Labour accuses Rishi Sunak of being ‘slippery’ over Covid inquiry messages – UK politics live

Labour accuses prime minister of being ‘slippery’ over Covid inquiry messages Good morning and welcome to the UK politics live blog. We begin the day with the Labour party accusing Rishi Sunak of being “slippery” in the row over whether the government will hand over Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages and other documents to the Covid … Read more

Australian government ‘COVID overreach’ causes stage four cancer diagnosis

Sky News host Chris Kenny says Kellie Finlayson’s cancer diagnosis went undetected for three years due to the Australian government’s “COVID overreach” and how we ignored important health priorities in “obsession” with the pandemic. “I brought you the tragic story earlier this month of Kellie Finlayson … who faced a stage four cancer diagnosis, what … Read more

Doctor dog: how our canine companions can help us detect COVID and other diseases

While we humans generally experience the world through sight, dogs use scent to learn about the environment around them. What their nose knows is crucial for finding food, mates and safe spaces. Our furry friends can also use their sniffing power to learn how people are feeling. For example, they can detect the scent of … Read more

Cabinet Office and Boris Johnson at war over Covid inquiry information

The Cabinet Office and Boris Johnson are at loggerheads over a trove of information requested by the Covid inquiry, as officials said they did not have the material but allies of the former prime minister insisted he had shown it to government lawyers. The cache is at the centre of a huge battle after the … Read more

What is the standoff between Covid inquiry and Cabinet Office about?

Wrangling over Boris Johnson’s notebooks and WhatsApp messages continues in earnest, with the government and the official Covid inquiry locked in a standoff over what should be shared. What has the inquiry asked for? A vast trove of documents was requested by Heather Hallett, the chair of the public inquiry into the government’s handling of … Read more

Wuhan lab leak ‘should not be ruled out’ over Covid origins – top China official

One of the most important players in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic put the spotlight again on the possibility the crisis may have originated from an unwanted lab leak. Professor George Gao, who served as Director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from August 2017 to July 2022, said nothing … Read more

Deadline looms for Covid inquiry to receive unredacted messages sent by Boris Johnson – UK politics live

Good morning. Like the aftermath of a bad-tempered bank holiday barbeque, the start of this four day week begins with a stand-off with neither side backing down. The deadline for unredacted messages between Boris Johnson and the government to be sent to the Covid inquiry closes at 4pm. So far the Cabinet Office and Johnson … Read more

Covid inquiry legal battle looms over Johnson WhatsApp requests

Ministers could be set for a legal battle with the Covid-19 inquiry over the requested release of unredacted WhatsApp messages and diaries belonging to Boris Johnson. The Cabinet Office has until 4pm on Tuesday to respond to the request from Lady Hallett’s official inquiry. There has so far been little sign that ministers are set … Read more

India Reports 224 New Covid Cases, 1 Death In Last 24 Hours

The total tally of Covid cases was recorded at 4.49 crore. (File) New Delhi: India saw a single-day rise of 224 fresh coronavirus cases while active cases have decreased to 4,503, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Tuesday. The death count has increased to 5,31,867 with one death, the data updated at … Read more

Virginia church’s Memorial Day concert honors lives lost to COVID, Ukraine war alongside service members

A church Memorial Day concert honored victims of the coronavirus and the Russia-Ukraine war along with fallen U.S. service members on Saturday. Vienna, Virginia’s Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church promoted its event as a free, public concert featuring a 20-piece professional orchestra to commemorate the holiday.  “This Memorial Day Weekend event will give people the … Read more

Cabinet Office at loggerheads with Covid inquiry over Boris Johnson’s messages

Ministers are holding firm against demands from the Covid inquiry to release all of Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages. The Cabinet Office has until 4pm tomorrow to respond to the request or risk legal action. It has refused to hand over the messages on the grounds it would be a “serious intrusion of privacy” and warns … Read more