Some police officers in the UK may have gone a little too far in enforcing the coronavirus lockdown, the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has admitted, after people were summonsed to court for going for a drive and shopping for “non-essential items”.
Meanwhile the World Bank has warned the Covid-19 outbreak is causing “an unprecedented global shock” which is expected to sharply slow growth in developing economies in East Asia and the Pacific as well as China.
It comes after the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, announced a £75m plan to repatriate as many as 60,000 British travellers stranded overseas by the increasing number of travel restrictions during the pandemic.
On Monday the number of Covid-19 cases passed 750,000 worldwide.
Follow the latest updates
Trump tells governors there is no testing kit shortfall - even as they tell him of severe problems in their states
A leaked recording shows Donald Trump telling governors on a conference call that the US was no longer facing a shortfall in coronavirus testing kits – even as the governors themselves reported severe problems in their own states, including a lack of testing materials and of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical workers carrying the tests out.
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A leaked recording shows Donald Trump telling governors on a conference call that the US was no longer facing a shortfall in coronavirus testing kits – even as the governors themselves reported severe problems in their own states, including a lack of testing materials and of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical workers carrying the tests out.
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Trump clashes with governors over lack of coronavirus testing kits in leaked call
President claims not to be aware of any issues with testing despite abundant problems at national and state level
US appeal court temporarily allows Texas to limit abortion access during outbreak
A US appeals court has temporarily allowed the state of Texas to enforce limits on the ability of women to obtain abortions ias part of the its emergency response to the coronavirus outbreak.
In a brief order, a three judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on a 2-1 vote said it was blocking a federal district judge's order issued on Monday while it weighs how to decide the state's emergency appeal.
The court action means that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's can enforce his announcement last week that abortion providers were covered by a state order that required postponement of non-urgent medical procedures to preserve hospital beds and equipment.
A US appeals court has temporarily allowed the state of Texas to enforce limits on the ability of women to obtain abortions ias part of the its emergency response to the coronavirus outbreak.
In a brief order, a three judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on a 2-1 vote said it was blocking a federal district judge's order issued on Monday while it weighs how to decide the state's emergency appeal.
The court action means that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's can enforce his announcement last week that abortion providers were covered by a state order that required postponement of non-urgent medical procedures to preserve hospital beds and equipment.
Nurse 'robbed at knifepoint for PPE'
A nurse was reportedly robbed at knifepoint for 15 face masks after treating a patient in France.
The 32-year-old woman was allegedly driving along a quiet residential street when she was flagged down by a man claiming his friend, who was sitting on the pavement, was unwell.
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A nurse was reportedly robbed at knifepoint for 15 face masks after treating a patient in France.
The 32-year-old woman was allegedly driving along a quiet residential street when she was flagged down by a man claiming his friend, who was sitting on the pavement, was unwell.
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Nurse ‘robbed at knifepoint for coronavirus masks’ in France
32-year-old says it won’t deter her from working during Covid-19 crisis
Steep rise in cases in prisons as pregnant prisoners offered furlough
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed 65 prisons have tested positive for the virus across 23 prisons.
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed 65 prisons have tested positive for the virus across 23 prisons.
The figures, correct as of 5pm yesterday, mark a steep increase across a 24 hour span, rising by 10 cases among a disparately spread and easily quarantined population compared to the public at large.
It comes as the minister for justice announces pregnant prisoners will be temporarily released.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Robert Buckland QC MP said: “We have already taken extraordinary measures to protect prisoners and the public over the last few weeks, but it’s clear now that we must temporarily release pregnant woman and those with small babies with them inside prison.
“Governors can now temporarily release pregnant prisoners so that they can stay at home and reduce social contact like all other expectant mothers have been advised to do.”
It comes as the minister for justice announces pregnant prisoners will be temporarily released.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Robert Buckland QC MP said: “We have already taken extraordinary measures to protect prisoners and the public over the last few weeks, but it’s clear now that we must temporarily release pregnant woman and those with small babies with them inside prison.
