General news

• The Guardian view on PM's Covid plan: A risky bet on vaccines

  22-02-2021 20:34 via theguardian.com
  
  The more we allow infections to rise and the virus to replicate, the greater the chance that new variants will arrive that have the ability to evade our defencesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBoris Johnson stood at the dispatch box on Monday with a plan to come out of a national lockdown. One might be forgiven for experiencing a sense of deja vu. Mr Johnson has been here twice before. This time was different. There were no jokes about ordering a pint to celebra
  
  Read more

• Lockdown POLL: With the end in sight, should penalties for Covidiots be increased?

  04-03-2021 01:00 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  LOCKDOWN will finally begin to end next week after weeks of battling valiantly against the coronavirus pandemic, but with people again increasingly flouting the rules, should penalties for "Covidiots" be increased?
  
  Read more

• Alastair Campbell claims 'organised crime rejoicing' at Sunak’s vision for Brexit Britain

  04-03-2021 00:01 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  ALASTAIR CAMPBELL bizarrely claimed that organised criminals are "rejoicing" at Rishi Sunak's budget which he said is abusing Brexit to turn the UK into a tax haven.
  
  Read more

• BBC branded 'gated community for privileged' as Mike Graham explodes in furious rant

  03-03-2021 23:21 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  MIKE GRAHAM has branded the BBC a "gated community for privileged" as he claimed the broadcaster its staff are part of the "elite".
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Woke left-wing warriors must not ‘bully’ UK into erasing its history - Culture Secretary

  03-03-2021 23:16 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  WOKE left-wing warriors shouldn't be allowed to "bully" the UK's museums and cultural institutions into erasing Britain's past, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said.
  
  Read more

• Coronavirus live news: Brazil sets new grim record with 1,910 deaths in 24 hours; Greece extends lockdown

  03-03-2021 22:39 via theguardian.com
  
  Brazil suffers another day of record Covid losses; Greece prolongs lockdown to 16 MarchSao Paulo to shut bars and shops as pandemic snowballsmore infectious variants spark new rise in cases in Serbia Denmark under pressure to drop Israel vaccine cooperation Dutch Covid test centre hit by suspected bomb attackGerman doctors broach ‘taboo’ subject of Covid toll on minority groupsUK unions attack ‘sinister’ plan to force NHS staff to have vaccine See all our coronavirus cove
  
  Read more

• What time do Royal Mail stop delivering?

  03-03-2021 22:31 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  ROYAL MAIL has suffered setbacks due to the pandemic, but as essential workers, postmen and women will continue to deliver. What time does Royal Mail stop delivering?
  
  Read more

• Crystal Palace v Manchester United: Premier League – live!

  03-03-2021 22:22 via theguardian.com
  
  Premier League updates from the 8.15pm GMT kick-offLive scores: goals from the matches in the UK and EuropeGet in touch! Email Nick or tweet @NickAmes82 9.22pm GMT 51 min: Ayew flashes an angled shot straight at Henderson after good work from Benteke. Nice spell from Palace. 9.21pm GMT 50 min: Benteke takes a ball down well in the box, can’t make space for a shot or locate a teammate, but wins a corner. It’s worked short and Van Aanholt wins another. This time it’s straight int
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Coronavirus live news: Greece extends lockdown; Brazilian state announces shutdown amid spiralling cases

  03-03-2021 22:18 via theguardian.com
  
  Greece prolongs lockdown to 16 March; Sao Paulo to shut bars and shops as pandemic snowballsmore infectious variants spark new rise in cases in Serbia Denmark under pressure to drop Israel vaccine cooperation Dutch Covid test centre hit by suspected bomb attackGerman doctors broach ‘taboo’ subject of Covid toll on minority groupsUK unions attack ‘sinister’ plan to force NHS staff to have vaccine See all our coronavirus coverage9.11pm GMT8.46pm GMT The Czech Republic launc
  
  Read more

• Biden accuses Republicans of 'Neanderthal thinking' for lifting mask mandates – live

  03-03-2021 22:16 via theguardian.com
  
  President criticizes Republican governors who rescinded mask mandatesCuomo says he will not quit over sexual harassment allegationsPolice aware of ‘possible plot to breach Capitol’ tomorrowBiden backs narrower eligibility for stimulus checks
  Sign up to receive First Thing – our daily briefing by email9.16pm GMT House leaders are reportedly discussing the possibility of wrapping up their voting for the week tonight, so members do not have to return to Capitol Hill tomorrow.If Ho
  
  Read more

• Spend now, pay later: Sunak flags major tax rises as Covid bill tops

  03-03-2021 22:13 via theguardian.com
  
  Middle-earners and businesses told they will pay for government’s fight against pandemicBudget 2021: key points at a glanceRishi Sunak has told Britain’s businesses and millions of middle-earners they will pay the price of the government’s year long fight against Covid-19 with a spend now, pay later budget that combines life-support for the economy with the biggest tax increases since 1993.Delivering his second budget, the chancellor said he would “go long,” extendi
  
  Read more

• Andrew Cuomo says he will not quit over sexual harassment allegations

  03-03-2021 22:13 via theguardian.com
  
  New York governor apologizes for ‘acting in a way that made people feel uncomfortable’ but insists he will not step downAndrew Cuomo said on Wednesday he would not resign as New York governor following the emergence of sexual harassment allegations. Related: Andrew Cuomo apologizes over sexual harassment reports but insists 'I'm not going to resign' – liveContinue reading...
  
