The Guardian

Global coronavirus death toll reaches 2 million people; UK shuts travel corridors and requires negative Covid tests to enter; German vaccine officials forced to guess who is eligible from namesBrazil rushes to save premature babies as Covid swamps hospitalsVaccine passports: what are they and do they pose a danger to privacy?US suffers bleak January as Covid rages and vaccination campaign falters‘At the coalface’: what the Australian expert in WHO’s Covid mission in China hopes to find 2.13am GMT In a twist that, well, most people could see coming the Australian Open is now facing massive complications after two people on the charter flight QR7493 from LAX tested positive to Covid-19 on arrival in Melbourne. In an email posted on social media by Mexican world number 155 Santiago González which appears to be sent by Tennis Australia, the players are instructed that they must isolate in their rooms for two weeks with no ability to train in the vital days leading up to the competition. Unfortunately we have been informed by the health authorities that two people on your flight from LAX that arrived at 5:15am on Friday 15 January have returned positive COVID-19 PCR tests on arrival to Melbourne.The Chief Helth Officer has reviewed the flight and has determined that everyone on board needs to isolate and will be confined to their rooms for the 14 days quarantin [sic]. 2.07am GMT Australia’s shadow foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has accused the federal government of abandoning the roughly 40,000 Australians still stranded overseas after airline Emirates announced late on Friday it was cancelling flights to cities on the east coast. Labor has been critical of the government’s decision to leave hotel quarantine up to the states, and on Saturday Wong said the prime minister, Scott Morrison, had “refused to take responsibility”. Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jan/16/coronavirus-live-news-global-death-toll-passes-milestone-as-emirates-cancels-australian-flights-live

Author : Michael McGowan

Publish date : 2021-01-16 02:13:33

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Pfizer delay due to upgrading of its production capacity; lateral flow tests limited to hauliers travelling from England to FranceGerman vaccine officials forced to guess who is eligible from namesUS suffers bleak January as Covid rages and vaccinations falterChina rushes to vaccinate 50 million as holiday loomsUS coronavirus updates – live UK coronavirus updates – live
3.02pm GMT The consultant behind an informal recommendation at an NHS trust in the north-east of England to provide Covid patients with high doses of vitamin D has spoken to the BBC about the reason behind the unusual move. Endocrinologist Dr Richard Quinton, whose hospital in Newcastle began megadosing Covid patients with vitamin D in March, says its efficacy is almost certainly proven ‘on balance of probabilities’ – with data suggesting it could well have saved lives locally pic.twitter.com/PaEJngeIGk Related: Does vitamin D combat Covid? 2.58pm GMT German toddlers called Fritz or Adele could be invited for a Covid-19 vaccination while octogenarian Peters and Brigittes will not, as an overzealous interpretation of data privacy laws in one state has forced officials to guess people’s ages from their first names.Authorities in the northern German state of Lower Saxony claim legal hurdles blocked them from accessing official records when trying to send a written invitation for a vaccination appointment to all citizens aged over 80. Related: German Covid vaccine officials play name game to comply with data privacy laws Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jan/15/coronavirus-live-news-hospitals-in-brazilian-state-at-breaking-point-amid-oxygen-shortage-global-deaths-near-2m

Author : Mattha Busby (now); Ben Quinn and Helen Sullivan (earlier)

Publish date : 2021-01-15 15:02:09

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Like other Australian ministers, Keith Pitt has been unable to secure a call with his Chinese counterpart amid ongoing tensionsThe Morrison government is appealing to China to rule out discriminating against Australian coal, with the resources minister raising fears about the “human cost” of the standoff as seafarers are stuck aboard more than 70 ships waiting to unload the product.In an interview with Guardian Australia, Keith Pitt said the cost of coal had increased as a result of the impasse but Canberra was “yet to hear anything through official channels” about any change in Beijing’s treatment of the Australian commodity. Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/15/australian-government-raises-fears-about-the-human-cost-of-china-coal-standoff