“Governors can now temporarily release pregnant prisoners so that they can stay at home and reduce social contact like all other expectant mothers have been advised to do.”
US death toll outstrips China - Johns Hopkins
America's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has reached more than 3,400, eclipsing the reported number of deaths in China, according to Johns Hopkins University.
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America's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has reached more than 3,400, eclipsing the reported number of deaths in China, according to Johns Hopkins University.
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US coronavirus death toll overtakes China's
America's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has reached more than 3,400, eclipsing the reported number of deaths in China, according to Johns Hopkins University.
'The most hated man in congress' defends decision to drag house to Washington
Kentucky Republican congressman Thomas Massie has become a political punching bag in Washington after he nearly derailed the $2trn coronavirus relief bill by invoking parliamentary rules.
Last Friday, the House was set to pass the CARES Act, providing $2trn in coronavirus relief funding, but Mr Massie - citing parliamentary rules found in the Constitution - called for a “recorded vote,” rather than a voice vote, which would have forced a majority of Congress to be present on the floor to vote on the bill.
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Kentucky Republican congressman Thomas Massie has become a political punching bag in Washington after he nearly derailed the $2trn coronavirus relief bill by invoking parliamentary rules.
Last Friday, the House was set to pass the CARES Act, providing $2trn in coronavirus relief funding, but Mr Massie - citing parliamentary rules found in the Constitution - called for a “recorded vote,” rather than a voice vote, which would have forced a majority of Congress to be present on the floor to vote on the bill.
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'Most hated man on Capitol Hill' speaks out after forcing politicians to travel to DC for coronavirus vote
'Congress should show up to work if they’re telling trucks and grocery store baggers to show up to work. A congressman making $174,000 with health benefits should sure as hell show up'
Austria makes wearing coronavirus masks compulsory
Across Austria, people entering grocery stores and super markets will be required to wear surgical masks starting today, the government announced.
The masks, it said, would be available free-of-charge at every grocery store in the country.
Across Austria, people entering grocery stores and super markets will be required to wear surgical masks starting today, the government announced.
The masks, it said, would be available free-of-charge at every grocery store in the country.
But will they help? Denis Hruby has more:
Austria makes wearing coronavirus masks compulsory
Questions remain over how stores will provide hundreds of masks each day, Denise Hruby reports from Vienna
Testing must go 'further and faster' - Gove
Michael Gove said that while the rate of coronavirus testing in the UK has increased, the UK must go further and faster.
Speaking at the government's daily update, the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster said: "More NHS staff are returning to the frontline, and more testing is taking place to help those self-isolating come back, and to protect those working so hard in our hospitals and in social care.
Michael Gove said that while the rate of coronavirus testing in the UK has increased, the UK must go further and faster.
Speaking at the government's daily update, the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster said: "More NHS staff are returning to the frontline, and more testing is taking place to help those self-isolating come back, and to protect those working so hard in our hospitals and in social care.
"But while the rate of testing is increasing, we must go further, faster."
He said a "critical constraint" on the ability to rapidly increase testing capacity is the availability of the chemical reagents, but that Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock were working with companies worldwide to ensure the UK gets the material needed to increase tests "of all kind".
George Alagiah tests positive for virus
The BBC's George Alagiah has shared a message of encouragement with fellow cancer patients after testing positive for Covid-19.
The newsreader, who has been twice diagnosed with the disease before contracting the virus said "if I can live with cancer, I can certainly live with Covid-19."
Mr Alagiah had decided earlier this month that he was going to stop appearing on air from the studio amid the virus outbreak following advice from doctors and colleagues.
The BBC's George Alagiah has shared a message of encouragement with fellow cancer patients after testing positive for Covid-19.
The newsreader, who has been twice diagnosed with the disease before contracting the virus said "if I can live with cancer, I can certainly live with Covid-19."
Mr Alagiah had decided earlier this month that he was going to stop appearing on air from the studio amid the virus outbreak following advice from doctors and colleagues.
