Tuesday, 1 September
- Portugal may go back on UK’s quarantine list as Covid-19 cases pass threshold.
- UK’s Covid-19 response could result in 50,000 unnecessary deaths, former scientific adviser says.
- Hong Kong launches mass Covid-19 test, undermined by mistrust of China.
- EU offers 400 million euros to WHO-led Covid-19 vaccine initiative.
- Community radio leads rural India’s battle.
- Twitter removes tweet that President Trump retweeted about CDC data on causes of Covid-19 deaths.
Portugal may go back on UK’s quarantine list as Covid-19 cases pass threshold
The Guardian says British travellers may have to quarantine when returning from Portugal amid a rise in Covid-19 cases to levels considered dangerous – just over a week after Portugal was added to the UK’s safe travel list.
There were 21.1 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in Portugal in the seven days to 30 August, up from 19.4 in the seven days to 29 August.
Read the full story on The Guardian
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UK’s Covid-19 response could result in 50,000 unnecessary deaths, former scientific adviser says
The Independent says the UK is facing up to 50,000 deaths because Boris Johnson’s government “consciously allowed” coronavirus to spread, a former chief scientific adviser said.
Sir David King said the official response to the pandemic was a “complete cock-up by the government” driven in part by a desire to maintain secrecy around the scientific advice it was receiving.
Read the full story on The Independent
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Hong Kong launches mass Covid-19 test, undermined by mistrust of China
France24 says Hong Kong launched a mass coronavirus testing scheme on Tuesday but calls for millions to take up the offer have been undermined by a deep distrust of the government following China’s crushing of the city’s democracy movement.
The voluntary tests are part of an attempt to end a third-wave of infections that began late June and saw the densely populated city reimpose economically painful social distancing measures.
Read the full story on France24
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EU offers 400 million euros to WHO-led Covid-19 vaccine initiative
Aljazeera says the European Commission has said that it would contribute to an initiative led by the WHO to buy Covid-19 vaccines, while the WHO said Germany had joined the pact and that the agency was still negotiating with the bloc.
The Commission, announcing it would provide 400 million euros in guarantees, did not clarify whether EU states would acquire shots through the WHO scheme.
Read the full story on Aljazeera
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Community radio leads rural India’s Covid-19 battle
Arab News says Radio Mewat is among more than 300 community radio stations across India that have helped people – particularly rural populations – survive the pandemic through special broadcasts.
“Men have been spending longer hours at home since the beginning of the pandemic. For many families, this results in an increase in domestic violence,” says reporter Farheen Khan.
Read the full story on Arab News
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Twitter removes tweet that President Trump retweeted about CDC data on causes of Covid-19 deaths
CBS News says Twitter removed a tweet shared by President Trump that contained false information about Covid-19 statistics from the CDC, with Twitter saying it violated its rules.
The tweet which was retweeted by Trump claims the CDC “quietly updated the Covid number” to show a small fraction of all deaths – 6% – from the coronavirus were “actually” a result of Covid-19. The vast majority of deaths – the post claimed- were because of “other serious illnesses.”
Read the full story on CBS News
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A quick look at the other headlines
Trump defends supporters accused in deadly clashes
BBC News says Donald Trump has defended supporters of his for their alleged roles in recent deadly street clashes.
He suggested a teen accused of killing two in Wisconsin last week and Trump fans involved in clashes in Oregon on Saturday were acting in self-defence.
Hungary borders closure draws criticism from Brussels
Euronews says Hungary’s decision to re-introduce an entry ban on all foreigners from September 1, has ruffled feathers in Brussels.
Hungary will close its borders to non-residents from Tuesday to try and curb the increasing number of coronavirus cases.
Hotel Rwanda hero arrested for terrorism
Africanews says Paul Rusesabagina, in handcuffs before the Rwandan press in Kigali capital on Monday.
The official police statement, “Through international cooperation, the Rwanda Bureau of Investigation wants to inform the general public that Paul Rusesabagina has been arrested.”
Saudi King sacks Commander of Yemen forces over corruption claims
Aljazeera says Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has sacked two royals over corruption allegations and referred them to the anti-graft watchdog for an investigation, according to state media.
In a royal decree issued early on Tuesday, King Salman removed Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as commander of joint forces in the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, and relieved his son Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd of his post as deputy governor of al-Jouf region.
Largest fraction of Japan’s ruling party backs Suga in leadership race
CNA says Japan’s top government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, has won the backing of the largest faction of the ruling party to become its next leader, public broadcaster NHK reported on Tuesday, making him a strong front-runner to become the next premier.
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary and a long-time lieutenant of outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Suga is widely expected to stay the policy course set out by Abe, including the “Abenomics” strategy aimed at reviving the economy and keeping it afloat amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