  Read more

• Fran Kirby strike helps Chelsea defeat Atlético Madrid despite Ingle red card

  03-03-2021 22:02 via theguardian.com
  
  A Maren Mjelde penalty and low strike from Fran Kirby helped a resilient Chelsea take control of their last-16 Champions League tie with Atlético Madrid after the home side were reduced to 10 players early on.Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero as her two penalty saves, the first following the sending off of Wales international Sophie Ingle and the second after she came hurtling out erratically to claim a through ball, gave the Blues time to regroup after the early shock and then ke
  
  Read more

• Man armed with axe injures eight in possible terrorist attack in Sweden

  03-03-2021 21:49 via theguardian.com
  
  A man in his 20s is in custody after being shot in the leg by police following the attack in Vetlanda
  A man armed with an axe has attacked and injured eight people in a southern Sweden town in what authorities called a suspected terrorist crime.Police said the man in his 20s attacked people in the small town of Vetlanda, about 190 km (118 miles) southeast of Göteborg (Gothenburg), Sweden’s second largest city, on Wednesday afternoon. His motive was not immediately known. Continue read
  
  Read more

• Biden criticizes Republican governors over decision to end mask mandates

  03-03-2021 21:33 via theguardian.com
  
  President said US ‘on the cusp’ of being able to change nature of Covid but ‘the last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking’Joe Biden criticized Republican governors of Texas and Mississippi on Wednesday, calling their decisions to end state-wide mask mandates “a big mistake”.The US president said the country was on the “cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease” with the distribution of vaccines and added: “The la
  
  Read more

• London stabbing horror: Man stabbed to death in Croydon - murder probe launched

  03-03-2021 21:17 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  POLICE have launched a murder investigation after a man, believed to be a teenager, was stabbed to death in south London.
  
  Read more

• Steve Bell on Rishi Sunak's budget and Boris Johnson's renovations - cartoon

  03-03-2021 21:15 via theguardian.com
  
  Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Kelechi Iheanacho's screamer for Leicester lights up draw at Burnley

  03-03-2021 21:10 via theguardian.com
  
  Kelechi Iheanacho’s sweetly struck equaliser illuminated an oddity of a match: open yet lacking copious goalscoring chances, much of the action occurring between the two boxes. Related: Crystal Palace v Manchester United: Premier League – live!Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• EU says plan to extend Brexit grace period breaks international law

  03-03-2021 21:09 via theguardian.com
  
  EU says move to exempt goods entering Northern Ireland from checks is ‘violation’ of withdrawal treaty
  The British government has been accused of breaking international law for a second time by the European commission after ministers said the UK would unilaterally act to give Northern Ireland businesses time to adapt to post-Brexit rules.In a damning statement, Maroš Šefčovič, the vice-president of the commission, said a move announced by Northern Ireland secr
  
  Read more

• Paris Louvre recovers 16th-century armour stolen nearly 40 years ago

  03-03-2021 21:07 via theguardian.com
  
  Antiques expert alerted police after being called in to advise on an inheritance in BordeauxThe Louvre museum in Paris has announced the recovery of a set of gold and silver-encrusted Renaissance-era armour – nearly 40 years after it was stolen.A military antiques expert alerted police after being called in to give advice regarding an inheritance in Bordeaux in January and becoming suspicious about the luxurious helmet and body armour in the family’s collection. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• What impact is the Salmond saga having on the drive for independence?

