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Coronavirus live news: UK records 174 deaths; Colombia due to surpass 1m cases Coronavirus live news: UK records 174 deaths; Colombia due to surpass 1m cases
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Tory MP Ben Bradley agrees with tweet saying free school meals money goes to ‘crack den and brothel’; EU fights second waveTory MP Ben Bradley agrees with tweet saying free school meals money goes to ‘crack den and brothel’; EU fights second wave
The government is facing a legal battle with academics over its “unlawful” decision to reopen universities for face-to-face teaching last month.
The UK’s largest academic union is seeking a judicial review of the government’s decision to ignore advice from its own Sage committee of experts to move all non-essential university and college teaching online in September. In a pre-action letter, sent to the education secretary Gavin Williamson and shared with the Observer, the University and College Union (UCU) argues the government’s failure to direct universities to move to online teaching this term was unlawful, unfair, unjust and irrational.
The proportion of younger adults in the UK who admit to flouting Covid-19 restrictions has increased in the past fortnight to more than one in six, according to a new poll.
In a worrying sign for ministers, the latest Opinium poll for the Observer shows the proportion of 18- to 34-year-olds who admit breaking the rules has increased from 10% to 17% in the last fortnight. The proportion of 35- to 44-year-olds increased even more sharply – from 10% to 18% over the same period.
Interesting Reuters update from Colombia amid global anticipation for a vaccine:Interesting Reuters update from Colombia amid global anticipation for a vaccine:
In Australia, Victoria has recorded seven new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24-hours. This is a small figure on a global scale, but to residents of Melbourne it is worryingly high.In Australia, Victoria has recorded seven new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24-hours. This is a small figure on a global scale, but to residents of Melbourne it is worryingly high.
Melbourne has been under stay-at-home orders for 109 days and the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, is scheduled to announce an easing of restrictions today.Melbourne has been under stay-at-home orders for 109 days and the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, is scheduled to announce an easing of restrictions today.
It comes as the 14-day rolling average of new cases in the city fell below the target of five cases per day, to 4.6.It comes as the 14-day rolling average of new cases in the city fell below the target of five cases per day, to 4.6.
However, Andrews said on Saturday that the easing of restrictions could be in doubt because of a new outbreak in the city’s northern suburbs.However, Andrews said on Saturday that the easing of restrictions could be in doubt because of a new outbreak in the city’s northern suburbs.
Labour is ramping up the pressure on the UK government to U-turn and extend free school meal provision over the holidays, warning it will bring the motion back to parliament if ministers do not reverse their position before Christmas.Labour is ramping up the pressure on the UK government to U-turn and extend free school meal provision over the holidays, warning it will bring the motion back to parliament if ministers do not reverse their position before Christmas.
Shadow education secretary Kate Green called on the prime minister to meet with the taskforce set up by footballer Marcus Rashford “as a matter of urgency” to discuss its proposals for ending child poverty.Shadow education secretary Kate Green called on the prime minister to meet with the taskforce set up by footballer Marcus Rashford “as a matter of urgency” to discuss its proposals for ending child poverty.
“There is still time to change approach, but the Government must act quickly. If you change your policy now, we can ensure that no child goes to bed hungry on Christmas Day,” Green wrote in a letter to education secretary Gavin Williamson.“There is still time to change approach, but the Government must act quickly. If you change your policy now, we can ensure that no child goes to bed hungry on Christmas Day,” Green wrote in a letter to education secretary Gavin Williamson.
“Labour will not give up on the fight to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry, and if you do not change course we will bring this issue back to the House of Commons before Christmas.”“Labour will not give up on the fight to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry, and if you do not change course we will bring this issue back to the House of Commons before Christmas.”
Australians have become accustomed to the daily announcements of new Covid-19 cases. Although the majority of those cases – bar Victoria – have come through returning travellers from overseas, little has been known about Covid-positive cases that have passed through hotel quarantine, and how governments are tracking the origins of these cases.Australians have become accustomed to the daily announcements of new Covid-19 cases. Although the majority of those cases – bar Victoria – have come through returning travellers from overseas, little has been known about Covid-positive cases that have passed through hotel quarantine, and how governments are tracking the origins of these cases.
But data provided to Guardian Australia by three states – New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia – offers some important insights into Covid-positive returning travellers.But data provided to Guardian Australia by three states – New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia – offers some important insights into Covid-positive returning travellers.
The states each provided data from 29 March, when the travel restrictions were introduced, to 19 October, revealing that they were indeed monitoring countries-of-origin where returning travellers may have contracted the virus.The states each provided data from 29 March, when the travel restrictions were introduced, to 19 October, revealing that they were indeed monitoring countries-of-origin where returning travellers may have contracted the virus.