Author : Daniel Hurst

Publish date : 2021-01-15 03:24:15

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Sales projected to dive in main UK and European markets as Covid restrictions keep stores closedPrimark has said lockdown store closures would mean missing out on more than £1bn in sales, but added it was confident of a resurgence after the crisis ended, promising: “We are going to be back.”The fast fashion retailer does not sell online, and three-quarters of its store space is closed, including all of its 190 UK shops, plus a further 115 across European markets such as Germany, Ireland and Spain. Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/14/primark-forecasts-1bn-sales-loss-as-covid-restrictions-shutter-stores

Author : Jasper Jolly and Zoe Wood

Publish date : 2021-01-14 15:59:47

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New York Mayor warns city will fall short of its inoculation goals unless it gets more vaccine; first death in China for eight months recorded in Hebei provinceCoronavirus variant from UK ‘must not get out of hand’ warns EUUS coronavirus death toll reaches new one-day highUK coronavirus deaths pass 100,000 after 1,564 reported in one dayTokyo outbreak adds to doubts over hosting Olympic GamesSee all our coronavirus coverage 4.32am GMT The WHO’s global team of researchers have Wuhan, the Chinese city where the coronavirus pandemic was first detected, to conduct a politically sensitive investigation into its origins amid uncertainty about whether Beijing might try to prevent embarrassing discoveries, AP reports.

The 10-member team sent to Wuhan by the World Health Organization was approved by President Xi Jinping’s government after months of diplomatic wrangling that prompted an unusual public complaint by the head of the WHO.

Scientists suspect the virus that has killed 1.9 million people since late 2019 jumped to humans from bats or other animals, most likely in China’s southwest. The ruling Communist Party, stung by complaints it allowed the disease to spread, says the virus came from abroad, possibly on imported seafood, but scientists reject that.The @WHO team will receive both throat swabs and antibody tests at #Wuhan airport, and will be quarantined for 14 days in accordance with regulations. https://t.co/NzQybIKuyo 4.13am GMT The Hebei death comes as China readies for the arrival of an expert team of scientists from the World Health Organization, who will start a politically sensitive investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic.The 10-strong team is expected to arrive shortly in Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the virus was first detected in late 2019. Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jan/14/coronavirus-live-news-new-york-pleads-for-more-covid-vaccine-as-global-daily-deaths-pass-17000-for-first-time

Author : Helen Sullivan

Publish date : 2021-01-14 04:32:17

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House speaker: Trump ‘must go’McConnell’s office: no impeachment trial before 19 JanuaryMore than 70 charged so far over Capitol attackUS Covid deaths hit one-day high
AOC thought she ‘was going to die’ during Capitol attackKamala Harris: how will the next vice-president wield her power? Join the Guardian for a live conversation on 18 January 6.27pm GMT House Democrats have consistently denounced Donald Trump for inciting the Capitol riot during the debate on the article of impeachment.Hakeem Jeffries, who served as an impeachment manager during the president’s first Senate trial, referred to Trump as “a living, breathing impeachable offense”.”Donald Trump is a living, breathing impeachable offense” — Rep. Hakeem Jeffries pic.twitter.com/8P8I7DgebiRep. Raskin: “It is a bit much to be hearing that these people would not be trying to destroy our government and kill us if we just weren’t so mean to them.” pic.twitter.com/TEydYa2PSn 6.20pm GMT At least 20,000 National Guard troops may be deployed to help safeguard the nation’s capital ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration next week. “I think you can expect to see somewhere upwards beyond 20,000 members of the National Guard that will be here in the footprint of the District of Columbia,” acting DC police chief Robert Contee said at a news conference on Wednesday. Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/jan/13/donald-trump-impeachment-nancy-pelosi-joe-biden-mike-pence-congress-covid-coronavirus-live-updates

Author : Joan E Greve (now) and Martin Belam (earlier)

Publish date : 2021-01-13 18:27:09

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Effort gains momentum as senior House Republicans join Democrats in calling for Trump’s removal from office for role in Capitol attackThe US House of Representatives was poised on Wednesday officially to charge Donald Trump with inciting an insurrection against the US government in the wake of the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January by a pro-Trump mob, an extraordinary and historic measure that would make him the only American president ever to be impeached twice.The unprecedented effort gained momentum overnight as senior Republican leaders in the House joined Democrats in calling for his removal from office for his role in inflaming a horde of loyalists who led the deadly assault on the US Capitol while members of Congress in both the House and Senate were in session to certify Joe Biden’s victory over Trump in November’s presidential election. Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/13/house-trump-inciting-insurrection-impeachment-capitol-attack