Milan exhibition hub turned to hospital in 10 days
Milan’s leading exhibition centre has been converted into Italy’s largest intensive care facility to help deal with the coronavirus pandemic in the worst afflicted region in the world.
Only last month, the exhibition grounds of “Fiera Milano City” had welcomed top international designers to Italy’s most stylish city as part of the renowned annual Fashion Week.
But hospital beds attached to ventilators and oxygen supplies now lined over 269,000 square foot of its pavilions.
Only last month, the exhibition grounds of “Fiera Milano City” had welcomed top international designers to Italy’s most stylish city as part of the renowned annual Fashion Week.
But hospital beds attached to ventilators and oxygen supplies now lined over 269,000 square foot of its pavilions.
More from Federica Marsi in Milan below:
Italy’s worst-hit region builds new coronavirus hospital in 10 days
‘It will be the symbol of our victory against coronavirus’
Flanker Mbanda continues to volunteer on Italian frontlines
Italian rugby union player Maxime Mbanda has vowed to push through the fear and keep driving ambulances carrying coronavirus patients to and from hospital.
The Zebre back-row forward is volunteering for Italy’s Yellow Cross charity, driving Covid-19 patients to hospital in emergencies, or transferring patients from one medical centre to another.
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Italian rugby union player Maxime Mbanda has vowed to push through the fear and keep driving ambulances carrying coronavirus patients to and from hospital.
The Zebre back-row forward is volunteering for Italy’s Yellow Cross charity, driving Covid-19 patients to hospital in emergencies, or transferring patients from one medical centre to another.
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Italy star fights fear as volunteer in battle to beat coronavirus
The 27-year-old has driving ambulances carrying coronavirus patients to and from hospitals
Qantas flight forced to make u-turn after baggage handler tests positive
A Qantas flight was forced to make a mid-air U-turn on 31 March after baggage handlers working for the airline tested positive for coronavirus.
Flight QF741 left Sydney at 3.34pm local time, and was due to reach Adelaide at 5.15pm.
A Qantas flight was forced to make a mid-air U-turn on 31 March after baggage handlers working for the airline tested positive for coronavirus.
Flight QF741 left Sydney at 3.34pm local time, and was due to reach Adelaide at 5.15pm.
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Qantas flight diverted to Sydney after baggage handlers test positive
Several more flights out of Adelaide were also cancelledGoogle halts April fools' day features
Google have, with the utmost reliability, taken full advantage of April Fools' Day in the past to prank the globe - such as Google Play for pets and a smart device for the garden dubbed Google Gnome.
However the company has read the room and decided not to try any tricks this year.
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Google cancels famous April Fools' Day announcements
Company suggests stunts will return next year
CNN anchor and borther to New York governor tests positive
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, brother to New York Governor Andrew, has been diagnosed with the coronavirus.
"I have been exposed to people in recent days who have subsequently tested positive and I had fever, chills and shortness of breath," he wrote on Twitter.
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CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, brother to New York Governor Andrew, has been diagnosed with the coronavirus.
"I have been exposed to people in recent days who have subsequently tested positive and I had fever, chills and shortness of breath," he wrote on Twitter.
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CNN anchor Chris Cuomo diagnosed with coronavirus
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo has been diagnosed with the coronavirus.
Italy health chief says infections are steadying
The head of Italy's national institutes of health says the country has hit the "plateau" in its coronavirus infection rate, three weeks into a national lockdown.
Dr. Silvio Brusaferro says the country should start to see a decline in new cases in the epicenter of Europe's pandemic. But he stressed it would be folly to relax Italy's productivity shutdown and stay-at-home restrictions now, even though the rate of new virus infections is slowing.
"The curve suggests we are at the plateau," he said. "We have to confirm it, because arriving at the plateau doesn't mean we have conquered the peak and we're done. It means now we should start to see the decline if we continue to place maximum attention on what we do every day."
The head of Italy's national institutes of health says the country has hit the "plateau" in its coronavirus infection rate, three weeks into a national lockdown.
