#Coronavirus Covid-19 Reported Cases.

A fire in a trailer containing resin broke out in Worthing. West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to the blaze in Gaisford Road at 5.35pm this evening (Wednesday). A WSFRS spokesperson said, “The fire was in a trailer that contained resin. One fire crew attended from Worthing. We left the scene shortly after 6.20pm.”

The UK has updated its advice against all non-essential travel to Spain to include the Balearic and Canary Islands following a rise in coronavirus cases. Foreign Office guidance was changed on Monday to include both mainland Spain and islands such as Ibiza and Tenerife. Holiday firm Jet2 has told passengers not to go to the airport after it cancelled flights to all Spanish destinations. The change is in addition to the self-isolation policy that began on Sunday. The amended advice came after calls for clarity from travel companies and as airlines announced sweeping flight cancellations. Jet2 said it will not be operating flights to Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza, or to mainland Spain, but will be running a schedule of flights back from those destinations on Tuesday. Travellers returning to the UK from anywhere in Spain must now self-isolate for 14 days at a registered address. Holiday firm Jet2 has cancelled flights to the Balearic and Canary Islands A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We have considered the overall situation for British nationals travelling to and from the Balearic and Canary Islands, including the impact of the requirement to self-isolate on return to the UK, and concluded that we should advise British nationals against all non-essential travel to the whole of Spain." Speaking earlier, Boris Johnson's official spokesman warned "no travel is risk-free during this pandemic". The rate of infection in Spain is 35.1 cases per 100,000 people, while the UK is at 14.7, according to the latest figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Data up to 19 July suggested there were lower rates of infection in the Balearic and Canary Islands than in mainland Spain. Meanwhile, a government source told the BBC that the Spanish government was lobbying for the Balearic and Canary Islands to be exempt from the quarantine policy, and that discussions on the matter had taken place. Spain rushes to save tourism as cases surge What are the UK travel quarantine rules? Spain travel rules: What are my rights? Among the thousands of British holidaymakers affected by the change to quarantine rules was Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who flew to Spain on Saturday despite knowing a decision on the policy was due. Mr Shapps said in a statement he would return to the UK this week in order to complete his quarantine and would return to work as soon as possible. And Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said he cancelled a holiday to the Balearics after the change to quarantine rules was announced on Saturday. Holiday operator Tui said it would cancel all its packages to the Balearic and Canary Islands until 31 July and to mainland Spain until 9 August. EasyJet, British Airways, and Ryanair said they would continue to operate full schedules of flights to Spain, though EasyJet said its holidays would be cancelled for the next few weeks. The UK imposed the restriction over the weekend after a spike in infections in some Spanish regions, including Catalonia, where Barcelona is located, and Aragon. The French government has told its nationals to stay away from Catalonia, while Norway has imposed a new 10-day quarantine on all travellers arriving from Spain. It comes as a further seven people with coronavirus were reported to have died across all settings in the UK, according to latest government figures - bringing the UK's death toll to 45,759. The government also said in the 24-hour period up to 09:00 BST on Monday, there had been a further 685 lab-confirmed cases. The UK's total is 300,111.

Sussex Police said officers were called to Shelley Road just after 1pm yesterday (August 11) to reports of a man indecently exposing himself. The man, 41-year-old David McFarlane, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with the act of outraging public decency. He was remanded in custody and was due to appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court today (August 12).

Flooding For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Screen grab from BBC Scotland showing smoke billowing from the train on the track in the countryside near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire . Emergency services are at the scene after a train derailed in Aberdeenshire. At least one person has died after the train derailment in Aberdeenshire according to unconfirmed reports, sources told the PA news agency. Emergency services responded to the incident, which occurred on Wednesday morning on the line at Stonehaven, north-east Scotland. Pictures posted from the area show at least six ambulance vehicles, an air ambulance and a number of police response cars on hand and smoke billowing behind them in the background. Labour leader says thoughts are with everyone involved Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour party, said: "My thoughts are with everyone involved in the serious incident in Aberdeenshire. "Thank you to all the emergency services." Fears of second fatality, sources say The driver of a train which derailed in Aberdeenshire is believed to have died and there are fears of a second fatality, sources told the PA news agency. Nicola Sturgeon says there are early reports of serious injuries after train derailed Rail expert says 9 people on board train Richard Clinnick, the head of news at RAIL magazine, has said that 3 crew members and 9 passengers were on board the train that derailed earlier on Wednesday. In a tweet, Mr Clinnick added that at least one passenger carriage was on fire following the incident. The train that derailed was the 6.38am departure from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street, according to an internet forum called RailUK Forums. Incident log suggests 3 crew members and 6 passengers on board. At least one Mk 3 was on fire. — Richard Clinnick (@Richard_rail) August 12, 2020 Sturgeon says her thoughts are with those involved in incident Nicola Sturgeon has tweeted that her thoughts are with those affected by the train derailment west of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire. Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Conservative leader in Holyrood, also added her party's sympathies with those involved. She said: "May I add the thoughts of my party to those already been expressed regarding the incident in Stonehaven today. "It is clear that this incident is serious and it will have affected a number of families across Scotland. "We think of them at this time and also those emergency workers who are currently in attendance." Here is a tweet from Nicola Sturgeon #WCN Flooding in Stonehaven in north-east Scotland, where a nearby train derailed on the morning of 12 August, 2020. 'One dead' in incident Sturgeon describes as 'extremely serious' At least one person is feared to have died after a train derailed west of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, sources have told the PA news agency. Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier described the derailment which occurred on Wednesday morning as an "extremely serious incident". Ms Sturgeon confirmed early reports that the incident had caused serious injuries. WCN

#WCN Sleep paralysis is when you cannot move or speak as you are waking up or falling asleep. It can be scary but it's harmless and most people will only get it once or twice in their life. What happens during sleep paralysis During sleep paralysis you may feel: awake but cannot move, speak or open your eyes like someone is in your room like something is pushing you down frightened These feelings can last up to several minutes. Causes of sleep paralysis Sleep paralysis happens when you cannot move your muscles as you are waking up or falling asleep. This is because you are in sleep mode but your brain is active. It's not clear why sleep paralysis can happen but it has been linked with: insomnia disrupted sleeping patterns – for example, because of shift work or jet lag narcolepsy – a long-term condition that causes a person to suddenly fall asleep post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) general anxiety disorder panic disorder a family history of sleep paralysis Things you can do to help prevent sleep paralysis Do try to regularly get 6 to 8 hours of sleep a day go to bed at roughly the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning get regular exercise, but not in the 4 hours before going to bed Don't do not eat a big meal, smoke, or drink alcohol or caffeine shortly before going to bed do not sleep on your back – this can make sleep paralysis more likely to happen Non-urgent advice:See a GP if: You often have sleep paralysis and you feel: very anxious or scared to go to sleep tired all the time due to lack of sleep Information:Coronavirus update: how to contact a GP It's still important to get help from a GP if you need it. To contact your GP surgery: visit their website use the NHS App call them Find out about using the NHS during coronavirus Treating sleep paralysis A GP may be able to treat an underlying condition that could be triggering sleep paralysis such as insomnia or post-traumatic stress disorder. If this does not help they might refer you to a doctor who specialises in sleep conditions. Treatment from a specialist You might be given medicine usually used to treat depression. Taking this type of medicine at a lower dose can also help with sleep paralysis. You might also be referred for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Supt Ifan Charles with Ciaran Phillips, Tom Williams and Morgan Discombe-HughesA student has been praised by police for his bravery after rescuing a man who fell off rocks into the sea. Tom Williams ran into the sea at Llanelli beach while his two friends called for help. The man, who had hit his head, regained consciousness and then made his way back into the water before being talked out again. Dyfed-Powys Police said Mr Williams and his friends' actions "deserve the utmost praise". The Bangor University marine biology and oceanology student said: "We were just sitting on the beach when we saw this guy walking across the rocks. We thought it was a strange place to be walking, then all of a sudden he fell. "I ran over to check if he was ok, and he was unconscious with his head in the water. I managed to lift him out and turn him onto his back so I could make sure he wasn't bleeding." However, within minutes the man had made his way back to the water. Mr Williams started talking to him in a bid to coax him to safety, while his friends called 999 for help. 'Quite frantic' "I managed to talk him out of the water," said Mr Williams, from Felinfoel, Carmarthenshire. "He came and sat next to me, and I was just talking to him about normal things - anything that came to mind. I'm not sure what I was thinking, I just knew I needed to do something. "At first he was quite frantic, and he was obviously stressed, but then his whole mindset changed. He seemed to change completely - he looked out at the sea and said how nice the view was. That's when I knew he was ok." Supt Ifan Charles said: "There's no doubt that this group of friends saved a man's life, and I would like to offer my sincere thanks for their help on that evening." The incident happened on 23 June.

Locals in Mauritius are doing all they can to try and contain oil that a ship spilled into the sea. The MV Wakashio was carrying around 4,000 tonnes of fuel oil and ran aground on a coral reef off the Indian Ocean island on 25 July. Now local people are scrambling together to try and contain the damage. They're using absorbent barriers of straw stuffed into fabric sacks, and tubes made out of tights and hair Mauritius is famous for its coral reefs and people travel from all around the world to see them. If the oil keeps spilling into the sea, it will destroy the reefs and the sea creatures - so the locals have been doing everything they can to help stop it. Diving centres, fishermen and others have all joined in the cleanup effort, with some providing sandwiches, guesthouses offering accommodation to volunteers and hair salons offering discounts to those donating hair. It is thought that 1,000 tonnes of oil has already got into the water surrounding the boat carrying the oil and Environmentalists are concerned about the impact on the country's ecosystem. On Friday, Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth declared a state of emergency and appealed for help. PM: Pravid Jugnauth Re-tweeted this WCN

Puberty is a dreadful experience for all of us at one point whether you are 9-14 or even 6-14! Puberty seems as if you are no longer you. This is what a Doctor has said "parents need to tell there teens 10-19 the following You may not really know your Sexuality no matter how confident you feel Kids should know the following about puberty: Girls become more rounded, especially in the hips and legs. Girls' breasts begin to swell and then grow, sometimes one faster than the other Girls and boys get pubic hair and underarm hair, and their leg hair becomes thicker and darker. Both girls and boys often get acne and start to sweat more. Both girls and boys have a growth spurt. Boys' penises and testicles grow larger. Boys' voices change and become deeper. Boys grow facial hair and their muscles get bigger. Boys sometimes have wet dreams, which means they ejaculate in their sleep. When a girl begins menstruating, once a month, her uterine lining fills with blood in preparation for a fertilized egg. If the egg isn't fertilized, she will have a period. If it is fertilized, she will become pregnant. A girl's period may last 3 days to a week, and she can use sanitary napkins (pads) or tampons to absorb the blood. Common Questions Not surprisingly, kids usually have lots of questions as they learn about puberty. It's important to make sure you give your child the time and opportunity to ask questions — and answer them as honestly and thoroughly as possible." Here is a Post from us on Facebook from News Reporter: Dwayne Hards This post from our Facebook Page is from News Reporter Dwayne Hards that has pointed out that we must all face puberty at some point and those that say otherwise or poke there nose in are "Pokey Nose", and they can go and suit themselves. Here is an article WCN has embedded from the NHS on what Puberty is Article Embed Credit: NHS Puberty hits everyone 99.9.9.9.9% of people in the world 0.06% of people have health conditions that delay or prevent puberty and hormones effecting them, but they aren`t the lucky ones as they are generally very poorly from birth. Puberty is difficult and scary as you change from a Child- Adolescent- Adult. Did you know that a 3 year old hit puberty? Article Embed Credit: Daily Mail WCN

OneWeb has a factory in Florida with the capacity produce two satellites a day MPs have launched an inquiry into the government's $500m (£400m) investment in bankrupt satellite firm OneWeb, amid disclosure that a top civil servant warned that taxpayers could lose out. The government took a stake in the satellite broadband company as part of a post-Brexit space strategy. It emerged on Wednesday that an acting permanent secretary raised concerns, warning that the deal was "unusual". Parliament's business committee chief Darren Jones called the deal a gamble. Mr Jones, chairman of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, said in a statement that news of the permanent secretary's worries "heightens concerns around this investment" and "prompts further questions about how the government… came to plump for this largely US-based bankrupt satellite company". He went on to say that "using nearly half a billion pounds of taxpayer money to gamble on a 'commercial opportunity' whilst still failing to support manufacturing jobs with a sector deal is both troubling and concerning." OneWeb is creating a satellite network to support broadband and GPS services. But the firm collapsed in March, blaming the Covid crisis for not being able to raise more financial support. Earlier this month, a joint offer from the UK government and India's Bharti Global mobile operator won a bidding war for the firm. But it was disclosed on Wednesday that Sam Beckett, the top civil servant in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), said all the money put forward could be lost. "While in one scenario we could get a 20% return, the central case is marginal and there are significant downside risks, including that venture capital investments of this sort can fail, with the consequence that all the value of the equity can be lost," she wrote. The comments were part of a letter for "ministerial direction", an avenue for civil servants to register a stronger than usual opinion. Ministers are obliged to formally overrule the official's objections to instruct the spending to go ahead. The contents of the letter must also be made public. Overrode concerns Ms Beckett said that an assessment by the UK Space Agency had identified "substantial technical and operational hurdles" that OneWeb would need to overcome in order to become a "viable and profitable business" and there was a high likelihood that further taxpayer funding would be necessary. However, Business Secretary Alok Sharma overrode Ms Beckett's concerns and the government went ahead with the bid. Mr Sharma said Chancellor Rishi Sunak had agreed to the purchase, and other private sector investors were involved in the bid for OneWeb. OneWeb's largest unsecured creditor is the rocket operator ArianespaceThe government hopes that London-based OneWeb, can take the place of the EU's Galileo programme which the UK when Brexit took effect in January this year. Ms Beckett said: "I completely understand your, the Prime Minister's and the Chancellor's interest in wider benefits such as the potential long-term geopolitical advantages for foreign policy and soft power that would come with sovereign ownership of a fleet of satellites. "Moreover, I do not underestimate the potential opportunity that this investment represents for UK interests globally. "It would be the first mega-constellation operator, if it succeeds, and would have the potential to connect millions of people, in particular those in remote, rural locations without broadband access." However she wrote that she could not be sure that the investment met Whitehall's strict value-for-money requirements and so requested the formal order from Mr Sharma to proceed. OneWeb, which has its headquarters in London and a manufacturing base in Florida, is aiming to complete the construction of a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites. UK takes £400m stake in satellite firm OneWeb UK space company blames coronavirus for collapse The UK government sees satellites as a way to meet commitments on the roll-out of super-fast broadband and believes OneWeb's constellation could also deliver a precise satellite navigation system. Seventy-four satellites in an initial network of 648 had been launched when the company announced it was seeking bankruptcy protection. Most experts believe a further $3bn at least is needed to bring the full constellation into use.