Author : Lauren Gambino in Washington

Publish date : 2021-01-13 13:26:29

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Nancy Pelosi has accused Donald Trump of associating himself with sedition and treason in a strong statement calling for the removal of the president through impeachment after a failed call for enactment of the 25th amendment.
The final vote on Tuesday night was 223 to 205, with only one Republican backing the non-binding resolution that asked Mike Pence, the vice-president, to declare Trump ‘incapable’ under the 25th amendmentStage set for impeachment after Pence dismisses House call to invoke 25th amendment Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2021/jan/13/a-dark-week-nancy-pelosi-pushes-to-remove-trump-video

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Publish date : 2021-01-13 08:28:32

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Coronavac less effective than previously thought; US coronavirus testing requirements expanded to most international air travellers; Tunisia announces four-day coronavirus lockdown Negative Covid test required to enter England from FridayGermany and Netherlands likely to extend lockdowns‘Countless horrors’: LA hospital at centre of Covid crisisWHO mission to Wuhan: ‘it’s not about finding China guilty’See all our coronavirus coverage 1.01am GMT In the UK, people who were trapped in poverty before the pandemic have suffered the most financial damage during the crisis, according to a report warning the government that more support is needed to help hard-pressed families.The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said those who had been struggling to make ends meet before March last year were more likely to work in precarious jobs or sectors of the economy that had been hardest hit by lockdowns. Related: Lowest paid in UK have suffered the most financially in the pandemic, report finds 12.33am GMT Anyone flying to the US will soon need to show proof of a negative test for Covid-19, health officials announced Tuesday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirement expands on a similar one announced late last month for passengers coming from the United Kingdom. The new order takes effect in two weeks, AP reports.

Covid is already widespread in the US, with more than 22 million cases reported to date, including more than 375,000 deaths. The new measures are designed to try to prevent travelers from bringing in newer forms of the virus that scientists say can spread more easily.

The CDC order applies to US citizens as well as foreign travellers. The agency said it delayed the effective date until 26 January to give airlines and travellers time to comply.

International travel to the US has already been decimated by pandemic restrictions put in place last March that banned most foreigners from Europe and other areas. Travel by foreigners to the US and by Americans to international destinations in December was down 76% compared to a year earlier, according to trade group Airlines for America.

The new restrictions require air passengers to get a Covid-19 test within three days of their flight to the US, and to provide written proof of the test result to the airline.

Travellers can also provide documentation that they had the infection in the past and recovered.

Airlines are ordered to stop passengers from boarding if they don’t have proof of a negative test.

“Testing does not eliminate all risk,” CDC Director Robert R. Redfield said in a statement. “But when combined with a period of staying at home and everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer, healthier, and more responsible by reducing spread on planes, in airports, and at destinations.”

The CDC order is “a reasonable approach” to reducing the risk of new variants from abroad entering the US, said Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University’s school of public health. Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jan/13/coronavirus-live-news-chinese-vaccine-50-effective-in-brazil-us-cdc-expands-pre-flight-covid-testing