Dr. Silvio Brusaferro says the country should start to see a decline in new cases in the epicenter of Europe's pandemic. But he stressed it would be folly to relax Italy's productivity shutdown and stay-at-home restrictions now, even though the rate of new virus infections is slowing.
"The curve suggests we are at the plateau," he said. "We have to confirm it, because arriving at the plateau doesn't mean we have conquered the peak and we're done. It means now we should start to see the decline if we continue to place maximum attention on what we do every day."
Gove - ventilators will be deployed by next week
Michael Gove has said newly produced ventilators will begin their roll out next week.
Oxygen will also be deployed sooner thanks to a partnership with businesses including Mercedes.
Oxygen will also be deployed sooner thanks to a partnership with businesses including Mercedes.
Italy death toll climbs to more than 12,400
The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has climbed by 837 to 12,428, the Civil Protection Agency has said, with the daily tally rising, albeit slightly, for a second day running.
The number of new cases was broadly steady, growing by 4,053 against 4,050 on Monday, and bringing total infections since the outbreak came to light on Feb. 21 to 105,792.
Some 5,217 new cases were registered on Sunday and 5,974 on Saturday, suggesting the growth curve of new infections is flattening.
The daily tally of deaths in Lombardy, the worst-affected region, declined sharply, and new infections were also down for at least the third day running, suggesting the situation is improving there faster than elsewhere in the country.
In neighbouring Piedmont, on the other hand, the daily death toll of 105 was up sharply from the day before.
The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has climbed by 837 to 12,428, the Civil Protection Agency has said, with the daily tally rising, albeit slightly, for a second day running.
The number of new cases was broadly steady, growing by 4,053 against 4,050 on Monday, and bringing total infections since the outbreak came to light on Feb. 21 to 105,792.
Some 5,217 new cases were registered on Sunday and 5,974 on Saturday, suggesting the growth curve of new infections is flattening.
The daily tally of deaths in Lombardy, the worst-affected region, declined sharply, and new infections were also down for at least the third day running, suggesting the situation is improving there faster than elsewhere in the country.
In neighbouring Piedmont, on the other hand, the daily death toll of 105 was up sharply from the day before.
Michael Gove begins daily briefing
He is joined by deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries and NHS England's chief medical officer Stephen Powis.
Safety of closed door Tour de France brought into question
The sport director of Australian road cycling team Mitchelton-Scott, Matt White, has questioned whether it would be safe to run the Tour de France on its planned dates whether it took place ‘behind closed doors’ or not.
“We’re not talking about four-five venues, we are a travelling circus", he said. "We’re talking about 2000 people; teams, media, logistics and movement between 20 hotels over 25 days. Safety has to remain the priority.”
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The sport director of Australian road cycling team Mitchelton-Scott, Matt White, has questioned whether it would be safe to run the Tour de France on its planned dates whether it took place ‘behind closed doors’ or not.
“We’re not talking about four-five venues, we are a travelling circus", he said. "We’re talking about 2000 people; teams, media, logistics and movement between 20 hotels over 25 days. Safety has to remain the priority.”
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Doubts raised over behind closed doors Tour de France
French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu revealed last week organisers ASO are looking at ways the 107th edition of the race could still start in Nice as planned on 27 JuneRough sleepers in Australia to be sheltered in 5-star hotels
Rough sleepers in Australia unable to self-isolate amid the coronavirus pandemic are to be moved into five-star hotels in a new pilot scheme.
The “Hotels With Heart” pilot will see 20 of Perth‘s most at-risk rough sleepers moved into the Pan Pacific hotel for one month.
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The “Hotels With Heart” pilot will see 20 of Perth‘s most at-risk rough sleepers moved into the Pan Pacific hotel for one month.
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Homeless to be moved into five-star hotels amid coronavirus outbreak in Australia
Scheme currently only set to house 20 people but could be scaled up to protect domestic abuse victimsPlease allow a moment for the blog to load
