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Coronavirus live news: global death toll passes 700,000 as Europe faces second wave Coronavirus live news: global death toll passes 700,000 as top US official to visit Taiwan
(32 minutes later)
US health secretary Alex Azar to visit Taiwan in veiled attack on China; Trump flounders in interview; France could lose control ‘any time’. Follow all the developments US health secretary Alex Azar to visit Taiwan in veiled attack on China; Trump flounders in interview; France could lose control ‘any time’
Keir Starmer has told Boris Johnson that he has a month to fix Britain’s failing test-and-trace system or risk sending the country into a second lockdown as schools go back in September.
In an exclusive story, the Labour leader says the prime minister must be prepared to take “hard decisions” to contain the virus.
We now have a full story on the planned visit by US health secretary Alex Azar to Taiwan in the “coming days”.
In a move likely to anger the government in Beijing, which regards the island as part of China, Azar will become the most senior American official to visit Taiwan since Washington shut off diplomatic ties in 1979.
In a statement announcing the visit, Azar heaped praise on Taiwan’s “transparent” handling of the coronavirus pandemic in contrast to some “authoritarian regimes”.
Here’s Helen Davidson’s full story:
The coronavirus crisis has not curbed the earnings appetite of the bosses of Britain’s biggest companies. Despite most of the FTSE100 companies taking advantage of the government’s furlough wage scheme to pay workers, only 36 of them saw fit to reduce the pay of their chief executives, according to research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the High Pay Centre.The coronavirus crisis has not curbed the earnings appetite of the bosses of Britain’s biggest companies. Despite most of the FTSE100 companies taking advantage of the government’s furlough wage scheme to pay workers, only 36 of them saw fit to reduce the pay of their chief executives, according to research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the High Pay Centre.
Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said: “It doesn’t look like the pandemic has proven to be an inflection point for executive pay yet. The bulk of cuts made so far appear to be short-term and don’t signify meaningful, long-term change.”Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said: “It doesn’t look like the pandemic has proven to be an inflection point for executive pay yet. The bulk of cuts made so far appear to be short-term and don’t signify meaningful, long-term change.”
Schools in England should be the last to close and the first to reopen in the event of a second lockdown, the children’s commissioner has said, adding that young people had sometimes been an “after thought” during the crisis.Schools in England should be the last to close and the first to reopen in the event of a second lockdown, the children’s commissioner has said, adding that young people had sometimes been an “after thought” during the crisis.
Anne Longfield said pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops should be shut ahead of schools in the case of emergency restrictions.Anne Longfield said pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops should be shut ahead of schools in the case of emergency restrictions.
It is only 17 days since the global death tally passed 600,000, so we’re seeing a rapid increase in the number of fatalities.It is only 17 days since the global death tally passed 600,000, so we’re seeing a rapid increase in the number of fatalities.
According to a calculation by Reuters, nearly 5,900 people are dying every 24 hours from Covid-19 on average, according to Reuters calculations based on data from the past two weeks. That equates to 247 people per hour, or one person every 15 seconds.According to a calculation by Reuters, nearly 5,900 people are dying every 24 hours from Covid-19 on average, according to Reuters calculations based on data from the past two weeks. That equates to 247 people per hour, or one person every 15 seconds.
The number of people who have died from Covid-19 has passed 700,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.The number of people who have died from Covid-19 has passed 700,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
More than 150,000 have been in the US, with Brazil accounting for more than 90,000 and Mexico third highest with 45,000.More than 150,000 have been in the US, with Brazil accounting for more than 90,000 and Mexico third highest with 45,000.
Germany has reported 741 new cases of the virus, according to the Robert Koch Institute, down from 879 the previous day.Germany has reported 741 new cases of the virus, according to the Robert Koch Institute, down from 879 the previous day.
The total number of cases in Germany is now 212,022 with 9168 deaths. It is estimated 194,600 people have survived the disease.The total number of cases in Germany is now 212,022 with 9168 deaths. It is estimated 194,600 people have survived the disease.
However, the country is in danger of squandering its relatively successful handling of the disease earlier this year because people have been flouting social-distancing rules, according to Susanne Johna, the president of Marburger Bund, which represents the country’s doctors.However, the country is in danger of squandering its relatively successful handling of the disease earlier this year because people have been flouting social-distancing rules, according to Susanne Johna, the president of Marburger Bund, which represents the country’s doctors.
“We are already in a second, shallow upswing,” she told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper on Tuesday, urging people to continue to respect distancing and hygiene rules and wear masks despite an understandable desire to return to full normality.“We are already in a second, shallow upswing,” she told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper on Tuesday, urging people to continue to respect distancing and hygiene rules and wear masks despite an understandable desire to return to full normality.
