Tuesday, June 2

Author: Sumon Admin

Government hid BAME guidance
6Jun By Sumon AdminNo Comments
Featured, United Kingdom

Government hid BAME guidance

    Labour's shadow health secretary has accused the government of covering up vital recommendations that could help protect black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people from COVID-19. Jonathan Ashworth's criticisms come after Whitehall sources told Sky News the recommendations from a Public Health England (PHE) review were held back by the government, adding "ministers have had this element of the report". On Tuesday, the government issued the data element of the long awaited review, led by PHE national director for health and wellbeing Professor Kevin Fenton, following suggestions from sources it was set to be delayed because of the Black Lives Matter movement. Data collected by PHE was published but a qualitative assessment, including the recommendations for...
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Doctors: Start using masks now
5Jun By Sumon AdminNo Comments
Featured, United Kingdom

Doctors: Start using masks now

    Plans to make face coverings compulsory on public transport do not go far enough, the British Medical Association has warned. From 15 June, bus and train commuters in England could be refused travel if they fail to comply with the measures - or face a fine. But according to the BMA, this should be extended to all areas where social distancing is not possible. BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul also questioned why the introduction of these measures has been delayed adding that the risk posed by coronavirus would be much less if the public starts wearing face coverings immediately. He said: The BMA recently advocated the wearing of face coverings by the public several weeks ago in areas where they cannot socially distance and believes it is right that people should...
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Scientist slams UK quarantine plans
4Jun By Sumon AdminNo Comments
Featured, United Kingdom

Scientist slams UK quarantine plans

    Priti Patel insisted a 14-day quarantine for UK arrivals is essential to save lives despite the government's own scientific advisers distancing themselves from the plan. The Home Secretary yesterday defied a huge Tory revolt led by former Prime Minister Theresa May to tell MPs the blanket rule will come into force from Monday, with the next review not due to happen until the end of the month. She admitted it will hit businesses hard and confirmed travel corridors are being considered to low-infection countries. Sources also claim that there is frustration among some members of the board, who feel that introducing the restrictions is 'not following the science while one scientist blasted the proposals for making no sense. Sir Patrick said at yesterday's Downing Str...
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Mayor John Biggs announces new cabinet
3Jun By Sumon AdminNo Comments
Featured, London

Mayor John Biggs announces new cabinet

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs, today announced his new cabinet. The Mayor welcomed four new councillors to his cabinet in a shakeup of political responsibilities about who helps manage council services in a borough with over 300,000 residents. Councillor Asma Islam, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, Councillor Eve Mc Quillan and Councillor Dan Tomlinson have been appointed to Cabinet. They were all elected in 2018 and have served as Mayoral Advisors. For the first time, the Mayor has introduced job share portfolios so cabinet positions are now in line with modern employment practices. Councillors who are unable to devote the full amount of time necessary for a full Cabinet portfolio due to their personal circumstances, are no longer unfairly prevented from joining Cabinet. This also provid...
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Plan to cap numbers at UK universities to go ahead
2Jun By Sumon AdminNo Comments
Featured, United Kingdom

Plan to cap numbers at UK universities to go ahead

    The UK government is going ahead with controversial plans to limit the number of students from England who can enrol at universities in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, rejecting opposition from the devolved administrations. Education ministers from Scotland and Wales angrily denounced the move, which they said was designed to stop damaging competition for students among English universities but could instead destabilise their own institutions. Michelle Donelan, the higher education minister for England, held meetings throughout the day with her counterparts from the devolved governments, but refused to back down on the policy. Kirsty Williams, the Welsh education minister, said after meeting Donelan: I disagree strongly with England’s approach on this matter....
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UK virus death toll crosses 39,000
1Jun By Sumon AdminNo Comments
Featured, United Kingdom

UK virus death toll crosses 39,000

    The UK's official coronavirus death toll has risen by 111 as Brits enjoy the first day of the less strict lockdown rules. The Department of Health this afternoon said the death toll since the start of the coronavirus pandemic has risen to 39,045. Yesterday's death toll was 38,489 after 113 deaths were reported overnight into Sunday. Matt Hancock today said there were 128,437 tests carried out in the UK yesterday, taking the total to 4.48million tests conducted since the start of the crisis. There were 1,570 cases confirmed as of yesterday - the lowest number since March 25. Hancock said it showed a continued downward progress. There are 606 people on mechanical ventilators, the lowest since March. The latest figures were issued this afternoon and include deaths in...
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US police in New Jersey kneel for George Floyd
1Jun By Sumon AdminNo Comments
America, Featured

US police in New Jersey kneel for George Floyd

    Police officers in one of New Jersey's largest and most violent cities were praised on social media for marching alongside protesters in rallies held this weekend over George Floyd's death. Camden County Police Chief Joe Wysocki, who has been working in the city for decades, joined the front line of a march in Camden on Saturday afternoon, sporting his uniform, a protective face mask and a peace sign. ”Yesterday was another example of our ongoing engagement, and a very real dialogue, that we are having with residents throughout Camden that has made our agency part of the fabric of this city," Wysocki said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press. Since Camden's police force disbanded and reformed in 2013 as a county agency, officers there have been hyper-foc...
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Cummings is on his last chance
31May By Sumon AdminNo Comments
Featured, United Kingdom

Cummings is on his last chance

    Boris Johnson has delivered an ultimatum to Dominic Cummings over his lockdown trip to Durham, according to reports. The Prime Minister warned his chief aide he is on his last chance and that he will not tolerate another mistake, the Mail on Sunday reports. Mr Cummings who sparked huge public backlash after making a 264-mile trip to Durham with his wife and son while ill with coronavirus symptoms in March has reportedly been firmly told to stay out of the public eye. No10 sources say the top aide will no longer be allowed to make media appearances or write blog posts. One told the paper: The Prime Minister has made it absolutely clear that Dominic cannot be the story again. He will not tolerate it. If it happens again, he’s out. Another Downing Street official say...
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Govt told to scrap 14-day quarantine
30May By Sumon AdminNo Comments
Featured, United Kingdom

Govt told to scrap 14-day quarantine

    The Government has been told to scrap its mandatory 14-day quarantine for UK arrivals amid fears it will be unenforceable. New arrivals will simply be trusted to follow the new coronavirus rules and could bypass the restrictions through multiple loopholes, insiders have warned. The intervention comes as criticism mounts from aviation chiefs and MPs, with Boris Johnson’s former adviser warning it hangs the closed sign on Britain. From June 8, travellers arriving in UK airports and sea ports will have to self-isolate for two weeks or face a £1,000 fine - but freight workers and Ireland arrivals are thought to be exempt. But fears have grown that the quarantine will simply be ignored if adherence to the rules is taken largely on trust. I don’t think it’ll be enforce...
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How lockdown changes on June 1
29May By Sumon AdminNo Comments
Featured, United Kingdom

How lockdown changes on June 1

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a "cautious" easing of lockdown in England, but what has actually changed? The main change to the rules means small social gatherings are now permitted, but Mr Johnson also confirmed alterations regarding schools and retail businesses at the Downing Street press conference on Thursday. The Prime Minister confirmed that all five tests required for the next phase of restrictions to begin have been met, meaning more pupils can return to school and outdoor retail and car showrooms can open from Monday in England. Mr Johnson outlined that people would be able to see "both parents at once, or both grandparents at once" in what he said would be a "long-awaited and joyful moment" for many. England's primary schools will widen the...
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