GCSE and A-level results in England will be higher this summer, with exam boards set to be more lenient. Written exams were cancelled because of the pandemic - with pupils' results to be based on predicted outcomes. The watchdog Ofqual says the numbers getting good grades will be 2% higher at A-level and 1% at GCSE. But they will be much lower than the "optimistic" predictions from teachers, which at A-level would have pushed up results 12% higher than last year. The exam regulator says it is also confident, from preliminary results, that there has been no "unconscious bias" in predicted grades that would have disadvantaged ethnic minorities or poorer students. A report from the education select committee this month warned of the risk that some pupils could be discriminated against. But Ofqual says there is no evidence of any widening gaps in this summer's results, in terms of ethnicity, gender or deprivation, compared with years when pupils have taken exams. Exam results could be affected by bias, warn MPs Back-up exams will be available for all subjects in autumn Teachers to grade results for cancelled exams While individual pupils will not find out their GCSEs and A-levels until next month, the process of standardising these predicted grades means that the overall national picture is already emerging. The exam regulator says this will be a more generous year, with candidates more likely to be given the benefit of the doubt. So for instance, last summer 25.5% of candidates achieved an A grade or above at A-level - and this year it will be more like 27.5%. There have been no GCSEs or A-levels this year - with results to be based on estimated grades Ofqual says to expect variations in terms of subject and grades - but overall results will be "slightly better" than the previous year. But teachers, who had to submit predicted grades, would have been much more generous and the exam boards have had to bump down the grades much closer to last year's. At A-level, the predictions for A grades would have pushed up results by 12.3 percentage points - if they had not been knocked back down by the exam boards. For GCSE, results would have jumped upwards by 9 percentage points, based on teachers' predictions. The grades to be given to pupils will be based on a range of evidence - including their previous exam results, the distribution of grades in the school in recent years, how schools ranked their pupils in expected outcomes, as well as their teachers' predictions. But because grades will be linked to schools' performance in previous years, schools that have been rapidly improving will not necessarily see that in this year's results. If pupils are not happy with their results based on predictions, they will be able to take written exams in the autumn. Nansi Ellis of the National Education Union welcomed the "commitment to equalities" in the results so far, in terms of the risk of bias - and that "there appear to be no obvious differences between the grades of different groups of students". Paul Whiteman of the National Association of Head Teachers backed the replacement grades, saying "while not a perfect solution, this is the fairest and most pragmatic alternative to sitting exams".

Some 8 million children in England were sent home from school in March A majority of British children struggled to continue learning at home during the lockdown, a report says. The Office for National Statistics research found that of the 52% who struggled, three-quarters of parents gave a lack of motivation as a reason. The research, based on weekly household surveys between April and June, also found women's well-being was being more adversely affected than that of men. It also showed wide disparities in what families were able to do. The ONS researchers carried out nationally representative surveys of more than 12,000 people in Great Britain between 3 April and 7 June about their experiences of home-schooling during the coronavirus pandemic. 'Not motivated' Schools closed for most pupils at the end of March in England, Wales and Scotland, as the pandemic took hold. Some schools re-opened in England on or around 1 June for some year groups. Perhaps surprisingly, the research found under one in 10 parents complained about lack of devices to work on, although this rate doubled for single-parent households. Coronavirus: 'Home-schooling has been hell' Back-to-office parents need childcare, says Starmer Mums 'do most childcare and chores in lockdown' Providing laptops for disadvantaged children has been a focus of England's government. But Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat education spokesman said the figures still suggested 450,000 young people were struggling to learn due to a lack of technology at home. She said: "These damning figures show thousands of children have struggled to learn from home during lockdown due to a lack of devices. "The government has failed these children and their parents by failing to get a lap top to every pupil who needed one." However, lack of motivation was by far the biggest reason for parents to say their children had found it difficult to carry on with school work. One-in-three women said the situation was negatively affecting their own well-being, compared with one in five men. Some 43% of home-schooling parents said their children's well-being was being negatively impacted by the experience. Impact on work Parents who had not been working in the previous seven days were significantly more likely to have been helping children with their school work (86%), compared with those who had worked (74%). And parents with a university education were more likely to have attempted home schooling than those without. Notably, just under half (49%) of parents were confident to some degree in their ability to help their children's learning. While nearly a third of working parents said the requirement to home school had been negatively affecting their job. The majority of children have been out of school since MarchA separate report by the ONS, found women were bearing the brunt of the home schooling experience, with women tending to carry out more educational and caring tasks during lockdown. The findings will be particularly worrying for parents of children facing exams in the near future. Although exam boards have said they will be taking account of some of the lost learning by delaying next summer's exams slightly, there have been calls fro head teachers for many more changes to ensure pupils are treated fairly. Governments in England, Wales and Scotland are aiming for a full return of pupils when the new term begins, but there are concerns that local lockdowns could see some children sent back home.

Germany and Ireland have both trumpeted their success in rolling out contact-tracing apps. But is there any evidence that they are doing what they are designed to do - warning people they could be infected with the virus? Not yet - and the privacy-conscious way in which they are designed could mean we will never know how effective they have been. Last month, the UK government announced that it was abandoning a centralised NHS contact-tracing app for England and switching to a decentralised version, based on the Apple-Google toolkit. This model has been favoured by privacy campaigners because the matching process takes place on users' smartphones rather on a central computer, providing a greater degree of anonymity. But the government stressed that the new version would not arrive in a hurry, and Boris Johnson told the House of Commons that no country in the world had a functioning contact-tracing app. The Leader of the Opposition, Labour's Keir Starmer, immediately pointed to Germany, as did many others who disputed the prime minister's claim. Germany's app launched in mid-June Germany's Corona-Warn-App was rolled out nationwide in June. A few days ago, the Robert Koch Institute provided an update on its progress, celebrating the fact that it had now been installed by around 16 million people. "A successful start that speaks for great interest and acceptance among the population," a statement from the app's developer said. Bear in mind, however, that there are 83 million Germans, and it is thought more than half of the population need to have an app before it is truly effective. "The app works" added the institute's president Prof Lothar Wieler. He went on to say that about 500 app users had tested positive for the virus and "had the opportunity to warn others via the app". But he then said: "We cannot say exactly how many people were warned, because of the decentralised approach of the app." In other words, we do not know whether the software is performing its key function. To know how well your app is performing, it is also vital to understand whether it is producing a lot of false negatives or false positives - in bald terms, whether the software is failing to alert people who have been in close contact with an infected user, and sending warnings to those who haven't. That's important to know, because studies have indicated that Bluetooth is an unreliable way to determine the distance between two people in some common situations. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) told us it too didn't know because, once again, the log history it would need to tap into "remains with the users, encrypted on their smartphones". We wondered as a workaround whether Germany's manual contact tracers might provide RKI with a record of people who had come to their attention after being alerted by the app. No, came the answer. Local municipalities run manual contact tracing and do not share this information. RKI added that it hoped scientific tests would eventually assess the app's impact in the "medium to long term", but had yet to work out how this would be achieved. Switzerland faces the same issue. Developers of the SwissCovid app have said an update next month will make changes to how it measures Bluetooth signals Its health department also pointed the finger at SwissCovid's use of Apple and Google's model. "We hence have the same limitations in terms of statistics. We don't know - and have no way of finding out - the number of people warned by the app or any false positives/false negatives," a spokesman told the BBC. 'Looking positive' No such caution from Cian Ó Maidín, whose firm Nearform is behind Ireland's app. Covid Tracker app was launched two weeks ago and has rapidly attracted 1.3 million users, about a third of Ireland's smartphone users. Nearform is also developing a very similar app for Northern Ireland, which decided to go it alone after the NHS project hit trouble. And Mr Ó Maidín suggested that other parts of the UK and major American states could also be customers soon. "This is a solved problem," he told the BBC. "We have a solution that works well, it's been tested, it's been verified. We can get a government up and running from the point at which we kick off to launch in a month." Later he diluted this to "it may not be perfectly solved at this time" but continued to brush off concerns about effectiveness. Ireland's app is forming the basis of an app soon to be launched in Northern Ireland"We don't have a full data set yet but the early data looks really positive," he said, directing us to Ireland's health service HSE for a more detailed response. We have actually been chasing them on this point for days, and will provide an update if we hear back. Ireland's Covid Tracker app is out - where's England's? What went wrong with the England's contact tracing app? England's virus-tracing app switches to Apple-Google model As the Irish app is based on the same model as Germany and Switzerland's, it is not clear why it should generate more data. Although there is one potential caveat: during the installation process, users are asked to agree to the collection of "anonymous metrics" about the "effectiveness of contact-tracing processes". In any case, Mr Ó Maidín says we should not be overly concerned about missed or bad matches. "The perfect should not be the enemy of the good," he says. The problem is that with so little data exposed, can we even distinguish good from bad? Problems abound There have also been problems with contact-tracing apps in other countries: Downloads of Japan's Contact-Confirming Application (Cocoa) have slowed, totalling 7.7 million on Monday - the country's population is over 126 million. A bug in the software had prevented users from being able to register testing positive for the virus, but this was fixed in an update released on 13 July. But the Japan Times reports that since then only 27 positive cases have been registered via the app. Italy's Immuni has been downloaded by about 4.2 million Italians, falling far short of the government's target - the country's population is about 60 million. Local authorities suggest there has been limited interest because the spread of the virus is perceived to be under control, but expect this to change if a second wave begins. Australia's CovidSafe has yet to identify anyone that had not already been flagged by other contact-tracing efforts. Zdnet reports that it also continues to be bedevilled by a series of flaws that have caused matches to be missed and iPhones to try to connect to unrelated devices. One ex-medical official told local news the cost involved in developing and promoting the app had been 70 million Australian dollars ($49m; £38m). On Monday, France's data watchdog wrote to the country's government requesting changes be made to its StopCovid app, to make it compliant with privacy laws. The last official update says it has been downloaded 2.3 million times.

The UK "will not hesitate" to add more countries to its travel quarantine list in order to protect public health, the chancellor has said. Rishi Sunak told Sky News "there is always the risk of disruption" to holidays during the coronavirus pandemic. Arrivals to the UK from Belgium, the Bahamas and Andorra have been told they will need to self-isolate for 14 days. It comes amid a surge in cases in France. Belgium has one of the highest coronavirus case rates in Europe at 49.2 per 100,000 people, compared with 14.3 per 100,000 in the UK. The Foreign Office is also warning against "all but essential travel" to Belgium, Andorra and the Bahamas. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, France recorded 23.4 cases per 100,000 people in the last two weeks. France has recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus infections in more than two months, with figures on Wednesday showing 1,695 new cases reported within 24 hours. For comparison, Spain's rate was 27.4 per 100,000 around the time it was removed from the UK's travel corridor list of countries exempt from quarantine restrictions. Belgium and Bahamas arrivals in UK must quarantine? No, this is GUIDANCE not LAW France reaches two-month high in virus cases? correct Where can I visit without quarantining on my return? nowhere! Asked whether tourist destinations such as France could be next to be added to the quarantine list, Mr Sunak told the Public "The government was keeping the situation under constant review" and that people should "be mindful" of the risk of disruption to travel given the global pandemic." He told holidaymakers they should constantly look at government guidance and "make the best decisions they can, knowing we live in uncertain times". He told Sky News No 10 was doing "the right thing", keeping the situation "under review on a constant basis" and consulting with scientists and medical advisers. If action was needed, the government would "not hesitate to do that", he said, in order "to protect people's health". The new rules for Belgium, the Bahamas and Andorra have already come into force in Wales and will take effect in the rest of the UK from 04:00 BST on Saturday. Quarantines have already been re-imposed for travellers from Spain and Luxembourg. But people arriving in England and Wales from Brunei and Malaysia will no longer need to self-isolate, after a decrease in confirmed new coronavirus cases there. People who do not self-isolate when required to after being abroad can be fined up to £1,000 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Those returning to Scotland could be fined £480, with fines up to £5,000 for persistent offenders. Last week, Belgium introduced restrictions that meant people could only meet the same five people outside their household in a month. Joshua Holloway, who works at the University of Ghent, in northwest Belgium, says the "crushing" quarantine news means he will have to abandon plans to visit his family in Shropshire next week. He says they cannot visit him, because they can't afford to miss two weeks of work when they return to the UK, adding: "I also cannot go to the UK for an additional period of two weeks prior to when I had planned to travel in order to be able to enjoy a long weekend there." Mr Holloway called on No 10 to provide "clearer guidelines" on the number of cases a country would need to hit to trigger its removal from the quarantine exemptions list. "With the current system, there is no indication at all as to when Belgium will reappear on the quarantine-free list," he said.