Gold has soared to a record high price of $2,030.72 per ounce as financial markets move money into ultra-safe assets that they think are less likely to lose value if the world slumps into a prolonged recession thanks to Covid-19.Gold has soared to a record high price of $2,030.72 per ounce as financial markets move money into ultra-safe assets that they think are less likely to lose value if the world slumps into a prolonged recession thanks to Covid-19.
It’s likely that US legislatords will agree more stimulus spending to help the country’s economy, which will in turn put more downward pressure on bond yields and the US dollar, shifting more cash into other assets.It’s likely that US legislatords will agree more stimulus spending to help the country’s economy, which will in turn put more downward pressure on bond yields and the US dollar, shifting more cash into other assets.
“Failure to agree to another round of stimulus would hit the U.S. economy hard at a time when high-frequency data suggests it is losing some momentum,” said Tapas Strickland, analyst at Melbourne-based National Australia Bank told Reuters.“Failure to agree to another round of stimulus would hit the U.S. economy hard at a time when high-frequency data suggests it is losing some momentum,” said Tapas Strickland, analyst at Melbourne-based National Australia Bank told Reuters.
Here’s another quirky virus-related story about the obscure Hutt River micronation in Australia that has decided to rejoin the country because of the ravages of coronavirus.Here’s another quirky virus-related story about the obscure Hutt River micronation in Australia that has decided to rejoin the country because of the ravages of coronavirus.
The “nation” several hundred kilometres north of Perth in Western Australia was declared sovereign in 1970 in a dispute over wheat and even declared war on its rather bigger neighbour in 1977.The “nation” several hundred kilometres north of Perth in Western Australia was declared sovereign in 1970 in a dispute over wheat and even declared war on its rather bigger neighbour in 1977.
But the virus has forced Hutt River to close its borders to tourists and it is being starved of income, despite Weatern Australia being free of Covid-19.But the virus has forced Hutt River to close its borders to tourists and it is being starved of income, despite Weatern Australia being free of Covid-19.
Read more on this weird and wonderful tale here:Read more on this weird and wonderful tale here:
Sri Lankans have started voting in an election twice delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The country has not had a parliament since March when president Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked the body in March but he is still expected to cement his family’s controversial grip on power.Sri Lankans have started voting in an election twice delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The country has not had a parliament since March when president Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked the body in March but he is still expected to cement his family’s controversial grip on power.
Voters have been asked to observe social distancing and bring their own pens to the polls – with special booths set up for those who are quarantining. Sri Lanka appears to have contained the virus, recording 2,823 cases including 11 deaths.Voters have been asked to observe social distancing and bring their own pens to the polls – with special booths set up for those who are quarantining. Sri Lanka appears to have contained the virus, recording 2,823 cases including 11 deaths.
Our full report is here:Our full report is here:
I mentioned earlier that we’ve been speaking to people around the world about they are coping with the virus six months after it was declared an urgent threat to the world. Our world correspondent Michael Safi explains what he found in today’s Todaay in Focus podcastI mentioned earlier that we’ve been speaking to people around the world about they are coping with the virus six months after it was declared an urgent threat to the world. Our world correspondent Michael Safi explains what he found in today’s Todaay in Focus podcast
Donald Trump has come under fire for his claims about the death rate in the US despite them being over 1,000 a day.Donald Trump has come under fire for his claims about the death rate in the US despite them being over 1,000 a day.
However, as interviewer Jonathan Swan realised during the discussion, what Trump meant was that the ratio of deaths to new cases has fallen from a high of more than 7% earlier in April to more like 1.5%, as illustrated by this charted tweeted out by Australian economist Shane Oliver.However, as interviewer Jonathan Swan realised during the discussion, what Trump meant was that the ratio of deaths to new cases has fallen from a high of more than 7% earlier in April to more like 1.5%, as illustrated by this charted tweeted out by Australian economist Shane Oliver.
We have two contrasting pieces about how the pandemic is affecting Australia.We have two contrasting pieces about how the pandemic is affecting Australia.
First, some readers share their struggles about trying to find a job as unemployment rises to nearly 1 million in the country. One of them says: “I go to sleep every night with an aching lump in my stomach longing to just catch a break.First, some readers share their struggles about trying to find a job as unemployment rises to nearly 1 million in the country. One of them says: “I go to sleep every night with an aching lump in my stomach longing to just catch a break.
On a lighter note, Hannah Ryan reports on the boom in sales of cask wine. The often-derided product, nicknamed cardboardeaux, has gone out of fashion in recent years but convenience and pricing has helped lift sales since the crisis began.On a lighter note, Hannah Ryan reports on the boom in sales of cask wine. The often-derided product, nicknamed cardboardeaux, has gone out of fashion in recent years but convenience and pricing has helped lift sales since the crisis began.
