GLOBAL COVID-19 TODAY
CORONAVIRUS CASES: 15,656,884
DEATHS: 636,576
RECOVERED: 9,544,766
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New face-covering rules come into force in England today, fines of £100 for those who do not comply
BBC News says face-coverings are now compulsory in shops in England after coronavirus rules came into force within 12 hours of the government issuing guidance on change.
Coverings are now mandatory in enclosed public spaces such as supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, transport hubs, banks and takeaways. Fines of up to £100 can be issued by police to those who do not comply.
But some retailers have insisted they will not enforce the rule.
Read the full story on BBC News
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Red Cross warns of big post-Covid-19 migration
The Guardian says the coronavirus crisis could spark huge waves of fresh migration once borders reopen, the head of the Red Cross has warned. It comes as the WHO’s chief accused the US of making “untrue” and “unacceptable” claims against the global health body.
The head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRA), Japan Chapagain, said he was deeply concerned about the secondary effects of the pandemic, as border closure and Covid-19 restrictions have driven millions into poverty.
Read the full story on The Guardian
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‘Intensifying’ rise in France Covid-19 cases as death toll also edges up
France24 says France’s public health authority said on Thursday there had been a significant rise in confirmed new cases of people suffering from Covid-19, as the number of deaths in the country edged up.
The number of deaths in France from coronavirus rose by 10 from the previous day to 30,182 – the sixth-highest death toll in the world.
The number of confirmed new cases rose by 1,000, a 66 per cent increase in three weeks, as people adhered less to social distancing measures and increased testing led to the discovery of new clusters in parts of the country.
Read the full story on France24
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Saudis celebrating Eid urged to maintain safety measures
Arab News says Saudi healths officials on Thursday urged Muslims celebrating Eid Al-Adha not to drop their guard in sticking to safety measures aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus virus.
“During this blessed occasion (Eid Al-Adha), there will be several opportunities during gatherings and activities for all of us to connect, but that connection needs to be mindful of social distancing,” said a ministry spokesman.
Read the full story on Arab News
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Trump cancels Flordia convention as coronavirus cases spike
Aljazeera news President Trump scrapped plans for a four-night Republican National Convention celebration in Jacksonville, Florida, that had been set to draw more than 10,000 people to a pandemic hot spot to mark his renomination.
“The timing for this event is not right,” Trump said at a news briefing. “It’s just not right with what’s happened recently, the flare-up in Florida. To have a big convention it’s not the right time.”
Read the full story on Aljazeera
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Australian Defence Force to assist with contact tracing in Victoria as 300 new cases are reported
CNN says a total of 300 new coronavirus cases have been detected in the Australian state of Victoria. Of the 300 cases, only 51 are from a known source with connections to previous cases.
Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters that health authorities had struggled to conduct contact tracing interviews with around 25% of people who had tested positive, as they were unable to contact them.
Read the full story on CNN
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ARTS & ENT
Sir Elton John in £3m court battle as ex-wife accuses him of breaching contract
Sky News says Sir Elton John’s ex-wife is suing him for £3m over claims he broke a legal agreement not to talk about their marriage.
Renate Blauel’s four-year marriage to the star was referenced in Sir Elton’s 2019 memoir Me and the hit movie Rocketman, as well as an Instagram post.
Read the full story on Sky News
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SPORT
Archer has X factor every team needs, says Braithwaite
BBC Sport says England pace bowler Jofra Archer has the “X-Factor” that every successful team needs, former West Indies Twenty20 captain Carlos Brathwaite says.
Brathwaite told BBC Radio 5 Live that teams are lifted by personalities who “don’t play by the rules”.
Archer was dropped for the second test against the Windies for breaking Covid-19 protocols but has been recalled.
Read the full story on BBC Sport
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