Plus, images of life under lockdown
| 'Rule of six' comes into force |
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| | | Social gatherings of more than six people have become illegal in England as the government attempts to halt a rise in coronavirus cases. Versions of the "rule of six" - explained in detail - are now in place right across the UK and were designed to provide clarity on what is and isn't allowed. However, there are significant differences between nations. It applies indoors and out in England and Scotland, but not in Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland and Wales, children under 11 and 12, respectively, are exempt. There's disquiet among some Conservative MPs about the new restrictions, and unhappiness among some larger families who question why they cannot gather but schools, workplaces and organised team sports are permitted to continue as before. Here we answer your questions. Police have the power to enforce the rules with fines, but West Yorkshire Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, warned forces are so stretched it's unrealistic to rely on them alone. The government says Covid marshals will be introduced in city centres, but councils argue they need help to pay for them. The new rules come as the UK's R number has risen to between 1 and 1.2 for the first time since March. That means the epidemic is growing. Globally, a daily record of infections has been set. The World Health Organization has reported more than 307,000 new cases over 24 hours - with the biggest rises in India, the US and Brazil. | |
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| Boris Johnson's former Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox, has joined the chorus of voices criticising the government's attempts to override the Brexit withdrawal agreement. Mr Cox, who backed Brexit and was the PM's top legal adviser when the agreement was drawn up, told the Times the country's honour, credibility and self-respect rested on keeping its word. Ministers have admitted the Internal Market Bill will break international law, but insist it's necessary. When Mr Johnson negotiated the deal last year he agreed Northern Ireland would have to follow some EU customs rules, but now he says Britain must be allowed to unilaterally decide how those work. MPs will debate the bill on Monday and have the opportunity to put it to a vote. Some Tories are proposing a compromise which would give Parliament the final say on whether Britain can go back on a deal it's already signed. BBC chief political correspondent Vicky Young says Downing Street won't have been surprised by the outrage its actions have provoked, but some ministers are concerned this is a gamble which could have serious consequences. | |
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| Drivers who kill others while speeding, racing or using a mobile phone could receive life sentences under new legislation, along with those who cause death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs. The current maximum is 14 years. A new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving is also being proposed - at present such actions are punishable only with a fine. The changes would apply in England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland. They are part of major sentencing reforms being announced in a White Paper this week, which could also see teenage killers ordered to serve whole life prison terms. | |
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| | | | | In a tragedy reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, a couple in Nigeria killed themselves earlier this month after their parents had forbidden them from marrying because one of them was a descendant of slaves. "They're saying we can't get married... all because of an ancient belief," the note they left behind said. The lovers, who were in their early thirties, hailed from Okija in south-eastern Anambra state, where slavery was officially abolished in the early 1900s. | |
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| | Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani | Nigeria | |
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| | | | Stories on Brexit and coronavirus occupy most of Monday's front pages. The Times describes the intervention of Geoffrey Cox as a "devastating attack" on the PM's withdrawal agreement plan which will "heighten unease" among Tory MPs. The Daily Telegraph says it understands Boris Johnson spoke to Mr Cox three times over the weekend to try to win his support. On the pandemic, the Daily Mail leads with what it calls "shocking figures" showing the "devastating" impact of lockdown on the nation's health. It's worried about falls in hospital admissions for cancer, heart attacks and other conditions such as diabetes. The Daily Express says Britain's biggest cancer charity, Cancer Research UK, could lose more than a third of its 4,000 researchers because of a Covid-related "funding crisis". Elsewhere, the Sun welcomes news of tougher sentences for driving offences, arguing it makes "complete sense" to keep reckless motorists off the road for good. But the Guardian quotes Francis Crook, from the Howard League for Penal Reform, who believes the government is abandoning the principle of redemption for the sake of a few favourable headlines. | |
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| | | | | TikTok Owners of video-sharing app reject Microsoft bid at eleventh hour |
| | | | GPs NHS tells practices they must offer face-to-face appointments |
| | | | Hold Still Beautiful images of life under lockdown |
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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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