Author : Helen Sullivan

Publish date : 2021-01-13 01:01:15

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Annastacia Palaszczuk calls for hotel quarantine rethink after cluster discovered; NSW records one new community case. Follow all the latest news and information, liveState by state restrictions explained
Covid hotspots Victoria; NSW hotspots; Queensland hotspotsNSW and Sydney trend map: where cases are rising or fallingFollow the global coronavirus live blog 12.22am GMT So while the Mount Druitt Hospital case has been genomically linked to the Berala cluster, we still don’t know exactly how that man is linked to the other infected people. Chant was asked if this means there might be undetected infected people still out in the community. If we cannot readily link a case with a direct crossover with an infectious case it means we are potentially missing chains of transmission. That is why at the moment we are doing a lot of what we call “upstream”, contact tracing and that’s looking at what could have infected this person. That gives us other lines of inquiry where we might find a crossover to that person to other cases of known contacts. Overnight, we’ve also had a detection at the West Hornsby Treatment Plant and this catchment takes in Glen Nori, Pen innocent Hills, castle Hill, Hornsby and Norman Hurst and West Pennant Hills. We are aware of some cases in that catchment but as a precaution we again draw this to the attention of the community and ask you to again reflect on if you have the most minimal of symptoms, please just get a test as we go through this very critical response. 12.16am GMT Berejiklian says she expects the UK variant of Covid-19 to become dominant in Australia’s (rather sparse) cases. I just think we need to assume that these variant strains are going to become the dominant strain and whilst we have outstanding quarantine systems in Australia throughout most of the states, we can’t be assured that that strain won’t seep out into the community. That’s why I strongly welcome the pause that we’ll be taking in the number of people we’re welcoming back home from the next month. So from January 15 to February 15, New South Wales will be halving the number of people that come down. Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/jan/13/australia-live-news-mccormack-covid-misinformation-nsw-mystery-corona-brisbane-victoria-queensland

Author : Matilda Boseley

Publish date : 2021-01-13 00:22:19

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The acting US attorney for the District of Columbia, Michael Sherwin, has indicated that many amid the hundreds of pro-Trump rioters who violently invaded the US Capitol last Wednesday are suspected of a range of crimes including felony murder, sedition and conspiracy.
At a press conference in Washington, prosecutors said there are at least 160 federal criminal cases open and they are ready to track down individuals across the country and apprehend them wherever possible – potentially arresting hundreds if not thousands of people.’The range of criminal conduct was unmatched,’ Sherwin said. He warned rioters: ‘You will be charged and you will be found’ Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2021/jan/12/sedition-and-conspiracy-prosecutors-cite-wide-ranging-crimes-in-capitol-attack-video

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Publish date : 2021-01-12 21:39:11

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Secretary of state cancels trip after European officials publicly criticized Trump’s role in last week’s storming of the Capitol US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has cancelled a trip to Europe at the last minute after European officials were publicly critical of Donald Trump’s role in last week’s storming of the Capitol.The official reason for the cancellation of the trip, originally to Brussels and Luxembourg, was the need to coordinate with a transition team from the incoming Biden administration, but it comes after the unprecedented attack on American democracy that stunned many world leaders and US allies. Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/12/mike-pompeo-cancels-trip-european-condemnation-capitol-attack

Author : Julian Borger and agencies

Publish date : 2021-01-12 20:55:13

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Security footage shows the Republican state representative Mike Nearman leaving a door open and allowing far-right protesters into the Oregon capitol building during a special legislative session on 21 December. As politicians discussed coronavirus-related bills, about 50 protesters briefly breached the building. The capitol has been closed to the public as part of a pandemic safety measure.It is not immediately clear if Nearman will face consequences for his actions. He has not commented Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2021/jan/12/republican-politician-opens-oregon-capitol-door-for-far-right-rioters-video

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Publish date : 2021-01-12 19:38:37

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Wednesday: US president says his speech that incited the siege was ‘totally appropriate’. Plus: why the CSIRO diet isn’t just another fad Good morning, this is Tamara Howie bringing you the main stories and must-reads on Wednesday 13 January. Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/13/morning-mail-trump-rejects-riot-responsibility-acting-pm-under-fire-baby-sharks-weaker

Author : Tamara Howie

Publish date : 2021-01-12 19:52:19

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‘We embraced judgmental, moral certainty and perverse religious morality,’ says taoiseach
Ireland has ripped back the veil on a dark historical chapter which condemned tens of thousands of unmarried mothers and their babies to callousness and cruelty in state- and Catholic church-run institutions.A judicial commission of investigation on Tuesday published a long-awaited 2,865-page report into a network of “mother and baby homes” that inflicted abuse and shame – with the complicity of wider society – for much of the 20th century. Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/12/ireland-report-appalling-abuse-mother-baby-homes

Author : Rory Carroll Ireland correspondent

Publish date : 2021-01-12 18:51:59

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