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George Floyd: protests and unrest coast to coast as US cities impose curfews Police forcefully cracking down on protests across USUnrest comes to White HouseAs protests rage, Trump comments inflame tensionsGeorge Floyd protests – live updatesTense protests over the death of George Floyd and other police killings of black men spread across the US on Saturday night as mayors around the country imposed curfews and several governors called in the national guard amid scenes of violence, injuries and unrest.After a Friday night that saw anger at police brutality erupt into rioting and unrest in cities across the country, authorities appeared intent on re-establishing order through increased shows of force. Continue reading... Go to Source

Local lockdowns could be used if coronavirus cases rise, says Raab Foreign secretary’s suggestion comes as he defends easing of rules on gatherings in EnglandCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government could impose geographically targeted measures to combat coronavirus such as locking down specific cities if an easing of restrictions in England brings a rise in new cases, Dominic Raab has said.The foreign secretary defended the decision to allow bigger outdoor gatherings and other new freedoms, which has prompted alarm from some government scientific advisers, but said he accepted it was a “delicate and dangerous moment”. Continue reading... Go to Source

How a decade of privatisation and cuts exposed England to coronavirus Government reliance on private contractors follows dramatic changes to local councils and public servicesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageEvery Thursday at 8pm, millions of Britons have opened their front doors or stood on balconies to applaud the NHS. The ritual has been a weekly expression of gratitude to medical workers, and national pride in a state-run health service said to be the envy of the world.“Let’s not forget,” Boris Johnson said in early March, near the start of the coronavirus crisis, “we already have a fantastic NHS, fantastic testing systems and fantastic surveillance of the spread of disease.” Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: Brazil sees record increase as cases jump by 33,000 Brazil becomes fourth worst country for deaths; Spanish prime minister to seek two-week extension of state of emergency; Pressure builds on South African presidentGlobal report: cases pass 6 million as Donald Trump postpones G7Senior UK adviser has broken trust in policy, say top scientistsUK coronavirus updates - liveCoronavirus latest: at a glance 12.13pm BSTPope Francis is cautioning against pessimism as many people emerge from lockdowns to lament that nothing will ever be the same, AP reports. During Mass in St. Peters Basilica to mark Pentecost Sunday, Francis noted a tendency to say nothing will return as before. That kind of thinking, Francis said, guarantees that the one thing that certainly does not retu...

MPs furious about forced return of ‘physical voting’ to Commons Elderly members or those with health conditions fear they will be disenfranchised by the move, which ends remote participationCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSenior MPs have warned that many elderly members of parliament and those with health conditions will be “disenfranchised” and put at risk of contracting Covid-19 if they are forced back to the House of Commons for debates and votes this week.A furious argument has broken out between backbench MPs of all parties and the government over plans which, if passed, will end all remote voting from this week and mean members have to attend in person. Parliament is resuming on Tuesday with the row still unresolved. Continue reading.....

George Floyd: protesters and police clash in cities across US – live Protests rock US cities as anger over killing spreadsUnrest comes to the White HouseTrump threatens protesters with ‘vicious dogs’Get a fresh perspective on America – sign up to our First Thing newsletter 6.20am BSTThe Guardian’s Ankita Rao, reporting from New York, on the mayor’s controversial late-night statements:Mayor Bill de Blasio took to the podium on Saturday night to tell protestors across the city that they were “heard, loud and clear”.I’m in Brooklyn to talk about tonight’s protests. https://t.co/oBVXGh7JWo 6.12am BSTUS prosecutors have filed federal charges against three people in New York, accusing them of using “molotov cocktails” on New Yo...

Dominic Cummings has broken Covid-19 policy trust, say top scientists Health experts warn lives ‘put at risk’, as Opinium/Observer poll shows slump in Tory supportCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBritain’s top public health leaders and scientists have warned Boris Johnson that trust in the government has been shattered by the Dominic Cummings affair and now poses real danger to life when lockdown measures are lifted this week.In a letter sent to No 10 on Friday, 26 senior UK academics and health administrators warn that public faith in the government is essential if the Covid-19 crisis is to be tackled effectively. Continue reading... Go to Source

Lockdown to be eased for England's most clinically vulnerable New Covid-19 guidelines to allow 2.2 million who are shielding to go outside from MondayCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe more than 2 million people who have been “shielding” from Covid-19 in England because they are deemed to be clinically extremely vulnerable will be allowed to spend time outdoors from Monday for the first time in 10 weeks.Boris Johnson praised their resilience as their particular lockdown measures are set to be eased. The communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, will confirm the move on Sunday. Continue reading... Go to Source

George Floyd protests: Minnesota governor orders full mobilisation of national guard – live Protests rock cities across US as anger over killing spreadsAtlanta police chief: ‘black lives being diminished’ Officer in George Floyd killing charged with murderGet a fresh perspective on America – sign up to our First Thing newsletter 6.47pm BSTSomething worth noting in light of Trump’s earlier comments about deploying the military to Minnesota to quell protests: if he sends troops, it would have to be at the invitation of the state’s governor.The Associated Press has more on the story: 6.41pm BSTThe rapper Killer Mike has addressed protesters in Atlanta after a troubled night that saw the city’s college football hall of fame damaged and looted. Killer Mik...

Dominic Cummings row: senior health official says lockdown rules 'apply to all' England’s deputy chief medical officer says country is at ‘very dangerous moment’ as restrictions easeCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageEngland’s deputy chief medical officer has said that the lockdown rules “are clear and they have always been clear”, in the strongest condemnation yet by a senior health official of Dominic Cummings’ lockdown breach.It comes as the government’s own science advisers broke cover over its decision to ease lockdown measures, with a growing number expressing concerns about plans for England from Monday. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: deaths surge in Brazil and Russia as Trump says US is quitting WHO Afghanistan similarly reports worst day yet; Angela Merkel said she will not attend G7 if Trump insists on holding it. All the developments liveIndia to partially lift lockdown despite record infectionsTrump announces severing of ties with WHOCoronavirus latest: at a glance 6.59pm BSTCoronavirus infections in France are continuing to decline, health officials said on Saturday, with 14,380 patients currently in hospital, down from 14,695 a day earlier. The number of serious coronavirus cases in intensive care in the country has fallen to 1,325 from 1,361. 6.45pm BSTNew York’s governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill on Saturday that will grant death benefits to the families of police officers, publ...

'I’m stuck in limbo': will the Covid generation of young people face long-term fallout? After a first taste of freedom, many teenagers and students are finding themselves back with their parents, and strugglingOn 20 April, Lucy left her house in a small market town in Buckinghamshire and walked through winding country lanes to a quiet field. There, her friend Owen was waiting with a joint already rolled. The weather was balmy; barely a cloud in sight. The pair smoked and caught up on school gossip, before Lucy judged that she should probably head home – any longer, and her parents might become suspicious.When she got back, she chatted to her family, before heading upstairs to her bedroom, her mother none the wiser. Lucy, who is 17, wasn’t going to let the coronavirus pandemi...

Calls to lift lockdown in UK care homes over fears for residents' mental health Relatives and social care chiefs warn that Covid-19 social isolation is contributing to deaths of residentsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSenior social care leaders are calling on ministers to prioritise unlocking care homes amid growing concerns that mental health problems are contributing to the deaths of residents.Most care homes have been closed to visitors since the lockdown began, to prevent the spread of Covid-19, but many fear the lack of contact with loved ones has had serious consequences on residents’ mental and physical wellbeing. Continue reading... Go to Source