put on formal notice over internal market bill, which ministers admit breaks international lawThe EU has launched legal action against the UK after Boris Johnson failed to respond to Brussels’ demand that he drop legislation that would overwrite the withdrawal agreement and break international law.Ursula von der Leyen, the European commission president, announced that the UK had been put on formal notice over the internal market bill tabled by the prime minister last month. Continue reading... Go to Source

Steve McQueen and Bernardine Evaristo named among '100 great black Britons' List celebrates high-achieving black British individuals over past 400 years The model and transgender activist Munroe Bergdorf, the artist and film director Steve McQueen and the Booker prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo are among the new names on a list celebrating key black individuals over the past 400 years.The mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, businesswoman Sharon White and British Vogue’s first black editor, Edward Enninful, are among other new entries on the list of 100 great black Britons, whose stories are told in a book of the same name. Continue reading... Go to Source

Former England boxer turns pro after winning fight with Home Office Kelvin Bilal Fawaz, who was trafficked as a child and has won right to stay in UK, signs with top promoterThe former England amateur boxer Kelvin Bilal Fawaz, who won his 16-year legal battle with the Home Office for the right to remain in the UK, is launching his professional career after being signed by MTK Global, one of the world’s largest boxing management agencies.Fawaz, who has represented England six times and was once an amateur champion, has spent his adult life struggling to establish his nationality and immigration status after being trafficked from Nigeria to the UK as a child and kept in domestic servitude. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK asylum detention: top civil servant says 'all options on the table' Matthew Rycroft tells MPs civil service is considering all ways to improve migration systemThe top civil servant at the Home Office has said “all options are on the table” for the migration system, in response to reports officials were asked to consider proposals to hold refugees in offshore detention centres, including remote islands in the south Atlantic.Matthew Rycroft, the department’s permanent secretary, said the Cabinet Office would lead an inquiry into the leak of documents that revealed officials were asked to consider “possible options for negotiating an offshore asylum processing facility similar to the Australian model in Papua New Guinea and Nauru”. Continue reading... Go to Source