Top story: ‘Scale of problem is quite alarming’
Hello, Warren Murray with the news for those who like getting in early.
More than 2 million adults in England have experienced coronavirus symptoms lasting over 12 weeks, such as respiratory problems and fatigue, government data suggests. It is double the previous estimate for long Covid. The research by the React-2 study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, found that 37.7% of those who had symptomatic Covid experienced at least one symptom lasting 12 weeks or more, while 14.8% had three or more persistent symptoms. “The scale of the problem is quite alarming,” said Prof Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University. Dave Smith, 72, from Bristol, has told the Guardian of his experience including 42 positive tests and seven hospital admissions during a persistent infection over the course of 10 months.
It comes as more than 16,000 new confirmed Covid cases were reported in the UK on Wednesday, the highest daily figure since early February. The newest figures showed another 19 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19, bringing the UK total to 128,027. While death figures remain relatively low, the sharp rise in reported cases would appear to make it less likely that ministers will scrap most remaining Covid restrictions before the current four-week delay ends on 19 July. Our live blog is up and running with the latest coronavirus developments around the world.
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‘I deserve to have a life’ – Britney Spears has delivered an impassioned testimony describing the conservatorship that has governed her life for 13 years as “abusive … This conservatorship is doing me way more harm than good,” she told a Los Angeles court by telephone. “I deserve to have a life.” Spears said it “made no sense” that the conservatorship, partly controlled by her father, Jamie Spears, deemed her able to perform at the highest level of the entertainment industry but she was unable to make basic life decisions or spend the money she is earning.
The singer has said she would like to get her IUD removed and have another child but “I was told right now in the conservatorship I am not able to get married or have a baby”. The testimony marked the first time the 39-year old singer publicly and directly spoke out about her predicament. Her allegations were detailed and disturbing, and will fuel a growing international movement to push for her release from the arrangement. On Wednesday, an attorney for Jamie Spears said he “was sorry to see his daughter suffering and in so much pain”.
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Rainsbrook answers sought – Ministers and officials are under pressure from MPs to explain why the US-based contractor MTC received a two-year extension to run the Rainsbrook youth jail despite concerns about its performance. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has ordered that all children be removed from the site near Rugby, Warwickshire, after MTC failed to address problems raised by inspectors and by the justice secretary, Robert Buckland. The government was urged to step in after it emerged that children were being locked up for more than 23 hours a day during the coronavirus pandemic. The future of the site is yet to be determined.
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EU thaw towards Putin urged – Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel have suggested inviting Vladimir Putin to a summit with the EU after Joe Biden’s Geneva summit with the Russian president. Supporters of the idea argue that European leaders can deliver the same direct messages about Russian behaviour while keeping the door open to compromise and cooperation. Others argue it would reward Putin at a time when he is building up pressure on Ukraine, Russia stands accused of cyber-attacks, and Russian forces claim to have fired warning shots at a British warship in the Black Sea. The EU has not held a summit with Putin since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, and has imposed several layers of sanctions on Russia.
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McAfee found hanged – The software entrepreneur John McAfee, 75, has been found dead in his jail cell in Spain from an apparent suicide by hanging, hours after the country’s highest court approved his extradition to the United States on tax-related criminal charges. McAfee, the creator of the McAfee antivirus suite, was arrested last October at Barcelona’s international airport as he was about to board a flight to Istanbul. The creator of one of the most-used virus protection brands worldwide was a controversial figure, cryptocurrency promoter, tax opponent and fugitive who twice made long-shot runs for the US presidency.
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Monarchy’s diversity goals – Buckingham Palace has admitted it “must do more” in terms of diversity and is “not where we would like to be” as figures show people from ethnic minority backgrounds make up 8.5% of its staff. The figures are shown for the first time in the Queen’s annual financial accounts. A senior palace source said changes to its diversity strategy were implemented in early 2020, predating the Sussexes’ Oprah Winfrey interview this March. The palace wants to have 10% of its staff from ethnic minority backgrounds by 2022. The accounts reveal Harry and Meghan repaid £2.4m for the cost to the public purse of refurbishing Frogmore Cottage, and to rent it as as their UK home until at least March 2022.
Today in Focus podcast: Not everyone’s cup of NFT
The growth of non-fungible tokens has given rise to massive windfalls for those behind early virals. Sirin Kale and Alex Hern explain all.
Lunchtime read: Understanding the rise of Europe’s nativists
For the hardline conservatives ruling Poland and Hungary, the transition from communism to liberal democracy was a mirage. Four out of every five citizens of Poland and Hungary support their country’s EU membership. But for the anti-liberals in Budapest and Warsaw, the goal is autonomy within Europe, not independence outside of it.
Sport
Joachim Löw has warned Germany that they cannot repeat their group stage mistakes when they face England at Wembley on Tuesday, otherwise their participation in Euro 2020 will be over. Portugal occupied every position in Group F at various stages of an epic 2-2 draw with France in Budapest before securing their place in the last 16. Two years after their heartbreak in the World Cup final at Lord’s, New Zealand returned to English soil and emerged as inaugural world Test champions at the end of a dramatic sixth day against India. Jos Buttler further embellished an outstanding record at the top of England’s order with a ninth half-century in 20 innings as opener to power England to an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. Manchester United have indicated to Borussia Dortmund that they are prepared to raise their offer for Jadon Sancho to £73m (€85m). Mark Cavendish’s relationship with the Tour de France has been a “long, long love story and also a hate story”, his team manager Patrick Lefevere has said. And the all-female W Series has announced it is to introduce a new team competition for 2021.
Business
Victoria Beckham is reducing the average price of her dresses by almost 40% as the fashion industry adapts to the disruptions to lifestyle and budget caused by the pandemic. Marie Leblanc, the label’s chief executive, said the changes were necessary to “future-proof” the brand. Sterling has held its ground at $1.396 and €1.171, while the FTSE100 is looking at a modest 0.1% rise at the opening bell.
The papers
“Police officer convicted of footballer’s manslaughter” – the Guardian’s front-page lead today after PC Benjamin Monk was found to have used excessive force when he fired an electric stun gun into the former professional footballer Dalian Atkinson for 33 seconds and kicked him twice in the head as he lay on the ground. The West Mercia police officer was acquitted of murder. The Metro headlines its story “Prem star killed by cop”.
The Telegraph says “Merkel puts holidays to Europe in doubt” – Germany’s chancellor has said everyone arriving from the UK should have to quarantine. Boris Johnson is shown having his first audience with the Queen since March 2020 – the monarch sympathised about the Covid burdens of “poor man” Matt Hancock, the health secretary. Others use the same picture including the Express though its splash is “Charles spells out truth on cash gifts to Harry”, about the Prince of Wales giving the Sussexes financial support after their contentious uncoupling from the royal family. The i says “Revealed: Hancock’s next NHS nightmare” as he seeks to get a law through that would give him more control over the health service.
Drama at sea in the Daily Mail, which says “Mailman on ship as Putin gunboat opens fire” – one of its reporters filed copy from on board the HMS Defender and yes that does appear to be “mailman” with no space. The Times is thunderous with “You won’t stop our ships, defiant Britain tells Putin” after the Defender briefly sailed through territorial waters off the coast of the disputed territory of Crimea, prompting Russian complaints and a disagreement about whether warning shots were fired. The FT looks forward with “Berlin and Paris propose reset for EU relations with Moscow” (you can read about that here) – the Defender is shown but that story is on the inside pages. The Mirror says “Thank you” to Covid heroes for “1,000 acts of kindness” during lockdown, with “touching stories” and a special pullout.
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