Tuesday 20 October
- UK to start rapid Covid-19 tests at Heathrow on Tuesday.
- Noon deadline approaches for Manchester coronavirus deal.
- Argentina’s Covid-19 cases surpass 1 million as spike strains health system.
- Gym seeks to dodge Poland’s new Covid-19 lockdown by rebranding as ‘Church of the Healthy Body’.
- India at heart of global efforts to produce Covid vaccine.
- Saudi health minister promises to procure tested vaccine.
UK to start rapid Covid-19 tests at Heathrow on Tuesday: Report
Aljazeera says passengers travelling to Hong Kong and Italy from Heathrow Airport will undergo a one-hour coronavirus test before flying out of the UK under plans to open up international travel, The Times newspaper reported on Tuesday.
Rapid tests will be introduced from Tuesday at Heathrow Airport in London to allow travellers to enter countries where a negative Covid-19 test result is needed to avoid a lengthy quarantine, the newspaper said.
Read the full story on Aljazeera
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Noon deadline approaches for Manchester coronavirus deal
BBC News says Greater Manchester leaders have been given a deadline of midday to reach a deal with the government over moving to tier three Covid restrictions.
If an agreement is not reached, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said he would advise the PM, who would decide on the next steps.
In this situation, the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg said the “implication” was the top tier of rules would be imposed.
Read the full story on BBC News
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Argentina’s Covid-19 cases surpass 1 million as spike strains health system
France24 says Argentina has become the fifth country with more than 1 million coronavirus cases, its Health Ministry confirmed on Monday, making it the smallest nation to reach the grim milestone after infections accelerated in recent weeks.
There were 1,002,662 confirmed cases of the virus in the South American country by Monday night, the ministry said in a statement. In the past 24 hours, there were 12,982 new cases reported and 451 deaths, it said.
Read the full story on France24
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Gym seeks to dodge Poland’s new Covid-19 lockdown by rebranding as ‘Church of the Healthy Body’
RT News says with the government in Warsaw imposing strict lockdown measures on almost 70 per cent of Poland’s population, a gym in Krakow has found a way to operate, albeit in a severely limited capacity – by declaring itself a church.
“Since fitness classes cannot function, starting today our club will start hosting religious gatherings of the ‘Church of the Healthy Body’,” Marta Jamroz, manager of the Atlantic Sports Fitness in Poland’s second-largest city, wrote on Facebook over the weekend.
Read the full story on RT News
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India at heart of global efforts to produce Covid vaccine
The Guardian says as the largest global supplier of drugs and producer of 60% of the world’s vaccines, India has long been known as the “pharmacy of the world”.
The country is playing an increasingly strategic and central role in the development, manufacturing – and, crucially, possible future distribution – of several possible Covid shots.
Read the full story on The Guardian
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Saudi health minister promises to procure tested vaccine
Arab News says Saudi Health Minister Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah on Monday said the Kingdom will procure vaccine for the coronavirus once it is confirmed to be safe and effective.
He said research on the vaccine is underway in a number of countries and the Saudi health authorities are following the developments.
Read the full story on Arab News
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A quick look at the other top stories
Trump closes his campaign by insulting Fauci for telling the truth
CNN says President Trump’s election endgame argument, far from bristling with new solutions to a pandemic that has killed 220,000 Americans, on Monday devolved into a campaign of insults against Dr. Anthony Fauci — for telling the truth about the disease.
Lithuanians with coronavirus vote at drive-in polling stations
Euronews says Lithuania has introduced COVID-19-friendly voting booths as citizens head to the polls for the second round of national elections.
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Italy sees another record hike in daily Covid-19 cases – latest updates
Italy has registered 11,705 new infections over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said, up from the previous record of 10,925 posted on Saturday.
There were also 69 deaths, up from 47 the day before, the ministry said — far fewer than at the height of the pandemic in Italy in March and April, when daily fatalities peaked at more than 900.
French NGOs take Twitter to court for failing to moderate hate speech
Four French NGOs – SOS Racisme, SOS Homophobie, the Union of Jewish Students of France and J’accuse – filed suit against Twitter on May 11. A Paris court began hearing the case on Monday before postponing further hearings until December 1; Twitter and the NGOs have agreed to take part in mediation ahead of the next session.
Guinea opposition candidate claims victory before official results
France24 says Guinea opposition candidate Cellou Dalein Diallo said on Monday he had won the first round of the October presidential election, but his claim was quickly disputed by the electoral commission and the government, setting the stage for a stand-off.
Coronavirus: Top Palestinian official Saeb Erekat in ‘critical’ condition
BBC News says senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat is in a critical condition with Covid-19 and has been placed on a ventilator, the Israeli hospital treating him says.
On Sunday, the 65-year-old was rushed to the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem from his home in Jericho, in the occupied West Bank.
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Israel and Bahrain peace deal; Formalise diplomatic ties following Trump-brokered deal
Israel and Bahrain peace deal is confirmed as both parties signed a joint communique to formalise nascent ties at a ceremony in Manama on Sunday as the wealthy Gulf region continues to open up to the Jewish state.
The UAE and Bahrain – both allies of Saudi Arabia – have shared with Israel worries over Iran, leading to unofficial contacts in the past. And now have formalised a peace deal, becoming only the fourth Arab nation to do so.
Taiwan says it won’t be intimidated by China’s ‘hooligan’ diplomats
CNA says Taiwan will not be intimidated by China’s “hooligan” officials and will continue to celebrate its national day around the world, the government said on Tuesday, after Taiwan said Chinese diplomats had tried to charge into a diplomatic event in Fiji.
Cultura & Sport
sports news
arts & ent
Jamie Carragher says Dayot Upamecano should be Liverpool’s target in January
The loss of Virgil van Dijk makes Manchester City favourites for the Premier League title but Liverpool can still win it – especially if they move early to bring in a new centre-back such as RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano for the start of January, says Jamie Carragher.
Virgil van Dijk’s cruciate ligament injury could see Premier League champions Liverpool FC without their best defender until the spring. It raises questions about whether Jurgen Klopp’s side is capable of retaining the title.
Read the full story on Sky Sports
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Jos Buttler stars as Rajasthan Royals beat Chennai Super Kings
Jos Buttler made a brilliant unbeaten 70 from 48 balls as Rajasthan Royals beat Chennai Super Kings by seven wickets in the Indian Premier League.
England batsman Buttler, who came in at 28-3 in pursuit of 126 in Dubai, hit seven fours and two sixes to seal victory with 15 deliveries to spare.
He added an unbroken 100 with Steve Smith, who scored 26 off 34 balls.
Read the full story on BBC Sport
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