Plus, echoes of 1989 as foreign forces leave Afghanistan
| New school rules to replace England's bubbles |
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| | | The "bubble" system was designed to stop coronavirus spreading through schools. But it has meant missed lessons for pupils - with 375,000 children sent home last week - and frustration for parents juggling work and childcare. Of those pupils forced to stay off last month, only about 4% were confirmed cases. Most were confined to home because of a potential contact at school. Today, the education secretary will outline a replacement for the system. "Obviously the way forward is with testing," said Prime Minister Boris Johnson, when promising to "greatly reduce the impact on schools of Covid outbreaks". He faces a backlash after announcing his intention to ditch rules on wearing face masks, alongside plans to reopen nightclubs, end all legal limits on the number of people attending events and scrap work-from-home guidance in England. Labour, trade unions and some scientists say it's not the time to change the rules on masks, as case numbers continue to rise rapidly. Our health correspondent Nick Triggle says while there is intense debate about lifting restrictions, it's definitely time to think differently about Covid. | |
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| Germany lifts ban on UK tourists |
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| With plans to end restrictions in England confirmed, there are signs Britons could soon enjoy a little more freedom abroad. Germany is lifting a ban on people travelling from the UK, imposed because of the Delta variant's spread, with fully vaccinated visitors not required to quarantine. Others will still be required to quarantine for 10 days, although this can be reduced with a negative test on the fifth day. The UK government is also expected to announce plans to allow fully-vaccinated British people to travel to countries classed as "amber", in the UK's traffic-light system, without having to quarantine on their return. | |
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| Superman director Richard Donner dies |
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| Hollywood is paying tribute to Richard Donner, who has died at the age of 91. He's regarded by many as the creator of the first modern superhero film, in 1978's Superman. Having gained TV credits including anthology series The Twilight Zone and spy thriller The Man From Uncle, Donner got his break in films with The Omen, in 1976. He went on to direct children's cult classic The Goonies and the Lethal Weapon franchise. As Steven Spielberg, who came up with the story for The Goonies, told Variety: "Being in his circle was akin to hanging out with your favourite coach, smartest professor, fiercest motivator, most endearing friend, staunchest ally, and - of course - the greatest Goonie of all." | |
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| | | | | The "final warning" on fine notepaper was delivered to me in the depth of a harsh Kabul winter at the peak of a Cold War conflict. "I must advise you that you should leave Afghanistan without delay while normal flights are still available," advised the British chargé d'affaires. Eleven days later, on a snowy 30 January 1989, we watched the US chargé d'affaires solemnly lower the stars and stripes in a simple ceremony freighted with political meaning. The last Soviet troops were pulling out within weeks, ending their disastrous decade-long Afghan engagement... Now, as a nearly 20-year Nato military mission ends with the exit of foreign troops, the question of staying or going is back at the top of the envoys' agenda. This time, in a sign of the times, it was a tweet from the embassy that urged all British nationals to leave "as soon as possible". | |
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| | Lyse Doucet | Chief international correspondent | |
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| | | | "It's now or never," says the Daily Mail's headline, quoting Boris Johnson's explanation that further delay to the removal of restrictions in England enforcing masks and social distancing would run the risk of trying to reopen in autumn or winter when "the virus has an edge". Seizing on the same phrase for its headline, the Daily Telegraph says the prime minister suggested Britain might not return to normality if it did not seize the opportunity now. However, the Financial Times says he admitted restrictions might have to be reimposed in the winter. The Guardian calls the move a gamble in its headline, while the Metro's reads: "Boris rolls the dice". For the Daily Mirror, the PM is "masking for trouble". Read the review. | |
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| | | Jobs Vauxhall to build electric vans, safeguarding factory |
| | | | Elsa Cuba reels as tropical storm approaches Florida |
| | | | Covid Australian Grand Prix and Moto GP rounds called off |
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| If you watch one thing today |
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| If you listen to one thing today |
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| If you read one thing today |
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| Need something different? |
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| BAFTA has announced 51 finalists in its Young Game Designer of the year competition and some are incorporating serious issues into their concepts. Meanwhile, buskers are live streaming on social media to amplify their music beyond the echoing corners of town squares. We hear from one singer performing to 30 people in Leeds... and tens of thousands on TikTok. | |
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| | | 1988 A series of explosions destroys the Piper Alpha offshore oil and gas platform, in the North Sea, resulting in the loss of 167 people. See our archive report. |
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