The death of George Floyd has propelled the names of others who died in police custody into the spotlight, years after their passing. For some bereaved relatives long fighting for justice that focus can be welcome, but it's still painful. The face of George Floyd looks across the square in Minneapolis that's become a monument to his death under a police officer's knee. In front of it, Angelique Negroni-Kearse stops to take a picture. She has travelled from New York, one of scores converging on the Upper Midwest city to mourn loved ones who died in police custody - and to demand justice. Floyd's face surveys the flowers and tributes laid below. Behind him, a list of names sits underneath the rallying cry heard on protests, t-shirts and timelines around the world: Say Our Names. Names that have become known for reasons that no one would ever want to make their loved ones famous. Eric Garner. Tamir Rice. Breonna Taylor. Gina Best talks about the fatal shooting of her daughter India Kager Names whose lives most of us know relatively little about. Sandra Bland. Alton Sterling. Philando Castile. Names whose deaths many of us have watched. The name of Angelique's husband isn't among them. Andrew Kearse died in 2017. Fifteen days after being released from prison, he was pulled over for a traffic violation in Schenectady, New York. He ran. A police officer chased him and handcuffed him. Kearse complained of pain in his leg as he was put in the back of a police car. "Excuse me sir, excuse me sir," Kearse says, gasping, on video released by the police department and uploaded to YouTube by his widow. "I can't breathe. Sir, sir, I can't breathe. Please." In 17 minutes, he pleaded for help dozens of times. Only after the car had arrived at the station, and some time after Kearse had lost consciousness, was an ambulance called. He'd had a heart attack, and died. As Floyd's name and image travelled around the world, propelled across nations and borders by the inexorable momentum of shares, likes and injustice, other names - other deaths - have travelled in his wake. "People need to know what happened to Andrew," Angelique told the BBC by phone from a Minneapolis hotel room. "That's why I pushed so much for him, for everybody to be his voice. "We're going to get paint and we're going to paint his name on the floor. It might not be on the mural of… George Floyd, with everybody else. "But I'm not letting nobody forget about Andrew." Emerald Garner sometimes wishes she could be forgotten. "I don't want any of this national attention. I don't want people to recognise me in the street," she told the BBC. "I would like to just go and enjoy my day and not have people say: 'You're Eric Garner's daughter, this is how I felt about the video.' "And it's just like, I'm trying to enjoy Christmas. I'm trying to enjoy Easter. It's my kid's birthday." She was 22 when her dad died, in 2014. Accused of illegally selling loose cigarettes, he was arrested and, like George Floyd, restrained in a chokehold. Like George Floyd, he repeatedly said "I can't breathe". And, like George Floyd, his death was captured on video and triggered protests and outrage as it was shared around the world. After Floyd's death, there was an immediate, visible leap in the number of people talking about her dad and sharing his picture online. She was working when it happened. "I just started to get a whole bunch of phone calls and emails like 'Did you see this video?'" she said. "I don't watch police brutality videos because of what happened to my father. Everybody [was] trying to say [I] should reach out to the family." She said she doesn't want to "bombard them" by asking them how they are because she knows the answer. "They're hurt. They're angry. They're upset. They're mad. They're every emotion you can think of." Media captionThree generations of one family reflect on the reckoning over race New police deaths bring renewed attention and resurface old trauma. Because of what happened to her dad - and her prominence - it also brings pressure. She keeps being asked for her view. "My opinion is the same as it was six years ago - that nobody should die at the hands of police unjustly. That's always what's going to be my fight. That's always what's going to be my go-to, what's going to be my struggle as these cases come to light. "It's like rewinding the tape and just playing it back over and over again." "I'm upset like so many other people are upset," Heather Schieder told the BBC. An artist and illustrator from western New York, she maintains an Instagram account where she shares her work. Lately, much of it has been overtly anti-racist. Portraits of black victims of police violence sit alongside stylised images of protest and pleas for action. "I'm half-Egyptian, so as a child there were times when I experienced a little taste of racism," she said. She is also a Catholic. "My current church friends are empathetic and they want to... centre black voices and work to be anti-racist. "But the circles which I was in before, which were more conservative, were very conservative actually. "They are the ones who would say things like 'all lives matter' or just deny that it's even a problem or they will victim shame or they will justify their own racism." Her work has resonated with hundreds of thousands of people online. The first portrait was George Floyd, and it drew on tributes she read about, that were paid to him by friends and family. "There are so many narratives that people put out there about a person, especially a black person killed by law enforcement. I just wanted to use the words of those who knew him." Elijah McClain died in August 2019. The 23-year-old was walking through the Denver, Colorado, suburb where he lived, returning home from a convenience store. A 911 call reported a "suspicious person" matching his description. Police stopped him. A struggle ensued and, after being put in a chokehold and injected with ketamine, he died in hospital. His death was reported in the local press. A handful of rallies were held in his name. But then his case was closed and the police officers involved in his arrest returned to work. "It hurts because I honestly didn't understand why Colorado wasn't there for Elijah like they were there for George Floyd," his mother, Sheneen McClain, told ABC News. "Everybody's screaming names now, but… last year it would have made a big difference." It was from social media that Heather learned what happened to Elijah. When she drew him, she printed his own words behind him - words captured on police body cameras after he was stopped. My name is Elijah McClain. I was just going home. I'm an introvert. I'm just different. "I watch people respond to those pieces of art in a way that is painful to them," Heather said. Singer Janelle Monae shared the McClain piece, and said she would never be over what happened to him. "I know that my piece of art was probably a source of pain," said Heather. "It's just a bittersweet thing to watch the art do its job." Without social media, there's no way to get these messages out and raise awareness for victims of police brutality, she added. As Heather and others have helped to amplify the terrible details of Elijah McClain's death online, and thousands have turned out on protests offline, pressure has mounted on authorities to act. A month before the first anniversary of Elijah's death, more than 4.5 million people have signed a petition demanding justice. Colorado governor Jared Polis has appointed a special prosecutor to review what happened. Aurora police have banned the chokehold used to restrain McClain. New rules say officers must intercede if they see a colleague using excessive force. And police must themselves observe a person acting suspiciously before stopping them. In July, one of the officers involved in the arrest was fired. Colleagues had sent him images re-enacting the chokehold which preceded McClain's death. Two others were fired, and a fourth resigned. Victims' families are themselves using social media to try and join the dots between hashtags and lasting legislative change. In June, Emerald Garner and Angelique Kearse took over the Instagram account of Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren. Skip Instagram post by elizabethwarrenReport End of Instagram post by elizabethwarren "Right now I think that social media is everything," Emerald told the BBC. "Because we can't do anything right now. The world is on shutdown. We needed this national attention to get national change." The two women - aided by a clutch of Democratic lawmakers including Warren, her Senate colleague Kirsten Gillibrand and the congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, as well as Warren's 2.4 million Instagram followers - are advocating for the introduction of legislation named for their loved ones. The Eric Garner Act, which criminalises the use of chokeholds by police officers resulting in injury or death, passed both houses in the state of New York within a fortnight of George Floyd's death. The Andrew Kearse Act, signed into state law less than two weeks later, requires law enforcement officers to seek medical care for people in their custody who require it. Should they fail to, they can be held liable in civil court. Proposed federal legislation was formally introduced in Washington by Senator Warren and Congresswoman Pressley on 19 June. "Andrew Kearse should be alive right now," Congresswoman Pressley said. "This bill would help ensure accountability by holding officers who refuse medical care to those in their custody criminally liable for their inaction." Concurrently, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries have introduced bicameral legislation to outlaw chokeholds. "George Floyd and Eric Garner should be alive," Senator Gillibrand said. "I will fight alongside my colleagues to pass this legislation and institute meaningful change that can no longer wait." "We have to lean on the Republicans for them to vote on the bill," Emerald told the BBC. "These laws are specifically to take out the bad cops. The time is now." Back in Minneapolis, Angelique is looking ahead to the march that took place the day after I spoke to her. On the morning we speak, family and friends of those who died in police custody, from across the US, were heading to Minneapolis to remember, to grieve and to demand change. "There's so many of us that don't have a voice and people don't know about their loved ones, so they started calling each and every family members out here from all over the country. "Nobody understands unless you have gone through the situation. All of us can relate to each and every one of our pain." One family lost a man shot 17 times, another one was shot 70 times, she said. "They have to pass these laws, because enough is enough. We don't want another family to be in this group." That night, yards from where George Floyd was killed, her husband's name was painted on the road. "Andrew Kearse is finally being heard from NYC to Minnesota," Angelique wrote on Twitter a few days later. "Andrew I told you I will never give up. "I will get you justice." His name lives on with the others.

Activists and journalists are being rounded up and jailed in Belarus ahead of next month’s elections. People say it’s the most brutal crackdown the country has ever known. President Alexander Lukashenko has been in power for more than a quarter of a century, but opposition to the authoritarian leader is growing. Our Europe correspondent Jean Mackenzie has been given rare access to the country often described as Europe’s "last dictatorship".

#WCNPolicemustenforcechildabuseinternational Firstly because Instagram believe it`s the local authority`s job to deal with it without them handing over evidence without a fuss and secondly because there are more under 18`s on Instagram and they know they can get away with it easier. Instagram should be banned completely it has Paedophiles on it`s platform and plenty of Minors have been abducted, sexually abused, or worse on Instagram along with Snapchat they are both pals, and the reason paedophile hunters do what they do is because "They are fed up with the lack of action of Police Departments so something has to be done". And if the #Police won`t enforce it then someone else has to do it. When will Child Abuse be enforced and monitored? When the Police get a move on simply.

At very best 80 were killed and around four thousand recorded were wounded this has left Lebanon citizens in shock and dread. It is currently unclear what caused the explosion and an investigation is promised to be pursued. Lebanon`s Prime Minister Hassan Diab has announced. It is currently unclear what exactly caused this deadly catastrophe and hopefully we will have results from Hassan Diab`s Investigation. And I personally hope you can all move on safely.

Worthing Fire Update A fire broke out on Anscombe Road in Worthing, citizens were previously advised to close there windows to avoid the smoke invading there homes, an air ambulance was also called. "Please avoid the area." says a fire fighter. Police, Ambulance, Fire, Rapid Response were all called to the scene. A Firefighter said "A fire in a pair of semi-detached houses in Anscombe Road, Worthing, is being fought using two jets, two hose-reels, and four sets of breathing apparatus, with six fire engines, an aerial ladder platform and a command unit from Bognor at the scene." Emergency services were at the scene of a house fire in Anscombe Road, Worthing. Emergency Response advised the public in the area to avoid it. There were no recorded serious injuries.

Use this service to find out what help and advice you can get from the government and other organisations. You can use it for yourself or someone else. You can find support with: what to do if you’re feeling unsafe where you live, or if you’re worried about someone else paying bills, rent, or your mortgage getting food being made redundant or unemployed, or not having any work what to do if you’re worried about going in to work having somewhere to live mental health and wellbeing, including information for children If you need medical help, go to NHS 111 online. You will not get direct support from the government or organisations through this service. Start now

#WCNKeyEducation The Coastal Protection Act 1949 States that "Pebbles constitute a natural sea-defence, breaking the formation of big waves. If this breaking is obstructed and waves keep building up to their full force, there is a danger of serious floods, which can cause damages of millions to coastal areas." And this also applies to taking sand from the beach which means technically when you bring sand back home on your feet you are breaking the law! surprising really how petty some laws are in the UK. "Rediculous". Councils are concerned about the issue as rocks and pebbles act as a natural sea defence, reducing the rate of coastal erosion. Removing stones from beaches is illegal under the Coast Protection Act 1949. WCN

Alua Asetkyzy Abzalbek, 14, was left with horrific head injuries after her phone battery burst into flames as it charged on her pillow Victim Alua Abzalbek died when the phone burst into flames next to her head A 14-year-old schoolgirl has died after her charging smartphone exploded on her pillow as she slept. Alua Asetkyzy Abzalbek went to bed listening to music at her village home in Bastobe, Kazakhstan. Next morning she was tragically found dead with the phone’s battery having burst into flames next to her head. Her device had been plugged in to a power socket, said police. She is believed to have suffered severe head injuries and died on the spot during the explosion. When paramedics were called by her devastated relatives they said she had already died. Forensic experts later confirmed that the mobile exploded in the early morning after overheating as it charged and this was the cause of death, said local reports. Her death was described as a "tragic accident". The brand of smartphone was not disclosed. Alua’s distraught best friend Ayazhan Dolasheva, 15, posted: “I still cannot believe it.” She wrote: “You were the best." “We have been together since childhood. It is so hard for me without you. I miss you so much. “You have left me forever.” WCN

#Trump Trump pivots on masks: 'I'm getting used to the mask'President Donald Trump has warned the US pandemic may "get worse before it gets better", as he revived his virus briefings with a more scripted tone. Mr Trump also asked all Americans to wear face coverings, saying "they'll have an effect" and show "patriotism". The president, who was not wearing a mask at the briefing, has previously disparaged them as unsanitary. His aides have reportedly pressed him to adopt a more measured approach as virus caseloads spike across the US. The daily White House news conferences ended soon after Mr Trump suggested in April during freewheeling remarks from the podium that the virus might be treated by injecting disinfectant into people. In his first White House coronavirus briefing for months on Tuesday, a less off-the-cuff president echoed what public health officials on his pandemic task force have been saying as he warned: "It will probably unfortunately get worse before it gets better. "Something I don't like saying about things, but that's the way it is." Why are Americans so angry about masks? 'Trump political base hit hardest by coronavirus' He added: "We're asking everybody that when you are not able to socially distance, wear a mask, get a mask. "Whether you like the mask or not, they have an impact, they'll have an effect and we need everything we can get." Mr Trump - who more than once referred to Covid-19 as the "China virus" - took a mask from his pocket in the briefing room, but did not put it on. The president is facing an uphill climb to re-election in November against Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, according to opinion polls. Mr Biden on Tuesday accused Mr Trump of having failed Americans in his handling of the pandemic. "He's quit on you, he's quit on this country," the former US vice-president said. Sticking to the script Donald Trump's afternoon coronavirus press briefings are back. Regardless of what the president said during his brief appearance on Tuesday, the simple fact of their return speaks volumes about the dismal course the pandemic has taken in the US in the past three months. Cases are rising, particularly in the south and west, perhaps most directly as a result of the administration's support for states to end mitigation measures before public-health benchmarks were met. And so the president, sticking closely to his prepared remarks, sombrely noted that things "will probably get worse before they get better". After previously dismissing a mask-wearing reporter as being "politically correct", he now encouraged people to wear face coverings. A number of recent polls have indicated that sinking public support for the president's handling of the virus has been dragging down his re-election prospects. The White House reportedly hopes getting the president back in front of the American people will help rebuild their confidence in his leadership. A real solution to the president's dilemma, however, won't come until coronavirus cases once again go down, the hospitals empty, Americans go back to work, schools reopen and life returns to some semblance of normal. That day still seems a long way off, while election day is drawing close. Mr Trump appeared without the medical experts who used to address the briefings. He kept his remarks brief and focused, avoiding sparring with reporters who asked a few questions. He continued: "We're asking Americans to use masks, socially distance and employ vigorous hygiene - wash your hands every chance you get, while sheltering high risk populations. "We are imploring young Americans to avoid packed bars and other crowded indoor gatherings. Be safe and be smart." Mr Trump has been reluctant to wear a mask himself in front of the media, claiming that some people only wore such face coverings as a political statement against him. The press pictured him recently wearing a mask for the first time as he visited a military hospital. Media captionWhy the US struggled with its reopeningWhen asked on Tuesday about his shifting support for masks, the president pointed out that even health experts had changed their minds. Back in March, both Dr Anthony Fauci, one of the leading members of the president's coronavirus task force, and US Surgeon General Jerome Adams said there was no reason people in the US should wear a mask. Why Texas is seeing a surge in coronavirus cases How did Florida get so badly hit by Covid-19? Since at least April, the US Centers for Disease Control has recommended Americans wear face coverings in public. Dr Fauci now argues US authorities should be more "forceful" in compelling mask wearing, though Mr Trump has rejected calls for the White House to issue a national order on the issue. During the briefing, the president continued to assert the virus would one day "disappear". Media captionThe lost six weeks when the US failed to control the virusHe also wrongly claimed the US has a lower coronavirus death rate than "almost everywhere else in the world". According to Johns Hopkins University, the US mortality rate is ranked 10th out of the 20 worst-hit countries. The United States has recorded nearly 3.9 million Covid-19 cases and over 141,000 deaths - the highest by volume in the world. Mr Trump was also asked by a reporter about the case of Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite who was charged this month by US authorities with sex-trafficking children for her ex-boyfriend, the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The president said: "I haven't really been following it too much. I just wish her well, frankly. I've met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach [Florida], and I guess they lived in Palm Beach." "I don't know the situation with Prince Andrew," added Mr Trump, mentioning the British royal who denies claims he had sex with a teenage girl who says she was trafficked by Epstein.