Data from NSW Health shows the majority of 873 Covid-positive travellers who arrived in the state were returning Australian nationals.Data from NSW Health shows the majority of 873 Covid-positive travellers who arrived in the state were returning Australian nationals.
Melissa Davey with the full report here:Melissa Davey with the full report here:
Angolan protesters defied coronavirus restrictions in the capital of Luanda on Saturday, taking to the streets to demonstrate against the government.Angolan protesters defied coronavirus restrictions in the capital of Luanda on Saturday, taking to the streets to demonstrate against the government.
Police, some mounted on horseback, fired teargas and beat up the protesters, who had set up barricades along the roads using skips, boulders and burning tyres, while others set a national flag ablaze, according to an AFP photographer.Police, some mounted on horseback, fired teargas and beat up the protesters, who had set up barricades along the roads using skips, boulders and burning tyres, while others set a national flag ablaze, according to an AFP photographer.
A police source who asked not to be identified told AFP that the demonstration – demanding the holding of local government elections – “resulted in barricades and acts of vandalism”.A police source who asked not to be identified told AFP that the demonstration – demanding the holding of local government elections – “resulted in barricades and acts of vandalism”.
Municipal elections, which had been scheduled for this year, have been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.Municipal elections, which had been scheduled for this year, have been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Those were acts of rioting, in a flagrant violation of (new pandemic restrictions), which do not allow street gatherings of more than five people,” he said.“Those were acts of rioting, in a flagrant violation of (new pandemic restrictions), which do not allow street gatherings of more than five people,” he said.
UK paediatricians have published an open letter calling on the government to extend provision of free school meals until at least Easter 2021 – you can read it here:UK paediatricians have published an open letter calling on the government to extend provision of free school meals until at least Easter 2021 – you can read it here:
The number of coronavirus deaths in the Czech Republic has doubled to 2,047 in two weeks, data from the health ministry showed on Saturday.The number of coronavirus deaths in the Czech Republic has doubled to 2,047 in two weeks, data from the health ministry showed on Saturday.
It took the country of 10.7 million seven months to reach 1,000 deaths after the first reported case.It took the country of 10.7 million seven months to reach 1,000 deaths after the first reported case.
The number of patients in a serious state grew to 772 as of Friday, up from 438 two weeks ago. Hospitals were treating 5,314 people with coronavirus in total.The number of patients in a serious state grew to 772 as of Friday, up from 438 two weeks ago. Hospitals were treating 5,314 people with coronavirus in total.
Here are the main developments from over the last few hours:Here are the main developments from over the last few hours:
Italy reported a new daily record of 19,644 new coronavirus infections on Saturday as the government considered further measures to limit the surge in cases.Italy reported a new daily record of 19,644 new coronavirus infections on Saturday as the government considered further measures to limit the surge in cases.
Algeria’s president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has entered self-isolation after several senior officials displayed coronavirus symptoms, the presidency has said in a statement.Algeria’s president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has entered self-isolation after several senior officials displayed coronavirus symptoms, the presidency has said in a statement.
Austria has reported a record daily rise in coronavirus cases, with 3,614 infections in the last 24 hours. It is a significant increase from the 2,571 announced on Friday.Austria has reported a record daily rise in coronavirus cases, with 3,614 infections in the last 24 hours. It is a significant increase from the 2,571 announced on Friday.
Coronavirus cases have risen by the record figure of 862 in Luxembourg, while a further three deaths being reported.Coronavirus cases have risen by the record figure of 862 in Luxembourg, while a further three deaths being reported.
The Metropolitan police have said they made 18 arrests at today’s anti-lockdown protest in central London.The Metropolitan police have said they made 18 arrests at today’s anti-lockdown protest in central London.
Greece announced a record 935 new infections on Saturday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 29,992.Greece announced a record 935 new infections on Saturday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 29,992.
France reported 45,422 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, compared to 42,032 on Friday. The country has registered a total of 1,086,497 cases.France reported 45,422 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, compared to 42,032 on Friday. The country has registered a total of 1,086,497 cases.
An investigation is underway in the Chinese region of Xinjiang after an asymptomatic coronavirus case was identified in the city of Kashgar on Saturday, the health commission said. It is the first local case in the region since 15 August.An investigation is underway in the Chinese region of Xinjiang after an asymptomatic coronavirus case was identified in the city of Kashgar on Saturday, the health commission said. It is the first local case in the region since 15 August.