  03-03-2021 21:05 via theguardian.com
  
  SNP insiders accept that Sturgeon’s public grilling will raise the row higher in the public’s mindsWith the Scottish parliament elections only eight weeks away, the immediate political cost of the Salmond saga to the party he led for over two decades may be evident soon enough.There has been much commentary about whether this crisis is cutting through to voters. Nicola Sturgeon enjoys a high approval rating, largely because of her perceived competence in handling coronavirus, and the
  
  Read more

• ‘Open hostility’: an extraordinary episode in the Sussexes’ royal drama

  03-03-2021 21:02 via theguardian.com
  
  Analysis: after Buckingham Palace’s remarkable intervention, the war of words is unlikely to die down In another age, it is likely claims of bullying within the royal household would never have emerged into public view.On Wednesday, they were not just publicised, but were the subject of an extraordinary conflict between the royal family and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – with the early-evening intervention from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday likely to ensure maximum prominence in T
  
  Read more

• Sheffield United hang on to beat Aston Villa despite Phil Jagielka's VAR red

  03-03-2021 21:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Ten-man Sheffield United kept their faint hopes of a miraculous escape from relegation alive after bravely hanging on to defeat Aston Villa. David McGoldrick’s first-half strike proved to be enough to ensure only a fourth league win of the season for the Blades, while also putting a dent in Villa’s hopes of qualifying for Europe next season.But how Chris Wilder’s side had to do it the hard way, after Phil Jagielka was sent off for a foul on Anwar El Ghazi with over half an hour
  
  Read more

• Late Night Staring at High Res Pixels review – moreish frenemies drama

  03-03-2021 21:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Available online
  As two women compete for the attentions of a middle-aged man, Athena Stevens’ production explores abuse and complicityEverything about Late Night Staring at High Res Pixels is sleek and stylish apart from its ungainly title. Conceived for the stage but repurposed for online viewing, it resembles a Netflix series that knows just how to lure us in.It’s divided into 28 bite-size chunks of drama that were streamed in nightly episodes on the Finborough theatre’s You
  
  Read more

• The Guardian view on Rishi Sunak's budget: Britain will go backwards with tax rises and spending cuts | Editorial

  03-03-2021 20:59 via theguardian.com
  
  The chancellor would like Britain’s relief response to be seen like Joe Biden’s in the US. But President Biden believes in the power of government, Mr Sunak does notRishi Sunak, the chancellor, has emerged in recent months with the plausible aura of a future Tory leader. This budget was a crucial one for two reasons. First, it was the biggest fiscal event since the UK left the orbit of the European Union. Second, it is dawning on Britons that they can see beyond the shadow of coronav
  
  Read more

• The Guardian view on the pope in Iraq: in the footsteps of Abraham | Editorial

  03-03-2021 20:57 via theguardian.com
  
  The first papal visit to Iraq can promote inter-faith dialogue in an age of religious polarisationThe lead-up to the first-ever papal visit to Iraq has been somewhat overshadowed by concerns over its timing. Last month, a surge of coronavirus cases led the Iraqi government to impose a partial lockdown and curfew. The Vatican’s ambassador to Iraq, Archbishop Mitja Leskovar, is currently self-isolating after testing positive for Covid, and there are fears that crowds enthusiastic to see Pope
  
  Read more

• 'Super deduction' may not be the most effective use of a £25bn tax break

  03-03-2021 20:54 via theguardian.com
  
  Chancellor’s eye-catching policy could end up rewarding investment that would have happened anywayRishi Sunak flags tax rises in budget as total Covid spending tops £400bnBudget 2021: key points at a glanceOne can usually take a mental break when the budget speech turns to capital allowances. It’s the tinkering bit. This time was different. Rishi Sunak’s “super deduction” regime will allow businesses to offset 130% of investment spending on plant and machinery
  
  Read more

• Greensill crisis spreads as Bank of England and German regulator take action

  03-03-2021 20:46 via theguardian.com
  
  Uncertainty over lender’s future poses threat to investors, business borrowers and nearly 50,000 jobsFounder facing sudden fall to earthThe crisis at the troubled lender Greensill Capital has spread after the Bank of England took action against one of the firm’s major business partners, and German regulators banned its local subsidiary from doing business and reportedly filed a criminal complaint against management.It is the latest blow to the supply chain finance firm, which counts
  
  Read more

• Dishi Rishi the influencer falls flat in his big budget moment

  03-03-2021 20:41 via theguardian.com
  
  Somehow giving his speech in the Commons just wasn’t the same as leaking it on social mediaNot so much a chancellor, more a lifestyle coach. When Rishi Sunak gave his first budget just a year ago, he was the ingenue stand-in for Sajid Javid who had had a major strop. Now he is a brand, – complete with his own range of merchandise. The ath-leisure hoody. The fragrance “Dishi par Rishi”. The conscious coupling to produce his own scented candle with Gwyneth’s Goop.But
  
  Read more

• Buckingham Palace to investigate bullying allegations against Meghan

  03-03-2021 20:41 via theguardian.com
  
  Palace says its HR team will look into the circumstances around claims made against the Duchess of SussexBuckingham Palace is to investigate allegations of bullying against the Duchess of Sussex by former royal staff, it announced on Wednesday, as relations between members of the royal family appeared to descend to new lows.In a highly unusual statement, the palace said it was “very concerned” by a report in the Times of claims that Meghan had driven out two personal assistants durin
  
  Read more

Follow @generalnews_UK on Twitter!