#batsdeservelovenotbeingeaten! The greater mouse-eared bat catches insects in flight Scientists have deciphered the genetic blueprints of six of the world's bats. Their codes of life contain genetic clues to their "exceptional immunity", which protects them against deadly viruses. Researchers hope to use the information to crack the secrets of how bats carry coronaviruses without getting sick. They say this may ultimately provide solutions to help human health during this and future pandemics. Prof Emma Teeling of University College Dublin said the "exquisite" genome sequences they have unravelled suggest bats have "unique immune systems". And understanding how bats can tolerate viruses without getting sick could help in the development of new treatments for viruses such as Covid-19. "If we could mimic the immune response of bats to viruses, that allows them to tolerate them, then you could look to nature to find a cure," she told BBC News. "It's already evolved, we don't need to reinvent the wheel. We now have the tools to be able to understand the steps we need to take; we need to develop the drugs to do it." Prof Teeling is the co-founder of the Bat1K project, which aims to decode the genomes of all 1,421 living bat species. "These genomes are the tools needed to identify the genetic solutions evolved in bats that ultimately could be harnessed to alleviate human ageing and disease," she said. Covid-19 is thought to have arisen in bats, passing to humans through another, as yet unidentified, animal. A number of other diseases, including Sars, Mers and Ebola, are thought to have jumped to humans this way. Coronavirus: The race to find the source in wildlife Coronavirus: Exploiting nature 'drives outbreaks of new diseases' Coronavirus: A hunt for the 'missing link' host species Ecologists and conservationists have warned that bats should not be persecuted; when left undisturbed in their natural habitats, they pose little risk to human health. And they are vital for the balance of nature. Many are pollinators, dispersing the seeds from fruit, and others are insectivores, eating millions of tons of insects a night. Which bats species were decoded? Six bat species: the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus), the pale spear-nosed bat (Phyllostomus discolor), the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis), the Kuhl's pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhlii) and the velvety free-tailed bat (Molossus molossus). The greater horseshoe bat is the largest horseshoe bat in Europe What do the studies reveal? An international team of researchers used cutting edge technologies to sequence the bats' genome and identify the genes present. By comparing the blueprint of the bat against 42 other mammals they were able to find out where bats are located within the tree of life. Bats appear most closely related to a group that consists of carnivores (dogs, cats and seals, among other species), pangolins, whales and ungulates (hooved mammals). A trawl of genetic differences identified regions of the genome that have evolved differently in bats, which may account for their unique abilities. The genetic detective work revealed genes that may contribute to echolocation, which bats use to hunt and navigate in complete darkness. How could the information help fight this and future pandemics? The work has implications for human health and disease, by revealing a large number of genetic changes that give bats protection from viruses. The researchers think knowledge of bat genomes could help explain how the flying mammals tolerate coronavirus infections, which may, in the future, help in fighting pandemics. "These changes may contribute to bats' exceptional immunity and points to their tolerance of coronaviruses," said Dr Michael Hiller of the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, Germany. In many viral infections, it is not the virus itself that leads to death, but the acute inflammatory response brought on by the body's immune system. Bats can control this. So, while they may be infected, they do not show visible signs of disease. The research is published in the journal Nature.

One of the stone artefacts found at the cave Humans settled in the Americas much earlier than previously thought, according to new finds from Mexico. They suggest people were living there 33,000 years ago, twice the widely accepted age for the earliest settlement of the Americas. The results are based on work at Chiquihuite Cave, a high-altitude rock shelter in central Mexico. Archaeologists found thousands of stone tools suggesting the cave was used by people for at least 20,000 years. Ice age During the second half of the 20th Century, a consensus emerged among North American archaeologists the Clovis people had been the first to reach the Americas, about 11,500 years ago. The Clovis were thought to have crossed a land bridge linking Siberia to Alaska during the last ice age. This land bridge - known as Beringia - subsequently disappeared underwater as the ice melted. And these big-game hunters were thought to have contributed to the extinction of the megafauna - large mammals such as mammoth, mastodon and various species of bear that roamed the region until the end of the last ice age. Break down As the "Clovis First" idea took hold, reports of earlier human settlement were dismissed as unreliable and archaeologists stopped looking for signs of earlier occupation. But in the 1970s, this orthodoxy started to break down. In the 1980s, solid evidence for a 14,500-year-old human presence at Monte Verde, Chile, emerged. And since the 2000s, other pre-Clovis sites have become widely accepted - including the 15,500-year-old Buttermilk Creek site in central Texas. The entrance to the rock shelter in Zacatecas, Mexico Now, Ciprian Ardelean, from the Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Mexico, Tom Higham, from the University of Oxford, and colleagues have found evidence of human occupation stretching back far beyond that date, at the Chiquihuite site in the central-northern Mexican Highlands. The results have been published in the journal Nature. "This is a unique site, we've never seen anything like it before," Prof Higham, the director of Oxford's Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, told BBC News. "The stone-tool evidence is very, very compelling. "Anyone can see that these are deliberately manufactured stone tools and there are lots of them. "The dating - which is my job - is robust. "And so, it's a very exciting site to have been involved in." Dating techniques The team excavated a 3m-deep (10ft) stratigraphic section - a sequence of soil layers arranged in the order they were deposited - and found some 1,900 stone artefacts made over thousands of years. Researchers were able to date bone, charcoal and sediment associated with the stone tools, using two scientific dating techniques. The first, radiocarbon dating, relies on the way a radioactive form of the element carbon (carbon-14) is known to decay over time. The second, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), works by measuring the last time sediments were exposed to light. Scientists sampled the cave sediments for DNA Using two different techniques "added a lot of credibility and strength, particularly to the older part of the chronology", Prof Higham said. "The optical dates and [radiocarbon] dates are in good agreement," he said. And the findings could lead scientists to take a fresh look at controversial early occupation sites elsewhere in the Americas. "In Brazil, there are several sites where you have stone tools that look robust to me and are dated 26-30,000, similar dates to the Chiquihuite site," Prof Higham said. "This could be an important discovery that could stimulate new work to find other sites in the Americas that date to this period." Travel options During the period known as the last glacial maximum, 26,000-19,000 years ago, sea levels were low enough for people to cross easily from Siberia to America via the Beringian land bridge. But what about during earlier times? "Before 26,000 years ago, the latest data suggest that Beringia might have been a rather unattractive place for humans to be. It might well have been boggy and very difficult to traverse," said Prof Higham. "We still think the most likely scenario is for people to have come on a coastal route - hugging a coast - perhaps with some kind of maritime technology, which by that stage people in other parts of the world had certainly developed." While people seem to have been in the Americas before the last glacial maximum, they were probably thin on the ground. It's only much later, between 14,000 and 15,000 years ago, that populations increase substantially. It coincides with the temperature spike at the end of the last Ice Age, when jumps of 7C are seen in the space of two to three years. Native Americans The scientists also used "environmental DNA" techniques to look for human genetic material in the cave sediments. But they could not find a strong enough signal. Previous DNA evidence has shown the Clovis settlers shared many similarities with modern Native Americans. And scientists will now want to understand how these older populations relate to later human groups who inhabited the continent. In the same issue of Nature, Prof Higham and Lorena Becerra-Valdivia, also from Oxford, describe how they used ages from 42 archaeological sites in North America and Beringia to explore how humans expanded. The results reveal the signal of a pre-Clovis human presence stretching back to the last glacial maximum at least.

Workers having to quarantine after returning from abroad may not be protected from dismissal, a Sussex law firm has warned. It comes after it was announced on Saturday (July 25) anyone returning from Spain would have to self-isolate for 14 days or risk a fine due a spike in covid-19 cases there. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said employees cannot be dismissed or penalised if they quarantine for two weeks – but Brighton law firm DMH Stallard has pointed out this is not underpinned by the law. Senior associate Abigail Maino said, “Most employers will no doubt be sympathetic to this sudden change in government policy and its unexpected impact on employees, but many employers will not be in a position to pay employees for 14 days if they are in roles which cannot be undertaken from home. “Dominic Raab’s statement that employees cannot be dismissed or penalised if they quarantine for 14 days is not underpinned by law in certain circumstances.” Ms Maino says those with under two years’ service do not qualify for unfair dismissal rights and some employers may decide to dismiss if those individuals cannot attend work for 14 days, and cannot work from home. The red list alert system for travel explained and which countries are on it She said, “If individuals do not have symptoms of covid-19 or any other illness then they will not be entitled to statutory sick pay or, in the vast majority of cases, company sick pay. Gatwick airport (north terminal) Covid-19 protective easures with guidance for staff and passengers to protect each other as it prepares to reopen its north terminal to accommodate more flights “This unfortunately leaves employers in a position where, if roles cannot be undertaken from home, they must decide whether to exercise their discretion to pay employees who are quarantining, and the rate of any such pay, whilst being mindful of any future changes to air bridges and the impact of setting a precedent now with regard to quarantine pay. “The unknown and changing landscape means many employers will be having difficult conversations with employees returning from Spain about unpaid leave, in circumstances where those employees may feel the government’s message should provide them with additional entitlements.” At midnight on Saturday, Spain was removed from the lists of countries from which passengers arriving in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are exempted from the need to self-isolate. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said, “Protecting public health is our absolute priority and we have taken this decision to limit any potential spread to the UK. “We’ve always been clear that we would act immediately to remove a country where necessary. Both our list of quarantine exemptions and the FCO travel advice are being updated to reflect these latest risk assessments.” Dominic Raab said to Sophy Ridge on Sky News, “There is a cut-off with changes in rules and advice we give, so I appreciate that that’s difficult and it can be disruptive. “But it would be far worse to either muddy the waters or to hold back and delay from taking the measures when we need to take them.” The facts • The Foreign Office said following a ‘significant change over the last week in both the level and pace of change in confirmed cases’, Spain was removed from the list of countries where people do not have to self-isolate when arriving into the UK. • People already in Spain can stay for the remainder of their holiday and will have to self-isolate upon return • The Foreign Office is now advising against all but essential travel to mainland Spain.

The total number of coronavirus deaths in Adur and Worthing rose by seven during the month of June, according to new figures. Coronavirus news There were 40 coronavirus deaths in Adur in the four months between March and June, according to the figures from the Office of National Statistics. This was an increase of one when compared with previous figures which revealed the total up until May. Meanwhile Worthing saw 77 coronavirus deaths in the four months until June – an increase of six when compared to previous figures. The figures include deaths where coronavirus was the underlying cause or was mentioned on the death certificate as a contributory factor. The Office of National Statistics also provides a breakdown of the number of deaths per geographical area (or Middle Layer Super Output Area). In Adur, the total number of deaths between March and June can be broken down as follows: – Hillside, 10 – Buckingham, 5 – North Lancing, 8 – Kingston & Southwick, 1 – Shoreham Central & Beach, 2 – Cokeham & Sompting, 4 – Marsh Barn & Widewater, 2 – South Lancing, 8 Meanwhile in Worthing the figures are as follows: – High Salvington & Findon Valley, 9 – Salvington, 3 – Durrington North, 3 – Broadwater West, 3 – Broadwater East, 3 – Northbrook, 3 – Durrington South, 3 – Broadwater South, 4 – East Worthing, 2 – Heene, 24 – Worthing Central, 4 – West Worthing, 4 – Goring-by-Sea, 12

Diners will soon be able to get money off their bill on certain days in August to encourage a return to cafes, pubs and restaurants. It's hoped the ''eat out to help out'' scheme will provide a boost to the struggling hospitality industry, now that the national lockdown is easing. How does the scheme work? The promotion gives people a discount of up to 50% when eating or drinking soft drinks in a participating restaurant or other food establishment. It is valid all day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 31 August, in all parts of the UK that are not in a local lockdown. The maximum discount available is £10 per person when you eat or drink in. Food and drink will appear on the menu at full price, and the restaurant will deduct the money off the bill and claim it back from the government. How do I get the discount? The discount is only available on food and drink that you intend to consume on the premises, and can be used as many times as you like. There is no limit on how many people can use the discount in one party, and it includes children. Participating venues are supposed to offer the full 50% discount all day Monday to Wednesday and across the whole food and soft drink menu. There's no minimum spend and you don't have to order food to be eligible, for example a £3 coffee would cost £1.50 under the scheme. The offer can be used in combination with any other promotions and discounts being offered by the venue. Can my boss force me to go back to work? How are pubs keeping customers safe? Which food and drink places are taking part? The promotion covers participating: Restaurants (including those in hotels leisure centres and holiday parks) Cafes Bars and pubs that serve food Canteens Food halls with a seating area Members' clubs Chancellor Rishi Sunak introduced the scheme to help get pubs and restaurants back on their feet It is likely that lots of local, independent pubs restaurants and cafes will be taking part, as well as big chains. Establishments can choose whether to sign up, and can join the scheme at any point. They need to register online and will be able to claim the money back and have it refunded within five working days, To be eligible they must have a designated dining or drinking area, or access to one, and have been registered with their local authority since at least 7 July 2020. Businesses that have used the furlough scheme can apply. A full list of places taking part will be available shortly and will allow people to search for participating venues within a two-mile radius. What is not included? The discount cannot be used on alcoholic drinks, service charges or food for a private function or event. As the idea is to encourage people to eat in, establishments that are takeaway-only are not eligible. Neither are catering services, bed and breakfasts or mobile food vans. Businesses must have the facilities for people to dine in to take part, so venues offering informal seating in an area that does not belong to them are not included. GETTY IMAGES UK hospitality industry 3rdlargest UK employer in 2018 3.2 millionworkers in the sector 99%of hospitality businesses are SMEs £130bnannual turnover in 2018 67%expect it will be "months" before going to a restaurant Why is 'eat out to help out' being introduced? To help get struggling cafes, restaurants and pubs back on their feet. Hospitality is one of the biggest employers in the UK and has been hit especially hard by the lockdown measures. In April 80% of venues closed, and 1.4 million hospitality workers have been placed on furlough, the highest proportion of any sector. Some venues have been able to provide a takeaway service during lockdown. But this often means lower average spending per head and fewer people employed, and it is not an option for some businesses. In August, when many premises will have reopened, the government hopes diners will be enticed in by the discount on offer. It also wants it to boost confidence in going out, and increase footfall at the quieter end of the week. A survey published earlier this month suggested that many Britons felt uncomfortable about eating at a restaurant. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said just over two-in-10 adults were happy to have a sit-down meal. The scheme is being used alongside other targeted help such as a cut in VAT for hospitality and tourism businesses. Why has the scheme been criticised? Several fast-food chains have suggested they will take part in the scheme, drawing criticism from some anti-obesity campaigners. The National Obesity Forum, for example, has said it would be a ''green light to promote junk food''. As capacity will be an issue for many restaurants, Helen Miller of the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tanks suggests that including takeaways in the scheme would have been ''more effective in increasing output without compromising social distancing". The SNP's Alison Thewliss argued the money could be better spent on increasing the child portion of Universal Credit and child tax credits to ''help families put food on the table...these parents are not eating out, some of these parents are barely eating."

#WCNLegalMatters If You Watch or Stream Live TV or programmes on Sky, YouTube, BBC ..., or any online media site or television network you MUST HAVE A TV LICENSE. It isn`t whether you have a tv that requires you to have a license instead it`s really what you watch or stream, make one mistake by leaving your TV playing and it turns BBC on you can be fined or prosecuted, if anyone knew. You can get a TV License Discount if you are 75 or over, You can also get a short-term licence if you’re 74. It’s valid until the end of the month before your 75th birthday. You can get a special licence for £7.50 if you’re in residential care. click here for more info. To qualify for this you need to be retired & over 60 or disabled. If you have a Housing Manager they can apply for this for you. Does this include hidden disabilities? This isn`t made clear as of yet in any legislation but the BBC Vulnerable Customers Policy but You might classify as eligeble if you have either Autism, ADHD, PTSD, ... you should call 0300 790 6165 You can be fined up to £1,000 if you watch or record live TV without a TV Licence. You must have a TV Licence if you: watch or record programmes on a TV, computer or other device as they’re broadcast download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand A TV Licence costs £157.50 (£53 for black and white TV sets) for both homes and businesses.

1. Main facts and figures Black people were over 3 times as likely to be arrested as White people – there were 35 arrests for every 1,000 Black people, and 10 arrests for every 1,000 White people overall, men were 6 times as likely to be arrested as women – there were 22 arrests for every 1,000 men, and 4 arrests for every 1,000 women Black women were more than twice as likely to be arrested as White women – there were 7 arrests for every 1,000 Black women, and 3 arrests for every 1,000 White women figures for 2017/18 exclude Lancashire Police as they were unable to provide data on arrests This data shows that: there were 675,461 arrests in England and Wales in 2017/18 (excluding the Lancashire police force area), at a rate of 12 arrests per 1,000 people there were 66,946 fewer arrests in 2017/18 compared with the previous year, a fall of 9% (excluding Lancashire Police from both years) Black people were over 3 times as likely to be arrested as White people – there were 35 arrests for every 1,000 Black people, and 10 arrests for every 1,000 White people people with Mixed ethnicity were nearly twice as likely to be arrested as White people – there were 19 arrests for every 1,000 people with Mixed ethnicity, and 10 arrests for every 1,000 White people By ethnicity over time This data up to 2016/17 shows that: overall, rates of arrest in England and Wales fell from 26 arrests per 1,000 people in 2006/07 to 14 arrests per 1,000 people in 2016/17 there were 117,151 fewer arrests in 2016/17 compared with the previous year, a fall of 13% arrest rates for people from the Asian, White, and Other (including Chinese) ethnic groups were lower than average in almost every year of the period studied, while the rates for people from the Black and Mixed ethnic groups were consistently higher than average between 2006/07 and 2016/17, the arrest rate for White people went down from 24 arrests per 1,000 to 11 arrests per 1,000 – a decrease of 51% in the same period, the arrest rate for people with Mixed ethnicity went down from 33 arrests per 1,000 to 20 arrests per 1,000 – a decrease of 39% the arrest rate for people from the Other ethnic group went down from 20 arrests per 1,000 people in 2006/07 to 13 per 1,000 in 2016/17 – a decrease of 38% the arrest rate for Black people went down from 56 arrests per 1,000 people in 2006/07 to 38 per 1,000 in 2016/17 – a decrease of 33% the arrest rate for Asian people went down from 18 arrests per 1,000 people in 2006/07 to 14 per 1,000 in 2016/17 – a decrease of 26% By ethnicity and area Lancashire Police were unable to provide arrests data in 2017/18. Population estimates for Lancashire have therefore been removed from the 'All' population figures when calculating arrest rates per 1,000 people. This data shows that: in 2017/18, the biggest difference in the arrest rates between Black people and White people was in Dorset (where Black people were almost 12 times as likely to be arrested as White people), followed by Cumbria (where Black people were 10 times as likely to be arrested as White people) Black people had the highest arrest rates per 1,000 people in every police force area for which there was data the arrest rate for Asian people was nearly 3 times higher than the rate for White people in West Mercia the arrest rate for people with Mixed ethnicity was 3 times the rate for White people in Essex, Gloucestershire and Staffordshire in London (the Metropolitan Police force area), 53% of people arrested were from the Asian, Black, Mixed and Other ethnic groups combined (the highest percentage out of all police force areas) – by comparison, 40% of the population of London was from these combined ethnic groups at the time of the 2011 Census in London, there were 19 arrests for every 1,000 ethnic minority people compared with 12 arrests for every 1,000 White people Cleveland had the highest overall rate of arrests, at 19 arrests for every 1,000 people the police forces with the lowest overall rates of arrests were Devon and Cornwall (7 arrests for every 1,000 people), followed by Gloucestershire, Surrey, and Dyfed-Powys (each with 8 arrests per 1,000 people) differences in the rate of arrests in England and Wales are likely, in part, to reflect population differences in those areas (with many more people from the Asian, Black, Mixed and Other ethnic groups living in London than in North Wales, for example) By ethnicity and gender This data shows that: overall in 2017/18, there were 3 arrests for every 1,000 women and 21 arrests for every 1,000 men Black men were over three times as likely to be arrested than White men – there were 66 arrests for every 1,000 Black men, and 18 arrests for every 1,000 White men Black women were over twice as likely to be arrested as White women – there were 7 arrests for every 1,000 Black women, and 3 arrests for every 1,000 White women Asian men were 11 times as likely to be arrested as Asian women, the biggest difference between men and women from the same ethnic group – there were 22 arrests for every 1,000 Asian men, and 2 arrests for every 1,000 Asian women 6. Methodology A person arrested for a notifiable offence is counted for each occasion on which they are arrested, provided that the offence is not connected or related to an offence for which the person has already been subject to arrest during the year. If it is connected, or if a person has been arrested for more than one notifiable offences on the same occasion, the offence with the highest maximum penalty is recorded. Arresting officers are required to record details of an arrest at the time of arrest, or as soon as possible after. A universal code of practice (PACE code G) ensures arrests are standardised across forces, both in terms of the processes involved, and the data recorded. The person arrested states their ethnicity at the time of arrest. Police forces have their own internal auditing methods to ensure that data is accurate and up to date before it's submitted to the Home Office. Rounding Rates of arrest per 1,000 people are rounded to the nearest whole number. Further technical information Police forces' recording of arrests, and use of the data, are monitored by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). HMICFRS carries out regular inspections and produce reports on the inspections. Home Office statisticians undertake quality assurance checks which include looking for missing and incomplete data, inconsistencies in the data, and extreme values. Trend analyses also look for unusual or unexpected trends in the data. Any inconsistencies or unusual trends are flagged with forces, who are requested to either explain the trends, or resubmit to amend the data. All data is then confirmed by forces during a data reconciliation before the figures are published.

Non-Sussex residents who had travelled to the county were on the receiving end of more than half of the fines issued by Sussex Police under the coronavirus regulations, a new report has found. The force issued the majority of the Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) during the peak of the lockdown, according to an independent report by the Governmental Statistical Service and commissioned by national policing bodies. A spokesman for Sussex Police said that, in line with national guidance, fines were issued as a last resort and only after officers and PSCOs had engaged, explained and encouraged members of the public to comply with the health regulations. Sussex was one of a number of forces which saw a relatively high number of non-residents issued with fines, people who had travelled from London, to visit the county’s coastal and beauty spots. In total, 848 fines were issued in Sussex between 27 March and 25 May - equivalent to five in 10,000 of the population, the report revealed. This is equivalent to 4.1 people per 10,000 of the resident population. More than half of these fines (466, or 55 per cent) were to non-Sussex residents who had travelled from London and the home-counties, and some as far away as Exeter, Somerset and Nottingham, to enjoy day-trips, in particular at Brighton Beach and Camber Sands. The report shows that FPNs were issued according to the following breakdown: Gender: – Female: 19.5% – Male: 79.5% – Non binary: 0.3% – Unknown: 0.7% Age: – 18-24: 29.1% – 25-34: 38.3% – 35-44: 19.0% – 45-54: 8.7% – 55-64: 3.9% – 65+: 1.1% Ethnicity: – White 649 (76.6%) – BAME 187 (22%) – No data recorded 12 (1.4%) According to police, the relatively high disparity in ethnicity data can be partly explained in the different between fines issued to residents and non-residents which showed: – 382 fines were issued to residents in Sussex and of those 320 (83.8 per cent) were issued to white people, with 59 (15.4 per cent) issued to people identifying as black, Asian or other minority ethnic and 3 (0.79 per cent) unknown. – 466 fines were issued to non-residents and of these, 329 (70per cent) were issued to white people, with 128 (27 per cent) issued to those from a black, Asian or other minority ethnic background. Temporary Deputy Chief Constable (T/DCC) Julia Chapman said: “In Sussex we have always taken pride in our strong, community-based relationships, working hard to gain the trust and confidence of the public. “Throughout this pandemic, and in line with national guidance, our officers and PCSOs worked to encourage people to comply with the new health regulations and used enforcement only as a last resort. “The data shows that the vast majority of fines issued in Sussex, although relatively low overall, were during the peak of the lockdown period when people travelling into the county, many from urban areas, would have been fully aware that it was prohibited. “The report also notes that those forces with rural and coastal areas, like Sussex, tended to issue higher proportions of fines to non-residents and this is relevant when assessing disparity rates since we know that the BAME population tend to be disproportionately concentrated in metropolitan areas. “Nevertheless, it does show disparity across gender, age and ethnicity that cannot be fully accounted for and we are particularly conscious of, and sensitive to, the concerns around racism or bias in policing globally. “We have shared and discussed this information with our independent race advisory group and will further scrutinise this data with them, and other independent community representatives, with a commitment to take action around any learning and ensuring our local communities can be confident that our policing approach is fair.”

#WCNopinion Prominent Hong Kong rights activist Joshua Wong says he believes he is now being followed, after a new security law was passed. Critics say the law limits freedoms agreed when Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain. Beijing insists it is needed to maintain law and order in the territory. there has been a marked change in the atmosphere in the city since the law came into force.