The Australian state of Victoria has confirmed that it recorded 725 new cases of coronavirus and 15 deaths in the past 24 hours.The Australian state of Victoria has confirmed that it recorded 725 new cases of coronavirus and 15 deaths in the past 24 hours.
Twelve of the 15 fatalities were linked to aged care although one of the deaths was a man in his 30s, premier Daniel Andrews has just announced.Twelve of the 15 fatalities were linked to aged care although one of the deaths was a man in his 30s, premier Daniel Andrews has just announced.
It’s not linked to the virus but I must cross-refer here to our coverage of the devastating explosion in Beirut. Your usual Covid blogger, Helen Sullivan, is collating all the latest updates on the blast that has so far left 78 people dead and thousands injured.It’s not linked to the virus but I must cross-refer here to our coverage of the devastating explosion in Beirut. Your usual Covid blogger, Helen Sullivan, is collating all the latest updates on the blast that has so far left 78 people dead and thousands injured.
We also have a full report from our correspeondent in Beirut, Martin Chulov, a picture gallery and an explainer about how it happened.We also have a full report from our correspeondent in Beirut, Martin Chulov, a picture gallery and an explainer about how it happened.
US health secretary Alex Azar has confirmed that WSJ report that he is going to Taiwan.US health secretary Alex Azar has confirmed that WSJ report that he is going to Taiwan.
He said that Taiwan, which Beijing considers to be part of China, had been a “model of transparency and cooperation” over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. No prizes for guessing who the trump administration thinks has not been such a paragon.He said that Taiwan, which Beijing considers to be part of China, had been a “model of transparency and cooperation” over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. No prizes for guessing who the trump administration thinks has not been such a paragon.
The statement adds that he will use the visit to congratulate Taiwan on behalf of president Donald Trump for its “global health ledership”.The statement adds that he will use the visit to congratulate Taiwan on behalf of president Donald Trump for its “global health ledership”.
Here’s another choice quote:Here’s another choice quote:
Washington is reported to be sending its most senior representative to Taiwan for more than 40 years in what appears to be a calculated affront to Beijing as US-China relations continue to head downhill in the wake of the argument over the pandemic.Washington is reported to be sending its most senior representative to Taiwan for more than 40 years in what appears to be a calculated affront to Beijing as US-China relations continue to head downhill in the wake of the argument over the pandemic.
US health secretary Alex Azar will travel to Taiwan in coming days, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.US health secretary Alex Azar will travel to Taiwan in coming days, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
Taiwan’s official Central News Agency said it would be the highest level visit made by a US cabinet official since Washington broke formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979.Taiwan’s official Central News Agency said it would be the highest level visit made by a US cabinet official since Washington broke formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979.
We’ll have more on this story as it breaks.We’ll have more on this story as it breaks.
Here’s our newly minted full report on the decision by Queensland to close its border with New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.Here’s our newly minted full report on the decision by Queensland to close its border with New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
We’ve also just learned that NSW recorded 12 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. All but one of them has been traced to a known outbreak.We’ve also just learned that NSW recorded 12 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. All but one of them has been traced to a known outbreak.
We’re expecting the Victorian government to announce that it has another 725 new cases but that is not a confirmed number, just what’s been leaked to reporters this morning.We’re expecting the Victorian government to announce that it has another 725 new cases but that is not a confirmed number, just what’s been leaked to reporters this morning.
Stock markets in Asia Pacific are racking up some fairly hefty losses so far today because of concerns about the direction of the world economy.Stock markets in Asia Pacific are racking up some fairly hefty losses so far today because of concerns about the direction of the world economy.
You’d think those concerns might have sent the markets much lower in the past few months but massive government and central bank stimulus has so far acted as a backstop.You’d think those concerns might have sent the markets much lower in the past few months but massive government and central bank stimulus has so far acted as a backstop.
Some reality could be starting to bite. The ASX200 is off 0.86% in Sydney and the Nikkei in Japan is down by around the same. Gold, which acts as a barometer of anxiety about less tangible assets, has soared above $2,000 per ounce. US 10-year bonds climbed to record highs.Some reality could be starting to bite. The ASX200 is off 0.86% in Sydney and the Nikkei in Japan is down by around the same. Gold, which acts as a barometer of anxiety about less tangible assets, has soared above $2,000 per ounce. US 10-year bonds climbed to record highs.
Michael McCarthy of CMC Markets in Sydney said:Michael McCarthy of CMC Markets in Sydney said: