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Coronavirus live news: Trump calls 200,000 US deaths 'a shame'; UK restrictions could last six months Coronavirus live news: Trump calls 200,000 US deaths 'a shame'; UK restrictions could last six months
(32 minutes later)
World reports just under two million Covid-19 cases in one week; UK government asks people to work from home; Madrid residents advised not to travel. Follow the latest updatesWorld reports just under two million Covid-19 cases in one week; UK government asks people to work from home; Madrid residents advised not to travel. Follow the latest updates
With the coronavirus devastating jobs across the country, desperate Indonesians are flocking to illegal gold mines as the soaring price of the precious metal overrides the risk to their lives and the environment.
Spooked by the economic destruction wrought by the pandemic, consumers and investors around the world have been snapping up gold, which is seen as a hedge against volatility, sending its price to a record above $2,000 an ounce last month.
The surge in demand has fuelled a boom in mineral-rich Indonesia’s illegal mining industry, with workers ignoring the threat of arrest, mercury poisoning or being caught in the middle of gun battles, AFP reports.
Indonesia banned the use of mercury for artisanal miners in 2017. But the dangerous metal, which can affect the nervous system and cause disabilities in newborn children, can still be purchased on the black market.
The livelihoods of at least one million Indonesians are supported by small-scale mining, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which promotes mercury-free technologies.
Despite pandemic restrictions, there are reports of unlicensed operators bringing scores of domestic migrants to makeshift mines sites across the country, which have long been prone to fatal accidents.
The Bolshoi’s doors have stayed open even in times of revolution and war. So after coronavirus forced the longest hiatus in the Moscow theatre’s schedule for more than two centuries, it was eager to bounce back.The Bolshoi’s doors have stayed open even in times of revolution and war. So after coronavirus forced the longest hiatus in the Moscow theatre’s schedule for more than two centuries, it was eager to bounce back.
Plans were announced over summer for something approaching a full season of opera and ballet across its three stages, and on 6 September, the theatre started the season with an all-star cast performing Verdi’s Don Carlo, even as Moscow continued to record hundreds of new Covid cases every day.Plans were announced over summer for something approaching a full season of opera and ballet across its three stages, and on 6 September, the theatre started the season with an all-star cast performing Verdi’s Don Carlo, even as Moscow continued to record hundreds of new Covid cases every day.
But it did not take long for the realities of the pandemic to intervene: the third and final performance of Don Carlo had to be cancelled at the last minute after singer Ildar Abdrazakov tested positive for Covid. Later, the soprano Anna Netrebko posted on Instagram that she had also tested positive:But it did not take long for the realities of the pandemic to intervene: the third and final performance of Don Carlo had to be cancelled at the last minute after singer Ildar Abdrazakov tested positive for Covid. Later, the soprano Anna Netrebko posted on Instagram that she had also tested positive:
Mainland China reported 10 new Covid-19 cases as of 22 September, up from 6 a day earlier, the country’s national health authority said on Wednesday.The National Health Commission said in a statement that all new cases were imported infections involving travellers from overseas. The number of new asymptomatic infections also rose to 18 from 15 a day earlier, though China does not classify these symptomless patients as confirmed cases.The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases for mainland China now stands at 85,307, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,634.Mainland China reported 10 new Covid-19 cases as of 22 September, up from 6 a day earlier, the country’s national health authority said on Wednesday.The National Health Commission said in a statement that all new cases were imported infections involving travellers from overseas. The number of new asymptomatic infections also rose to 18 from 15 a day earlier, though China does not classify these symptomless patients as confirmed cases.The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases for mainland China now stands at 85,307, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,634.
The leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo appealed Tuesday before the UN General Assembly for debt relief for developing countries to help them cope with the pandemic, AFP reports.The leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo appealed Tuesday before the UN General Assembly for debt relief for developing countries to help them cope with the pandemic, AFP reports.
“In order to help developing countries exit the crisis and fare better after Covid-19, the international community’s efforts must include debt cancellation and other relief so they can better recover,” President Felix Tshisekedi said.“In order to help developing countries exit the crisis and fare better after Covid-19, the international community’s efforts must include debt cancellation and other relief so they can better recover,” President Felix Tshisekedi said.
The Group of 20 major economies and the International Monetary Fund have already agreed on measures including relieving debt or suspending payments as poor nations prioritize the response to the pandemic.The Group of 20 major economies and the International Monetary Fund have already agreed on measures including relieving debt or suspending payments as poor nations prioritize the response to the pandemic.
But Tshisekedi, in a video address to the annual summit, called on the international community to “take other decisions with a view to complete cancellation.”But Tshisekedi, in a video address to the annual summit, called on the international community to “take other decisions with a view to complete cancellation.”
“All measures of support or additional funding for development countries should be without any conditions,” he said.“All measures of support or additional funding for development countries should be without any conditions,” he said.
He also called for a boosting of technical assistance “to halt and stop a disease that is our common enemy.”He also called for a boosting of technical assistance “to halt and stop a disease that is our common enemy.”
Covid-19 has killed more than 966,000 people since it first emerged in China in late 2019, according to a global tally by AFP.Covid-19 has killed more than 966,000 people since it first emerged in China in late 2019, according to a global tally by AFP.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the world’s poorest nations but international observers have found guarded hope since the December 2018 election of Tshisekedi.The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the world’s poorest nations but international observers have found guarded hope since the December 2018 election of Tshisekedi.
His succession from Joseph Kabila marked the first peaceful transition of power since the former Zaire’s independence from Belgium six decades earlier.His succession from Joseph Kabila marked the first peaceful transition of power since the former Zaire’s independence from Belgium six decades earlier.
The US president says: ‘Well, I think it’s a shame’ when asked by a White House reporter about the 200,000 coronavirus deaths in the US – a fifth of the global total and the highest of any country worldwide. He claims the US could have had 2.5 million deaths ‘if we didn’t do it properly’. Trump also repeats his accusation that China is at fault for the pandemic:The US president says: ‘Well, I think it’s a shame’ when asked by a White House reporter about the 200,000 coronavirus deaths in the US – a fifth of the global total and the highest of any country worldwide. He claims the US could have had 2.5 million deaths ‘if we didn’t do it properly’. Trump also repeats his accusation that China is at fault for the pandemic:
Mike Hytner and Ben Butler report:Mike Hytner and Ben Butler report:
Embattled Rugby Australia has been delivered another blow after major sponsor Qantas ended its 30-year partnership with the code.Embattled Rugby Australia has been delivered another blow after major sponsor Qantas ended its 30-year partnership with the code.
The Australian airline has also pulled back in its deals with cricket and football in a bid to save up to $20m a year.The Australian airline has also pulled back in its deals with cricket and football in a bid to save up to $20m a year.
Qantas said the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was the reason behind the rugby decision, rather than last year’s Israel Folau controversy.Qantas said the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was the reason behind the rugby decision, rather than last year’s Israel Folau controversy.
Folau’s homophobic social media posts raised questions over the continued involvement of Qantas, whose chief executive Alan Joyce said at the time that sponsorship deals were “supposed to be a positive”.Folau’s homophobic social media posts raised questions over the continued involvement of Qantas, whose chief executive Alan Joyce said at the time that sponsorship deals were “supposed to be a positive”.
Israel Folau’s anti-gay comments ‘very disappointing’, Qantas saysRead moreIsrael Folau’s anti-gay comments ‘very disappointing’, Qantas saysRead more
But on Wednesday Qantas chief customer officer Stephanie Tully said the virus had been “the undoing” of the partnership, which will expire at the end of this year:But on Wednesday Qantas chief customer officer Stephanie Tully said the virus had been “the undoing” of the partnership, which will expire at the end of this year:
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 1,769 to 275,927, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed on Wednesday.The reported death toll rose by 13 to 9,409, the tally showed.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 1,769 to 275,927, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed on Wednesday.The reported death toll rose by 13 to 9,409, the tally showed.
In recent weeks, cases have consistently been over 1,500 after falling to below 500 between June and July.In recent weeks, cases have consistently been over 1,500 after falling to below 500 between June and July.
Japan is considering allowing more foreigners into the country for longer stays starting as early as next month, while keeping the Covid-19 entry curbs in place for tourists, the Asahi newspaper reported on Wednesday. In an effort to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, Japan has adopted some of the strictest travel restrictions in the world, with even permanent residents unable to re-enter the country without prior permission.The government eased some of those restrictions on students and business people from seven countries in late July.Under the latest proposed easing, Japan would allow those staying for longer than three months, such as students and medical workers, to enter from any country, the Asahi said, citing multiple government sources.Entry would be limited to 1,000 people a day, it said.Japan has so far managed to keep its coronavirus infections and deaths at low levels compared with hard-hit countries, at a cumulative 79,900 infections and 1,519 deaths.Japan is considering allowing more foreigners into the country for longer stays starting as early as next month, while keeping the Covid-19 entry curbs in place for tourists, the Asahi newspaper reported on Wednesday. In an effort to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, Japan has adopted some of the strictest travel restrictions in the world, with even permanent residents unable to re-enter the country without prior permission.The government eased some of those restrictions on students and business people from seven countries in late July.Under the latest proposed easing, Japan would allow those staying for longer than three months, such as students and medical workers, to enter from any country, the Asahi said, citing multiple government sources.Entry would be limited to 1,000 people a day, it said.Japan has so far managed to keep its coronavirus infections and deaths at low levels compared with hard-hit countries, at a cumulative 79,900 infections and 1,519 deaths.
Papua New Guinea does not have enough Covid-19 testing kits, the country’s health minister has said. Fewer than 17,500 tests have been conducted across the country since the beginning of the pandemic.Papua New Guinea does not have enough Covid-19 testing kits, the country’s health minister has said. Fewer than 17,500 tests have been conducted across the country since the beginning of the pandemic.
And while PNG’s outbreak remains small by global standards - 517 confirmed cases and seven deaths - it rose rapidly through August and early September, and the actual number of infections is likely to be many times larger than the official figure.And while PNG’s outbreak remains small by global standards - 517 confirmed cases and seven deaths - it rose rapidly through August and early September, and the actual number of infections is likely to be many times larger than the official figure.
Controller of PNG’s National Pandemic Response, police chief David Manning, said some of PNG’s provinces were not properly conducting tests or sending swabs to central health authorities.Controller of PNG’s National Pandemic Response, police chief David Manning, said some of PNG’s provinces were not properly conducting tests or sending swabs to central health authorities.
But health minister Jelta Wong said regional authorities were testing as much as they could, but testing kits were limited.But health minister Jelta Wong said regional authorities were testing as much as they could, but testing kits were limited.
“The testing kits is what we are lacking in at the moment,” Radio NZ reported Wong as saying.“The testing kits is what we are lacking in at the moment,” Radio NZ reported Wong as saying.
“As you know, the world is fighting for these testing kits at the moment, so we’re in a line. We should get them by the end of this month.”“As you know, the world is fighting for these testing kits at the moment, so we’re in a line. We should get them by the end of this month.”
Manning said a surge in infections in PNG’s crowded capital Port Moresby was particularly concerning. About 40% of the capital’s population live in informal settlements, with little running water, and little ability to socially distance.Manning said a surge in infections in PNG’s crowded capital Port Moresby was particularly concerning. About 40% of the capital’s population live in informal settlements, with little running water, and little ability to socially distance.
“We are all vulnerable to Covid-19. It can affect people of all ages, including the young members of our community. The virus does not discriminate and can strike any member of our community so let us all remain vigilant.”“We are all vulnerable to Covid-19. It can affect people of all ages, including the young members of our community. The virus does not discriminate and can strike any member of our community so let us all remain vigilant.”
China’s UN representative Zhang Jun said the country rejected ‘baseless accusations’ around coronavirus before introducing President Xi Jinping.China’s UN representative Zhang Jun said the country rejected ‘baseless accusations’ around coronavirus before introducing President Xi Jinping.
In a video address, Donald Trump said the UN had to take action against China and called for Beijing to be held accountable by the UN for ‘releasing the virus’:In a video address, Donald Trump said the UN had to take action against China and called for Beijing to be held accountable by the UN for ‘releasing the virus’:
Mexico’s confirmed coronavirus caseload rose to 705,263 on Tuesday, according to updated data from the health ministry, along with a reported death toll of 74,348.Authorities reported 4,683 new cases along with 651 deaths on Tuesday, but the true figures are likely significantly higher due to little testing.Mexico’s confirmed coronavirus caseload rose to 705,263 on Tuesday, according to updated data from the health ministry, along with a reported death toll of 74,348.Authorities reported 4,683 new cases along with 651 deaths on Tuesday, but the true figures are likely significantly higher due to little testing.
A 16-year-old Australian student, Mayela Dayet, will address the United Nations general assembly on Wednesday night to present the findings of a survey that shows young women and girls are shouldering a greater economic, domestic and emotional load and working harder during the Covid-19 pandemic.A 16-year-old Australian student, Mayela Dayet, will address the United Nations general assembly on Wednesday night to present the findings of a survey that shows young women and girls are shouldering a greater economic, domestic and emotional load and working harder during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The study, released by humanitarian organisation Plan International as part of a report called “Halting Lives – The impact of COVID 19 on girls and young women”, surveyed more than 7,000 15-to-24 year-olds across 14 countries:The study, released by humanitarian organisation Plan International as part of a report called “Halting Lives – The impact of COVID 19 on girls and young women”, surveyed more than 7,000 15-to-24 year-olds across 14 countries:
In Scotland, hundreds of students have been told to isolate after a suspected Covid-19 outbreak in a halls of residence.In Scotland, hundreds of students have been told to isolate after a suspected Covid-19 outbreak in a halls of residence.
NHS Tayside is investigating a single positive Covid case and a small number of suspected cases linked to private student accommodation Parker House in Dundee.NHS Tayside is investigating a single positive Covid case and a small number of suspected cases linked to private student accommodation Parker House in Dundee.