31st July UK's Press Conference #Boris

#WCNStopPavementParking Parking on the Pavement in the UK is a parking offence along with a criminal offence of obstruction and Driving on the Pavement under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highways Act 1980. Parking On the Pavement can inconvenience Partially sighted People Wheelchair Users Blinded People People With Disabilities Pedestrians And It is ILLEGAL under multiple Road & Carriageway Laws Why do people Park on the Pavement? People park on the Pavement because they say that "I park on the pavement to Let Other Road Users Past, and sometimes there`s no other choice." But if YOU PARK ON THE PAVEMENT then we can`t get through can we? "..., i don`t know" em I think You`ll find you do really you just don`t want to admit it. It is a Pavement not a road you park on the road not the Pavement. Pavements are for people, Roads are for cars, Simple. Really that`s just an EXCUSE. We need the Police to enforce Pavement Parking. Park Smart Know the Road Traffic Laws Follow the Road Traffic Laws Stay Safe Thank You News Reporter: Dwayne Hards WCN news

With nearly 4,000 COVID-19 cases and 51 deaths, Lebanese gov't orders nationwide lockdown from July 30 until August 3. Lebanon has agreed to reinforce a nationwide lockdown from July 30 until August 3 after a spike in new cases threatens to overwhelm its healthcare system. Germany's foreign ministry has advised holidaymakers not to travel to several Spanish regions - including Catalonia, home to Barcelona - that have seen coronavirus  infection rates rise. More than 16.5 million people around the world have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. Some 9.6 million patients have recovered, and more than 654,000 have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Here are the latest updates: Tuesday, July 28 17:19 GMT - France reports 14 more deaths, raising total to 30,223 French health authorities have reported 14 new deaths, taking the total to 30,223, a figure twice as high as the daily average increase of seven seen over the last week. In a statement, authorities said the number of people in hospital for COVID-19 went down again, pursuing a two-month downward trend. 17:03 GMT - Georgia governor withdraws emergency request to stop Atlanta mask mandate Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has withdrawn his emergency request for a court to stop enforcement of Atlanta's requirement that faces masks be worn in all public places, while mediation over the state's legal effort to block the mandate proceeds. Kemp sued Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the city two weeks ago to stop enforcement of the local mandate, aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus. The governor argued that the city lacks the authority to override his order encouraging but not requiring face coverings. 16:50 GMT - Italian PM seeks to extend emergency period Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has asked parliament to extend a state of emergency, which expands his government's powers. Opposition parties objected that Conte was trying to keep too much power in his own hands despite a dramatic fall in the rate of contagion. "The virus continues to evolve and has not run its course. It would be incongruous to abruptly suspend such an effective measure," Conte told the upper house, the Senate. However, he drew back from requesting an extension until the end of the year, saying he only wanted a renewal until October. 16:46 GMT - Malta says 65 rescued migrants test positive Sixty-five migrants who were in a group of 94 people rescued at sea and brought to Malta on Monday have tested positive for COVID-19, Malta's health ministry has said. It was the single largest cluster of positive cases detected on the Mediterranean island since the first case came to light in the country on March 7. The health ministry said 85 of the migrants had been tested so far, with a further nine still awaiting a test. Hundreds of rescued migrants arrive in Italy 16:44 GMT - Pfizer CEO says negotiating with EU on contract for vaccine: interview Drugmaker Pfizer Inc is in concurrent talks with the European Union as well as several of its member states to sell them the COVID-19 vaccine candidate it is developing, Chief Executive Albert Bourla has said in an interview. "We are negotiating with the EU because that would be much easier. But also we are having extensive discussions with several member states, just in case we can't find agreement with the EU," Bourla said. 16:33 GMT - Trump pushes anti-malaria drug, Fauci checks him A week after appearing to project a more serious tone about the coronavirus, President Donald Trump is back to pushing unproven claims that an anti-malaria drug is an effective treatment and challenging the credibility of the nation's leading infectious disease expert. Dr Anthony Fauci pushed back Tuesday, saying he will keep doing his job. 15:12 GMT - Belarus president says he had asymptomatic coronavirus Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said he has had the coronavirus without any symptoms and had already recovered from it, the BelTA news agency has quoted him as saying. "Today, you are meeting a man who managed to survive the coronavirus on his feet. Doctors came to such a conclusion yesterday. Asymptomatic," Lukashenko said during a meeting with the military. The 65-year-old leader has resisted calls to impose lockdown measures or close the borders to contain the spread of the pandemic in the eastern European country. 14:38 GMT - Lebanon reinstates lockdown measures after virus rebound Lebanon has agreed to reinforce nationwide lockdown measures after a spike in new cases threatens to overwhelm its healthcare system. On Saturday, Lebanon recorded 175 new cases, its highest daily number of infections. To stem a larger outbreak, the government ordered a lockdown from July 30 until August 3, Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad said after a cabinet meeting. The lockdown will be suspended from August 3 until August 6, with restaurants and cafes allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity while nightclubs, bars, indoor pools and public parks remain closed. Lebanon, a country of some six million people, has recorded a total of 3,879 cases of COVID-19, including 51 deaths. Lebanon reimposes lockdown after COVID-19 surge (2:39) 14:28 GMT - Fauci: Marlins' outbreak endangers 2020 season Dr Anthony Fauci fears the growing outbreak of the coronavirus within the Miami Marlins could threaten the 2020 baseball season. Fauci said on ABC's Good Morning America programme that Major League Baseball still has time to curb the spread of the pandemic. "This could put it in danger," said Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "I don't believe they need to stop, but we just need to follow this and see what happens with other teams on a day-by-day basis." The Marlins completed a three-game series in Philadelphia on Sunday but opted not to fly back to Miami after more than a dozen cases of COVID-19 were confirmed by positive tests. 14:24 GMT - Phillies baseball game postponed as players await COVID-19 test results The Philadelphia Phillies game against the visiting New York Yankees on Tuesday has been postponed as some members of the home team await COVID-19 test results following their weekend series versus the Miami Marlins, a source has told Reuters. The decision to postpone the second Phillies game in as many days follows their three-game season-opening series versus Miami, who have had a number of players test positive for the coronavirus. 14:08 GMT - Spain 'safe' for tourists despite virus spike: government Spain remains a "safe" destination for tourists despite a rise in coronavirus infections in some parts of the country, the government has insisted. The remarks came after the UK reimposed a 14-day quarantine on anyone arriving from Spain, and France and Germany warned against travel to certain parts of the country following a spike in cases. "We want to send a clear message of confidence in our country," said government spokeswoman Maria Jesus Montero after the weekly cabinet meeting. "We are a secure destination that has made preparations and strengthened itself to deal with the virus and any outbreaks." Barcelona's soaring COVID-19 cases cause concern (1:52) 14:03 GMT - Turkey plans to reopen all schools as long as virus keeps receding Turkey plans to reopen schools nationwide on August 31, to get students back into classrooms and free up working parents, assuming a recent stabilisation in coronavirus cases holds. Teachers and administrators are preparing on-site health precautions, but two government sources told Reuters that the daily infection rate may need to dip below the more than 900 seen recently to allow them to execute what they called Plan A. Schools shifted to distance education in March, when Turkey identified its first case and began restricting movement. 13:50 GMT - Global air traffic won't return to pre-crisis level before 2024: IATA World air traffic will not return to levels seen before the coronavirus pandemic until at least 2024, the   International Air Transport Association has said. Uncertainty about the timing of border reopenings is the main factor weighing on international traffic, IATA's finance chief Brian Pearce told a news conference. 13:46 GMT - Spain approves new funding lines for companies, first tranche of 8 billion euros The Spanish government has approved a new set of state-backed credit lines of up to 40 billion euros ($46.9bn) to help mitigate the effects of the coronavirus, Spain's economy minister, Nadia Calvino, has said. Speaking after the weekly cabinet meeting, Calvino said that the first tranche of this new aid package would amount to around eight billion euros, of which five billion euros would go mainly to small and mid-sized companies. 13:40 Hello, this is Mersiha Gadzo in Toronto, Canada taking over the live updates from my colleague Elizabeth Melimopoulos in Doha, Qatar. 12:30 GMT - Real Madrid's Diaz tests positive Real Madrid forward Mariano Diaz has tested positive for COVID-19, the Spanish champions said, casting doubt on his participation in their Champions League tie at Manchester City next week. Real said tests were conducted on the squad on Monday and that although Diaz was in "perfect health", he would be self-isolating at home. Mariano medical report.#RealMadrid — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 28, 2020 12:00 GMT - Coronavirus sharpening hunger in southern Africa, says bloc Nearly 45 million people in 13 countries in southern Africa are food-insecure as a result of drought and flood and the impact of coronavirus, the region's bloc has said. The tally has risen almost 10 percent over last year, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) said in a report. "Common climate-induced shocks ... economic challenges and poverty have been further exacerbated by the devastating impact of COVID-19 on communities," it said. Coronavirus restrictions have badly affected business activity, jobs and remittances. 11:45 GMT - Madrid tightens coronavirus restrictions The Madrid regional government is making the wearing of face masks mandatory in all public areas, limiting how many people can gather in one place and targeting young people in a drive to stamp out new outbreaks of the coronavirus. Regional government head Isabel Diaz Ayuso announced that no more than 10 people can be present at private gatherings. Ayuso also said an information campaign will focus on young people, who are largely blamed for spreading the coronavirus through their social lives. She said young people "have it in their hands to reverse the trend". 11:30 GMT - Greece to open ports to cruise ships on Saturday Greece has announced it will open six of its big ports to tourist cruise ships starting on Saturday, after they were banned because of the coronavirus pandemic. "All cruisers are welcome in Greece," Tourism Minister Haris Theocharis said on Tuesday. The country is to open the ports in Athens, Rhodes, Heraklion on Crete, Volos, Corfu and Katakolon, he added. 11:15 GMT - No indication new coronavirus is seasonal: WHO The spread of the novel coronavirus does not appear to be impacted by seasonality, the World Health Organization has said, warning against false beliefs that summer is safer. "Season does not seem to be affecting the transmission of this virus," WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told reporters in a virtual briefing. She pointed out that some of the hardest-hit countries are currently in the middle of different seasons. 11:00 GMT - Barcelona's soaring COVID-19 cases cause concern Infection rates have been soaring in Spain with more than one thousand new cases reported on a daily basis in Catalonia. It is feared the regional capital, Barcelona, will become the epicentre of the virus. Al Jazeera's Marta Herrero reports from Barcelona: 10:45 GMT - South Asian animal sellers go online for Eid al-Adha Millions of goats, sheep and cattle are slaughtered annually during Eid al-Adha - the festival of sacrifice - one of two major holy days observed by Muslims across the world, including some 600 million in South Asia. The pandemic has, however, badly hit India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, which have shut or heavily restricted major markets, while fears of catching the virus are keeping customers away ahead of the main festival on Saturday. Faced with deserted markets, livestock breeders and traders have turned to websites, apps and social media to showcase their animals. Muhammad Naeem uploads a picture of goats on his website ahead of Eid al-Adha in Islamabad, Pakistan [Aamir Qureshi/AFP] 10:30 GMT - Iran registers a record 235 coronavirus deaths in 24-hour period Iran has reported 235 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, a record toll for a single day in the Middle East's hardest-hit country. "We have lost 235 of our compatriots due to COVID-19 in the past 24 hours," taking the overall toll to 16,147, said health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari. 10:15 GMT - PM Khan warns of possible Eid al-Adha coronavirus spike Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned citizens to continue to strictly follow government guidelines on limiting interactions, warning of a possible new surge in cases after the Islamic holy day of Eid al-Adha later this week. Khan's warning came as the country registered its lowest single-day rise in cases in almost three months, according to the latest government data. People wear protective masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus at a cattle market set up for Eid al-Adha in Peshawar, Pakistan [Muhammad Sajjad/AP] 10:00 GMT - Australia sends medical team to Papua New Guinea as cases rise Australia said it was sending a medical team to help Papua New Guinea fight an outbreak of coronavirus after the neighbouring country experienced a rise in infections. The Pacific nation, which had escaped the infection levels of its neighbours since the crisis escalated in March, has recorded an increase in new cases in the past week, according to data analysis firm Worldometer. There were 62 confirmed virus cases as of late Tuesday, up from just eight infections 11 days ago. 09:30 GMT - Spain lockdown leaves one million jobless The coronavirus epidemic has destroyed the jobs of over a million Spaniards, but with lockdowns preventing them from looking for work, they were excluded from the unemployment count, data showed. Figures published by the National Statistics Institute (INE) showed the number of unemployed rose by only 55,000 between April and June to 3.4 million. That pushed the unemployment rate to 15.3 percent from 14.4 percent in the first quarter. The number of unemployed rose by only 55,000 between April and June to 3.4 million [File: Reuters] 09:15 GMT - IMF approves $4.3bn emergency loan to South Africa The International Monetary Fund has approved a $4.3bn emergency loan to South Africa as it reels under the coronavirus pandemic. The country has the world's fifth-largest virus caseload, and confirmed cases are approaching half a million. The IMF said South Africa was seeing a "sharp economic contraction," though authorities responded swiftly to this latest crisis. The government weeks ago announced an historic $26bn economic relief package. A Flourish data visualisation 09:00 GMT - Rise in German virus numbers of 'great concern': health agency The rapid rise in Germany's coronavirus numbers is very worrying, the country's Robert Koch Institute for disease control said on Tuesday, urging citizens to keep their distance and wear face masks. "We must prevent that the virus once again spreads rapidly and uncontrollably," RKI head Lothar Wieler told reporters. "The latest developments in the number of COVID-19 cases is of great concern to me and all of us at the RKI," he said. Separately, Germany's foreign ministry updated its travel advisory, recommending against travel to three regions in northern Spain grappling with renewed outbreaks. The head of Germany's Robert Koch Institute, Lothar Wieler, addresses a news conference on the country's situation amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, in Berlin.[AFP] 08:45 GMT - Kenya extends coronavirus curfew, restricts alcohol sales Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has extended a nightly curfew and banned alcohol sales in restaurants as part of a bid to halt a steep rise in coronavirus cases. In a stern televised address to the nation on Monday, Kenyatta said a countrywide curfew from 9pm to 4am will remain in place for another 30 days and that "there shall be no sale of alcoholic beverages or drinks in eateries and restaurants" over the same period. Kenyatta asked police to enforce the curfew rule regardless of who was found breaking it [Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters] 08:30 GMT - Nissan forecasts $6.4bn annual net loss as virus bites Crisis-hit Japanese automaker Nissan has warned of a massive $6.4bn net loss for the current fiscal year as it reels from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Nissan, which had delayed an annual forecast because of ongoing uncertainty, issued the warning as it reported a first-quarter net loss of 285.6 billion yen ($2.7bn) on plunging sales. How the coronavirus outbreak is affecting the global economy | Counting the Cost 08:15 GMT - Indonesia reports 1,748 new infections Indonesia has reported 1,748 new coronavirus infections, bringing its tally to 102,051 confirmed cases overall, health ministry data showed. The number of deaths in the Southeast Asian nation related to COVID-19 rose by 63, bringing the total to 4,901. 08:00 GMT - Taiwan probes possible first local virus case in one month as imported cases rise Taiwan is investigating its first possible local coronavirus infection in more than a month, a Thai man who tested positive last week, as the island also faces a rise in cases brought from overseas. Taiwan's early response was effective in keeping the pandemic at bay, with just 467 infections and seven deaths. Most of the cases have been imported and have recovered. Until the Thai man's positive test, the island had not seen a local case of coronavirus infection since June 24. 07:45 GMT - Pakistan's daily COVID-19 infections drop below 1,000 The number of infections has dropped below 1,000 for the first time in three months in Pakistan. The country counted 936 new cases reported in the last 24 hours throughout the country of 220 million people. Dr Zafar Mirza, special assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan, tweeted praise for Khan, urging Pakistanis to wear masks as the "most effective practice to reduce the transmission of the disease". <351> Rise & fall in daily COVID-19 cases in Pakistan: on 14 June we had a peak of 6825 cases & in the last 24 hrs we had 936 cases in country - a decline of 86%. Last time we saw daily cases in three digits was almost 3 months ago, on 3 May. No place for any complacency please! pic.twitter.com/t8HzbDgLr0 — Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) July 28, 2020 07:30 GMT - Russia's coronavirus cases surpass 820,000 Russia has reported 5,395 new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing its nationwide tally to 823,515, the fourth largest in the world. Russia's coronavirus taskforce said 150 people had died over the last 24 hours, pushing the official death toll in the country of around 145 million people to 13,504. 07:15 GMT - South Africa nearing half-million virus cases South Africa is closing in on a half-million confirmed coronavirus cases as the country posted nearly 300 deaths in a single day. South Africa now has 452,529 cases and 7,067 deaths, making up more than half the reported cases on the African continent. It has the fifth-highest caseload in the world. Like many others, the country has struggled with trying to ease lockdown restrictions and then seeing cases rise. But businesses have expressed frustration as unemployment is now above 30 percent and likely to keep increasing. 07:00 GMT - France to reconsider plans to build fourth terminal at Paris airport The French government will reconsider plans to build a fourth terminal at the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport because of the impact of the coronavirus crisis, Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari has said. "The project to receive 40 million more passengers by 2030 is probably no longer justified as it was planned," Djebbari said on Europe 1 radio. He said French airports would still need investment for upgrades and would have to make sure that new types of planes, such as hydrogen-powered planes, can land. 06:45 GMT - Police arrest leader of Sydney protests against racism Police officers in Sydney have arrested a leader of an anti-racism protest and shut down the demonstration before it started after courts ruled the gathering in the city centre was illegal due to the coronavirus pandemic threat. Organiser Paddy Gibson was among six people arrested in a park known as The Domain before the rally was due to start at noon. Two police officers were photographed leading a defiant Gibson away. Police outnumbered protesters. Officers told demonstrators to move on as they arrived and the area was cleared 15 minutes before the scheduled start. 06:30 GMT - Vietnam locks down its 3rd-largest city as virus cases grow Vietnam has locked down its third-largest city for two weeks after 15 cases of COVID-19 were found in a hospital, the government said. Public transport into and out of the central city of Da Nang was cancelled. Over the weekend, thousands of mostly Vietnamese tourists had to end their summer holidays in the popular beach destination. The lockdown has dealt a hard blow to the tourism industry, which was just being revived after earlier coronavirus cases mostly subsided at the end of April. Can global tourism recover from the coronavirus lockdown? Hi, this is Elizabeth Melimopoulos in Doha taking over the live updates from my colleague Kate Mayberry  in Kuala Lumpur. 05:15 GMT - Najib crowd raises concerns about social distancing in Malaysia Hundreds of people turned out at the Kuala Lumpur court on Tuesday, as a judge prepared to deliver his verdict in the 1MDB-corruption case involving former prime minister Najib Razak. While many were wearing masks, not all were, and there was no physical distancing despite police announcements urging people to keep their distance. What are we doing? Behaviour of total denial in a major lethal Pandemic. Why did we not stop this? Where are the authorities? https://t.co/ZxHFxbse7E — Amar-Singh HSS (@DrAmarMOH) July 28, 2020 05:00 GMT - Red Cross urges vigilance in the Philippines The Red Cross in the Philippines is urging people to be more vigilant as COVID-19 cases in the country jump by more than a thousand each day, and an increasing number of hospitals are reporting they can no longer accommodate more patients More than 80,000 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, with more than 42,000 cases confirmed in July. "The biggest threat is complacency as we are far from being out of the woods," Philippine Red Chairman Richard Gordon said in a statement. "We need to act like we already have the virus and keep wearing face masks and practising proper handwashing and physical distancing." MEDIA RELEASE: Red Cross is urging everyone in the #Philippines to be even more vigilant as #COVID19 cases continue to jump by more than a thousand each day following the easing of quarantine restrictions: https://t.co/jAYiZToq69 pic.twitter.com/PT5EsfT6qy — IFRC Asia Pacific (@IFRCAsiaPacific) July 28, 2020 04:10 GMT - Japan ignores ridicule to press ahead with 'Abenomask' They might have been widely ridiculed as ineffective and a waste of money when first announced, but Japan is pushing ahead with plans to give 80 million "Abenomasks" to nursing homes and daycare centres. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters: "The masks are relatively low cost and help curb demand." Commercially-made masks are now readily available, even as cases climb, in Japan. 02:50 GMT - Australia's Morrison cuts short interstate tour because of coronavirus Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has cut short an interstate tour because of what he says is a "very complex" outbreak of coronavirus in nursing homes in the southern city of Melbourne, likely transmitted to them through the people working in the facilities. Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has said 769 cases have been linked to nursing homes. "I cannot stand here and tell you that I have confidence that staff and management across a number of private-sector aged care facilities are able to provide the care that is appropriate to keep their residents safe," Andrews told reporters. 02:30 GMT - Vietnam suspends Danang flights Vietnam has suspended all flights in and out of the central city of Danang after a sudden spike in coronavirus cases there, the first community infections since April. Flights will be suspended for 15 days, and train services have also been halted. An evacuation plan for local visitors to the popular tourist destination was announced yesterday. A staff member from Vietnam's Centre of Disease Control assists passengers at Danang international airport on July 27 2020 [Hoang Khanh/AFP] 02:15 GMT - China reports 68 new cases, all but four locally transmitted Mainland China has reported 68 new cases of coronavirus, 64 of them locally transmitted. Fifty-seven of the local cases were diagnosed in the far western region of Xinjiang, according to state media. No deaths from COVID-19 were reported anywhere in the country. Chinese mainland reported 68 new confirmed COVID-19 cases Monday, including four imported cases and 64 locally-transmitted ones https://t.co/nDvUWWbLkb pic.twitter.com/tfARS8Ott7 — China Xinhua News (@XHNews) July 28, 2020 02:05 GMT - Australia's Victoria reports 384 new cases The Australian state of Victoria has reported 384 new cases of coronavirus and six deaths in the past 24 hours. On Monday, the state reported a record 532 cases. 00:30 GMT - Peru says more than 900 women, girls feared dead Peru says more than 900 girls and women are feared to have died as a result of domestic violence during the country's extended coronavirus lockdown; some 70 percent of those missing were under the age of 18. "During the quarantine from March 16 to June 30, 915 women in Peru were reported missing," and feared dead, Elionar Revollar, the head of the women's rights office of the National Ombudsman was quoted as saying by AFP. The number of women reported missing each day has risen to eight compared with five before the pandemic. 00:15 GMT - UN warns on wasting, stunting The UN says nearly seven million more children will suffer stunting as a result of the coronavirus pandemic affecting food supplies. Writing in The Lancet, a team of experts modelled the impact on 118 poor and middle-income countries and found the prevalence of moderate or severe wasting among children under five would increase by 14.3 percent, or an extra 6.7 million cases. Wasting occurs when the body is so malnourished that muscles and fat begin to disappear.