Net approval of the UK government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis has fallen to a record low of -21%, a poll by Opinium shows.Net approval of the UK government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis has fallen to a record low of -21%, a poll by Opinium shows.
Public health officials and contractors in England have barely used check-in data from millions of people who have visited cafes, pubs and restaurants, the Guardian has learned.Public health officials and contractors in England have barely used check-in data from millions of people who have visited cafes, pubs and restaurants, the Guardian has learned.
As a legal condition introduced last month, venues are obliged to record customer details in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19, but the government’s hamstrung test-and-trace scheme has appeared unable to cope with the swiftly rising number of coronavirus cases.As a legal condition introduced last month, venues are obliged to record customer details in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19, but the government’s hamstrung test-and-trace scheme has appeared unable to cope with the swiftly rising number of coronavirus cases.
Mattha Busby reports here:Mattha Busby reports here:
France reported 45,422 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, compared with 42,032 on Friday. The country has registered a total of 1,086,497 cases.France reported 45,422 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, compared with 42,032 on Friday. The country has registered a total of 1,086,497 cases.
A further 138 people have died, taking the toll to 34,645.A further 138 people have died, taking the toll to 34,645.
The Welsh first minister has said the government will be “reviewing how the weekend has gone with the supermarkets”, amid anger over a ban on selling non-essential items during the firebreak lockdown.The Welsh first minister has said the government will be “reviewing how the weekend has gone with the supermarkets”, amid anger over a ban on selling non-essential items during the firebreak lockdown.
A petition to reverse the ban has gathered more than 30,000 signatures.A petition to reverse the ban has gathered more than 30,000 signatures.
Guidance published by the Welsh government says certain sections of supermarkets must be “cordoned off or emptied, and closed to the public”.Guidance published by the Welsh government says certain sections of supermarkets must be “cordoned off or emptied, and closed to the public”.
Mark Drakeford has said the restriction is in place as a “matter of fairness” to non-essential shops that have been ordered to close.Mark Drakeford has said the restriction is in place as a “matter of fairness” to non-essential shops that have been ordered to close.
The US is surging towards record numbers of new coronavirus infections above 100,000 a day, health experts have warned, just as a presidential campaign with the pandemic as its core issue enters its final week.The US is surging towards record numbers of new coronavirus infections above 100,000 a day, health experts have warned, just as a presidential campaign with the pandemic as its core issue enters its final week.
In a further blow to Donald Trump’s hopes of keeping the White House, the US death toll from Covid-19 will pass 225,000 by early this week, bringing extra scrutiny to the president’s repeated but evidently false claims that the crisis is “rounding the turn”.In a further blow to Donald Trump’s hopes of keeping the White House, the US death toll from Covid-19 will pass 225,000 by early this week, bringing extra scrutiny to the president’s repeated but evidently false claims that the crisis is “rounding the turn”.
Richard Luscombe has the story here:Richard Luscombe has the story here:
Spain’s cabinet will meet on Sunday morning to discuss announcing a national state of emergency, the government announced on Saturday.Spain’s cabinet will meet on Sunday morning to discuss announcing a national state of emergency, the government announced on Saturday.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez “has called an extraordinary cabinet meeting at 10am to study the conditions for a new state of emergency,” it said, saying such a proposal had been “positively welcomed by most of Spain’s autonomous communities, who had requested it”.Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez “has called an extraordinary cabinet meeting at 10am to study the conditions for a new state of emergency,” it said, saying such a proposal had been “positively welcomed by most of Spain’s autonomous communities, who had requested it”.
The meeting comes just days after Spain registered more than one million virus cases, becoming the sixth country in the world to pass the grim milestone – and the first in the European Union.The meeting comes just days after Spain registered more than one million virus cases, becoming the sixth country in the world to pass the grim milestone – and the first in the European Union.
Greece announced a record 935 new infections on Saturday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 29,992.Greece announced a record 935 new infections on Saturday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 29,992.
Five further deaths were also reported, taking the country’s toll to 564.Five further deaths were also reported, taking the country’s toll to 564.
The previous highest increase in cases was on Thursday, when 882 cases were reported.The previous highest increase in cases was on Thursday, when 882 cases were reported.
New measures were announced on Thursday, including a 12.30am-5am curfew in areas with high numbers of infections which comes into force tonight.New measures were announced on Thursday, including a 12.30am-5am curfew in areas with high numbers of infections which comes into force tonight.
Face masks are now compulsory in outdoor spaces as well as indoors.Face masks are now compulsory in outdoor spaces as well as indoors.