Close contacts of the positive case, who is a student of Abertay University, are being contacted. All 500 residents at the accommodation have been asked to self-isolate until further contact tracing has been completed:Close contacts of the positive case, who is a student of Abertay University, are being contacted. All 500 residents at the accommodation have been asked to self-isolate until further contact tracing has been completed:
Here is a transcript of that exchange between Trump and reporters:Here is a transcript of that exchange between Trump and reporters:
US President Donald Trump has responded to a question asked by a reporter at the White House about the US death toll – a fifth of the global total and the highest of any country worldwide – passing 200,000 by saying, “Well, I think it’s a shame”.US President Donald Trump has responded to a question asked by a reporter at the White House about the US death toll – a fifth of the global total and the highest of any country worldwide – passing 200,000 by saying, “Well, I think it’s a shame”.
Trump went on to say:Trump went on to say:
Earlier, he dismissed a question about the devastating toll:Earlier, he dismissed a question about the devastating toll:
Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
My name is Helen Sullivan and I’ll be bringing you the latest for the next few hours. Get in touch on Twitter @helenrsullivan.My name is Helen Sullivan and I’ll be bringing you the latest for the next few hours. Get in touch on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
The weekly number of new recorded coronavirus infections worldwide was last week at its highest level ever, the WHO announced. With a new seven-day high of just short of two million new cases recorded by the WHO, the latest tally represents a 6% increase over the previous week as well as “the highest number of reported cases in a single week since the beginning of the epidemic,” the UN health agency said.The weekly number of new recorded coronavirus infections worldwide was last week at its highest level ever, the WHO announced. With a new seven-day high of just short of two million new cases recorded by the WHO, the latest tally represents a 6% increase over the previous week as well as “the highest number of reported cases in a single week since the beginning of the epidemic,” the UN health agency said.
Meanwhile in the UK, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, introduced new restrictions for England likely to last six months following a surge in positive cases in recent weeks. The raft of new measures include telling the public to continue working from home, a 10pm curfew for hospitality venues, and limiting weddings to 15 people.Meanwhile in the UK, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, introduced new restrictions for England likely to last six months following a surge in positive cases in recent weeks. The raft of new measures include telling the public to continue working from home, a 10pm curfew for hospitality venues, and limiting weddings to 15 people.
Jordan reported its highest daily count since the start of the pandemic in March. As another 634 positive cases took the tally to 5,679, the health ministry warned the coronavirus was spreading fast across the country and urged people to social distance and wear masks to protect others.Jordan reported its highest daily count since the start of the pandemic in March. As another 634 positive cases took the tally to 5,679, the health ministry warned the coronavirus was spreading fast across the country and urged people to social distance and wear masks to protect others.
Hundreds of students in Dundee, Scotland have been told to isolate after a suspected Covid-19 outbreak in halls of residence. NHS Tayside is investigating a single positive case and a small number of suspected cases of coronavirus linked to private student accommodation, Parker House in Dundee.Hundreds of students in Dundee, Scotland have been told to isolate after a suspected Covid-19 outbreak in halls of residence. NHS Tayside is investigating a single positive case and a small number of suspected cases of coronavirus linked to private student accommodation, Parker House in Dundee.
The US coronavirus death toll passed the grim milestone of 200,000, the highest in the world. According to a tally from Johns Hopkins University, at least 200,005 Americans have died of Covid-19 since the pandemic started in March, that is about one-fifth of the global death toll.The US coronavirus death toll passed the grim milestone of 200,000, the highest in the world. According to a tally from Johns Hopkins University, at least 200,005 Americans have died of Covid-19 since the pandemic started in March, that is about one-fifth of the global death toll.
The EU Council has been postponed after its president went into quarantine when his bodyguard tested positive. Charles Michel’s test came back negative but he will quarantine nonetheless in accordance with Belgian rules, and the council will take place on 1 and 2 October.The EU Council has been postponed after its president went into quarantine when his bodyguard tested positive. Charles Michel’s test came back negative but he will quarantine nonetheless in accordance with Belgian rules, and the council will take place on 1 and 2 October.
The Netherlands posted a record weekly number of new confirmed coronavirus infections. In the week through 22 September cases hit 13,471, an increase of 60% on the 8,265 cases reported the week prior.The Netherlands posted a record weekly number of new confirmed coronavirus infections. In the week through 22 September cases hit 13,471, an increase of 60% on the 8,265 cases reported the week prior.
People arriving in Italy from Paris and seven other areas of France now have to undergo mandatory coronavirus tests. The move comes amid rising infections in France and affects people arriving from Île-de-France, the region including Paris, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Corsica, Hauts-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie.People arriving in Italy from Paris and seven other areas of France now have to undergo mandatory coronavirus tests. The move comes amid rising infections in France and affects people arriving from Île-de-France, the region including Paris, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Corsica, Hauts-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie.
Iran reported a record daily rise in infections. A further 3,712 positive cases took the tally to 429,193.Iran reported a record daily rise in infections. A further 3,712 positive cases took the tally to 429,193.