Some police may have gone 'further than they should have', says government minister, amid concerns over civil liberties. A police officer speaks to a couple sat at a bench in the sunshine in Greenwich Park in London on March 26, 2020 after the government ordered a lockdown to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus [Ben Stansall/AFP] As Britons navigate their way around restrictions to try and contain the spread of the new coronavirus, there are growing fears that police officers are abusing their new powers. Some British police might have gone too far, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News on Tuesday, less than a week after the UK approved emergency legislation that gave police the power to issue instant 30-pound ($37) fines to people who gather in groups of more than two people or leave their homes without good reason such as for work, food-shopping or exercise. Britons will soon be able to test for coronavirus immunity: gov't As domestic abuse rises in lockdown, France to fund hotel rooms Coronavirus: Which countries have confirmed cases? "I am sure there are individual examples where perhaps you look at it and think that is perhaps a bit further than they should have gone but in general terms, I think the case is that if people help everybody out, including the police, by staying home and the rest of it, then there will be no problems," said Shapps. Some police have been accused of being overzealous by using drones to spy on people taking walks at nature spots and stopping dog-walkers from driving their pets to open spaces. There were reports they had even urged some shops not to sell Easter eggs because they were not essential items. "The tradition of policing in this country is that policemen are citizens in uniform, they are not members of a disciplined hierarchy operating just at the government's command," Jonathan Sumption, a former UK Supreme Court judge, told the BBC. "This is what a police state is like. It's a state in which the government can issue orders or express preferences with no legal authority and the police will enforce ministers' wishes." As the national conversation turned to the lockdown enforcement, #policestate trended on Twitter in the UK, with several users offering their views.  "In all this, we cannot forget the importance of our civil liberties. Whilst this does not mean we should be able to do whatever we want, it does mean that the police should not abuse their power in such a vulnerable time," said Twitter user Olivia Lewis.  Overnight 6 people have been summonsed for offences relating to the new corona virus legislation to protect the public: These included; Out for a drive due to boredom Returning from parties Multiple people from the same household going to the shops for non-essential items pic.twitter.com/FstjlfdEkD — Warrington Police (@PoliceWarr) March 29, 2020 Unlike other countries, forces in Britain "police by consent" and pride themselves on being answerable to the public and not the state. Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), said they were looking to ensure consistency in the police response as everyone got to grip with the new "unprecedented measures". "Our plan is that we will engage with people, we will explain the measures ... we will encourage people to go home but then as a very last resort we will enforce," he told BBC radio. The government drafted in the new regulations amid concern some Britons were failing to heed advice to avoid social gatherings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is causing controversy near me. I think it’s difficult for the police as ‘advice’ from the government has gone further than the legislation and so they are confusing the two pic.twitter.com/PixWspJDkg — Ms Counsel (@seeyouatthebar) March 30, 2020 The fast-tracked 329-page emergency bill faced little resistance in Parliament. Before the regulations were introduced, the opposition Labour Party's Lord Falconer of Thoroton said he supported the powers. "In normal times it would be utterly unacceptable. These are not normal times. As long as the emergency lasts and these powers are necessary, they should be available to the government." In recent interviews with Al Jazeera, human rights experts said draconian measures to contain the spread of coronavirus were understandable in the short term, even if they limited civil liberties, but warned global governments should not abuse their powers.

#stophumantrafficking Mr Harrison was arrested at Dublin Port after returning from France and Belgium on 26 October An Irish lorry driver, wanted over his alleged role in the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants in a lorry in October, has been extradited to the UK. Eight women and 31 men were found in the container in Essex on 23 October. Police said they died of lack of oxygen and overheating in an enclosed space. Eamonn Harrison, 23, from Mayobridge, County Down, is alleged to have driven the trailer to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge before it sailed to Purfleet in England. The bodies of 39 Vietnamese nationals were discovered in a refrigerated trailerEssex Police confirmed on Wednesday night that Mr Harrison was in their custody. He faces 39 charges of manslaughter as well as conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. He was arrested at Dublin Port on 26 October after returning from France and Belgium.

#facebook Facebook says it wants to root out any bias in its systems or policiesFacebook has acknowledged that it needs to do more to combat racism on its platforms and is setting up two groups to examine its policies and algorithms. Instagram's Equity Team and Facebook's Inclusive Product Council will look for bias in algorithms and work to make both platforms "safe and fair" for all. Facebook has been criticised for failure to crack down on racist groups. Others have complained about the suppression of black voices on Instagram. In a statement, Instagram's vice-president of product, Vishal Shah, said: "The racial justice movement is a moment of real significance for our company. Any bias in our systems and policies run counter to providing a platform for everyone to express themselves. "While we're always working to create a more equitable experience, we are setting up additional efforts to continue this progress." The details of how the two groups will work would be shared in coming months, Facebook said. According to the US Pew Research Center, half of black users turn to social media to express political views or get involved in issues that matter to them. Last month, Instagram's head Adam Mosseri acknowledged it was "hearing concerns about whether we suppress black voices and whether our products and policies treat everyone equally". Black people on the platform were "often harassed", fearful of being "shadow-banned" and disagreed with content takedowns, he said in a blog. Shadow-banning is the act of blocking a user's content without them realising - in Instagram's case, it means content won't appear on anyone's feed unless they follow you. Meanwhile rival platform Snap has launched its own investigation into racism within the company. It follows comments from ex-employees who alleged in a Mashable article in June that there was a racist culture at the firm. Snapchat has been criticised in the past for some of its filters, including one on the anniversary of the ending of slavery in the US which asked users to "smile and break the chains". The firm later apologised for any offence it might have caused. Previously it was criticised for one which contorted facial features and gave users the appearance of slanted eyes, while a Bob Marley filter was called out for encouraging blackface.

#WCNKnowYourRights Inspired by a video that I saw the other day, I thought it was about time that I helped you to understand your rights when it comes to photography. You probably aren’t aware of your rights as a photographer. But it’s becoming more and more important every day to know what you can and can’t do. Disclaimer: I am British and these rights are accurate as far as UK law is concerned. If you are American, there may be some discrepancies. Your Rights If you’re on public property, you can take photos of whatever you like. Whether it’s property or people, you don’t need anyone’s permission. Some people are going to tell you that you can’t take photos of private property, such as bank buildings and people’s houses. So long as you are on public property, you can. This means that you can take photos in public libraries, museums, government buildings, from the street and anywhere else public. The only case where you can’t take pictures is if there’s a specific law that prevents such shooting. You’re also allowed to take photos in private property that is open to public, such as shopping centers, malls, pubs, restaurants, etc. You will, however, have to stop if the owner/management ask you to. Sounds fair enough to me. You don’t need a person’s consent to take their photo if they are in a public place. They do, however, have a reasonable right to privacy, so you can’t be intrusive if they’re in a private place, such as their own home. This means that, if they’re walking down the street, you can take their photo. But you can’t peer through their living room window and start snapping. The word “terrorism” is one that comes up far too often with photography in a public place, such as in the video below. The truth is that it’s just used as a scare tactic to stop people from using their camera. Photography in a public place is not terrorist activity; the words should never be used for the sake of ‘security’, if you’re not breaking any laws. No one can make you stop filming them if you’re in a public place: it’s your right to do so. I’ve seen videos time and time again of people shouting, “you don’t have permission to film me, you need my permission” but the truth is that they’re uninformed on the subject. You can carry on as you like so long as you’re in a public place. Nobody can make you delete the photos you’ve already taken, even if you took them on private property without permission. Even a police officer would require a court order to take the camera off you if they’re not making an arrest. A common situation where I’ve seen the above happen is at concert. The venue can tell you that you don’t have permission to take photos. You should follow that rule as you’re on private property but they can’t then break further laws as a result. I’ve seen members of security delete photos and even take the camera away from the audience members. That is technically theft and destruction of personal property: not just a legal case but a civil one too. You don’t have to provide your ID to anyone (including security) unless they’re police officers in states/countries where the law dictates that you must. Tips for getting out of a sticky situation It’s your right to ask why they’re stopping you and you should take full advantage of this. Ask as many questions as you can to clarify your rights. For example, ask why they’re stopping you and if you can leave. Chances are, if you are allowed to leave, the problem is solved. If not, ask for the name of the person stopping you, whether it’s security or police (ignore all members of the public who try to do this), who their employer is and what legal purpose they have to stop you and/or confiscate your equipment. If that’s still not working, ask them to quote the exact laws that allow them to do what they’re doing. Chances are they can’t, as you’ll see in this article. Threats of public order, rights to privacy and terrorism are usually unfounded – the best way to get to the bottom of the threats is to ask lots of questions, which most people seem not to be able to answer. There are plenty of police officers who know your rights but a select few don’t. I’m not suggesting that you go up and start taking photos of police officers just because you can; they have a job to do too. When, and only when, you have a reason for taking these photos, you shouldn’t be afraid or deterred from doing so. News Reporter: Dwayne Hards

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#canada Refugees raise their hands as they illegally cross the US-Canada borderCanada's federal court has ruled that an asylum agreement the country has with the US is invalid because America violates the human rights of refugees. The Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA), in place since 2004, requires refugee claimants to request protection in the first safe country they reach. But on Wednesday, a judge declared the deal unconstitutional due to the chance that the US will imprison the migrants. The ruling marks a major victory for Canadian immigration activists. Lawyers for refugees who had been turned away at the Canadian border had challenged the agreement, arguing that the US did not qualify as "safe" for asylum seekers. Is Canada asking countries for a million immigrants? They lost fingers entering Canada. Then what happened? Nedira Jemal Mustefa, one of the refugees forced to remain in the US, told the court her time in US solitary confinement was "a terrifying, isolating and psychologically traumatic experience," according to the court ruling. "We're all too familiar with the treatment that the US metes out to asylum seekers," Maureen Silcoff, president of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, told Reuters news agency. The 5,525 mile (8,891 km) US-Canada border is the longest border between two countries in the world. What is the Safe Third Country Agreement? The Safe Third Country Agreement is a policy implemented to better manage refugee claims and to avoid so-called "asylum shopping" between countries. But it is also driving asylum seekers to make what the Canadian government calls "irregular" crossings to avoid being turned back at official border points. Media captionIn 2017, hundreds of migrants were illegally crossing the US border into Canada each daySince 2017, when President Donald Trump took office promising a crackdown on immigration, some 58,000 people have crossed into Canada from the US in that manner to make subsequent refugee claims. Canada had been processing their claims until the coronavirus pandemic, when the Canadian government said they would be turned back. There have been calls in Canada to suspend or renegotiate the agreement with the US. What did the judge say? Federal court judge Ann Marie McDonald ruled that the deal was in violation of a section of Canada's Charter of Rights that bans the government from interfering in the right to life, liberty and security. "It is my conclusion, based upon the evidence, that ineligible STCA claimants are returned to the US by Canadian officials where they are immediately and automatically imprisoned by US authorities," Judge McDonald said in her ruling. "I have concluded that imprisonment and the attendant consequences are inconsistent with the spirit and objective of the STCA and are a violation of the rights guaranteed by section 7 of the [Charter of Rights and Freedoms]," she continued. But the judge delayed the ruling for six months to allow Canada's parliament and the US Congress to respond. The ruling can also be appealed. US immigration authorities not have yet to comment on the ruling. A spokeswoman for the Canadian Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness told BBC News that they are "aware of the Federal Court's decision and are currently reviewing it". 'I lost all my fingers': Asylum seekers make dangerous border crossing

President Donald Trump says his administration will send "a surge" of federal agents to US cities in an anti-crime initiative, Operation Legend. Speaking from the White House, Mr Trump said he had "no choice" but to deploy hundreds of federal agents to Chicago. The Republican is also sending federal officers to two other Democratic-run cities, Albuquerque and Kansas City. Federal officers are already in Portland, Oregon, where the mayor says they are making ongoing protests worse. US Attorney General William Barr, who joined Mr Trump at Wednesday's announcement, said they had already sent about 200 federal agents to Kansas City, would send a "comparable" number to Chicago, and about 35 others to Albuquerque. President Trump is adopting a law-and-order posture as he runs for re-election in November amid ongoing racial justice protests that have sometimes descended into civil disorder. On Tuesday night, federal agents fired tear gas, pepper balls and flashbangs at demonstrators in central Portland, which has seen 54 consecutive night of protests.  Federal agents in Portland on Tuesday nightThe officers quickly used crowd-control munitions in an attempt to disperse hundreds of people gathered outside a federal court. The agents have been accused of driving in unmarked vehicles around Oregon's biggest city while wearing military fatigues and arbitrarily arresting a handful of demonstrators. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot confirmed on Tuesday that federal agents would be deployed to her city to beef up local police. "We welcome actual partnership, but we do not welcome dictatorship," Ms Lightfoot told a news conference, warning that the federal officers should not try the same tactics they have used in Portland. Mr Trump often highlights Chicago's gun violence epidemic and he did so again on Wednesday. "This rampage of violence shocks the conscience of our nation," he said.

#WCNphotography An alarming percentage of private businesses don`t like being filmed or photographed, but is it illegal? as there is no offence related to filming in public except for terrorist or criminal purposes then = NO It is not illegal to film except in places like swimming pools without consent. But in order to delete someones images or videos Police MUST get a Court Order authorised by a judge. As you own all rights to them as you photographed them so this would be theft and copyright infringement. Some car drivers don`t like being filmed but it is not illegal and some drivers get very annoyed when somebody films there car or them Dwayne Hards who went out to do a documentary was told to delete his images and as he didn`t know the law he did! Dwayne also added "I regret deleting MY Photos as I was not obliged to and I WAS CONNED! In future I will call the police if they say it`s illegal just to get them to leave me be." 100% Correct choice Dwayne. It is not illegal to take photographs or video footage in public places unless it is for criminal or terrorist purposes. There will be places where you have access as a member of the public, but will have to ask permission or may be prevented altogether. These could include stately homes, museums, churches, shopping malls, railway stations and council / government buildings. You need to check the situation out on a case by case basis. The taking of photographs of an individual without their consent is a civil matter. Taking a photo of a person where they can expect privacy (inside their home or garden) is likely to be a breach of privacy laws. The other issue to consider is what you plan to do with the photograph afterwards. If the picture is of an individual, perhaps as a portrait or character study, and you intend to publish it in any way (on the internet, in a book or at a gallery), it would be appropriate and may avoid unnecessary complications if you ask that person for permission, many media organisations are international and will not accept an identifiable photograph of a person without a signed release. If the photo could be seen as defamatory in some way then you would leave yourself open to civil proceedings. The country is in a heightened state of alert (and will be for many years) because of potential terrorist attacks. So called 'soft targets' are particularly vulnerable. Security staff, the general public and police are much more aware of anyone taking photographs and you may be approached by someone, such as the police, when you are taking photographs near or in potential targets. Generally the police cannot seize the camera or memory card unless you are committing an offence or suspected of terrorist activity. Finally, it is a specific offence to elicit information (which would include photographs) about members of armed forces, police officers or the intelligence services, which is likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, or publishes or communicates information of that kind. The law does not state that the person who gets the information has to use the information for terrorism purposes, just that the information is likely to be useful to a terrorist.There is a defence of 'reasonable excuse' for this offence, but it would be for the suspect / defendant to raise this matter. Photographers need to be aware of this provision and be cautious when taking such photographs. The sort of occasion when it could cause a problem may be, for example, at an anti-war protest, when there may be a number of counter terrorism and intelligence operatives working in the area. If an officer makes an arrest for this offence it could cause a lot of unnecessary time wasted for both the officer and yourself, albeit that may only be until the facts are clarified. The Police may seize your Camera or Phone as Evidence if they have reasonable beliefs that it has evidence on your device. For example a Crime, Terrorism, Personal Injury, Assault, Evidence of an offence. WCN news

The offer was made after China imposed a sweeping new security law on Hong KongThe UK government has unveiled the conditions under which almost three million Hong Kong residents will be able to start on a path to citizenship. Hong Kong's British National (Overseas) passport holders and their immediate dependants will have the right to apply for a special UK visa from January, Home Secretary Priti Patel said. The offer comes after China imposed a sweeping new security law in Hong Kong. Beijing has previously warned the UK not to meddle in domestic issues. Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in May that all British National (Overseas) - or BNO - passport holders "are Chinese nationals" and the move would "violate international law". However, Ms Patel said on Wednesday that the offer meant the UK was "keeping our promise" to Hong Kong residents "to uphold their freedoms". What are the conditions to get the special visa? BNO holders already have the right to visit the UK visa-free for six months. However, this will now allow them to apply for two periods of 30 months' leave or five years' leave to remain in the UK, and then eventually become full British citizens. Media captionTea, drugs and war: Hong Kong's British history explainedBNO holders are able to bring immediate dependants, including a spouse who does not have the passport, along with children under the age of 18. No one born after 1997 is entitled to a BNO passport, and it does not pass down through the generations. However, holders' children who were born in 1997 or later and are older than 18 will be able to apply if they are part of a family unit. Read more about Hong Kong's new security law RISING TENSIONS: The Hong Kong crisis and the new world order THE NEW LAW: What it is and why Hong Kong is worried WHAT COULD HAPPEN: Life sentences for breaking the law and more Applicants do not have to have a job before arriving in the UK, and there is no minimum salary attached to the visa. However, the passport holders must be able to support themselves financially and will not qualify for benefits. They will need to have a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate and no serious convictions, though those convicted only of offences related to the recent demonstrations in Hong Kong will still qualify. They also need to show a commitment to learn English. Why is the UK offering the special visa? Hong Kong is a former British colony, which was handed back to China in 1997. But before Hong Kong was returned, the UK and China made an agreement to introduce "one country, two systems", which meant, among other things, rights such as freedom of assembly, free speech and freedom of the press would be protected. What is the BNO and what does the UK move mean? Why we are taking our BNOs and leaving The agreement signed in 1984 was set to last until 2047. But the UK says this agreement - known as the Joint Declaration - is under threat because the territory passed a new law in June that gives China sweeping new controls over the people of Hong Kong. What is the new security law? The new, wide ranging law: Makes "inciting hatred" of China's central government and Hong Kong's regional government illegal Allows for closed-door trials, wire-tapping of suspects and the potential for suspects to be tried on the mainland Means a wide range of acts, including damaging public transport facilities, can be considered terrorism Requires internet providers to hand over data if requested by police China has said the law is necessary to prevent the type of protests seen in Hong Kong during much of 2019. However, the law has caused alarm both in Hong Kong and abroad, with opponents saying it erodes the territory's freedoms as a semi-autonomous region of China. You may also be interested in... Media captionHong Kong activist Joshua Wong believes he is now being followed after the new security law was passed.

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#WCNThanksNHS An incredible team of St John Ambulance volunteers from Sussex who raised £105,000 for a new ambulance have been praised for their extraordinary efforts. The ‘Sussex Ambulance Appeal’ was launched in June 2019 at an inaugural fundraising lunch hosted by St John Ambulance County President Caroline Lucas. Over the last year and with a fundraising committee in place, various activities drove the appeal forward. The health and first aid charity, which has been actively supporting the NHS on the frontline in Sussex during the COVID-19 pandemic, received several donations, including: £20,000 from the Sussex Masonic Charities; £8000 from local fundraising by the Southwick St John unit; £700 from Littlehampton St John unit’s open day; and, £1,000 from a raffle. A second fundraising lunch was planned for this month but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many attendees donated their ticket money to the appeal; the response was over-whelming and donations kept coming in until the target of £105,000 was met. To celebrate the achievements of all those who supported the appeal, a ‘virtual lunch’ was held earlier this month. Speaking at the event, Caroline Lucas, from St John Ambulance, said: “I would like to thank the wonderful team who have supported this appeal – all the volunteers, the units, and those who have chosen to donate such generous sums of money - it’s been absolutely incredible.” And, Martin Houghton-Brown, CEO of St John Ambulance, added: “I must pay tribute to Caroline and her fundraising committee – largely for their enthusiasm and energy, and not letting up in their efforts to achieve their goal. It’s an incredible achievement to have reached this fundraising total in such a short amount of time.” The ambulance, which is a new design for St John, will be delivered in January and has many benefits, including being a lighter model, enabling anyone with a normal driving licence to drive the vehicle, reducing training costs for the charity. The design of the 3.5 tonne box body ambulance will enable it to be used across both St John’s emergency response and first aid event work. Its interior offers a larger working space, making it possible to operate as a multi-functional vehicle, including carrying bariatric patients. Caroline added: “It’s my belief that many were inspired to donate to St John after hearing about our wonderful volunteers and their incredible work, right here in the heart of our community, during the pandemic. They continue to inspire us all as they volunteer day in, day out, supporting the NHS at The Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and The Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. They have helped us to get ‘over the line’ in this fundraising appeal and I’d like to thank them and everyone who made this huge achievement possible.” For more information on St John Ambulance, including how to make a donation, volunteering opportunities, and details of training for the public, schools and businesses, visit www.sja.org.uk.

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Official guidance on revised rules for face coverings in England is due to be published Coverings will be compulsory in shops from Friday - but businesses say the message on the issue has been confusing UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in Scotland and has said the pandemic shows "sheer might of the union" A relaxation of shielding rules in Scotland will allow indoor visits from Friday Basic income would allow 2.7 billion people to stay at home, a UN Development Programme report says The cost of the pandemic has pushed Australia into its biggest budget deficit since World War Two Globally there have been 15 million cases of Sars-Cov-2 and more than 622,000 deaths.