- NewsThe Telegraph
New Covid lockdown rules for England: what you can and can't do from Thursday
In his latest press conference on Saturday, October 31st, Boris Johnson announced a new national lockdown across the UK, after a rapid rise in coronavirus cases. The new measures will come into effect on Thursday, November 5th and will last until December 2nd. Determined to "save Christmas", the Prime Minister has been forced to act after Britain's infections increased and Tier 3 restrictions across much of England failed to stem the spread. Johnson's announcement came on the same day the UK surpassed 1 million lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus. When will it start? Alongside the chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that a nationwide lockdown will begin on Thursday, November 5th. The measures will last throughout the entire month of November, and will end on Wednesday, December 2nd. After this date, different parts of the country will adopt an exit strategy, which will continue to follow the restrictions from the previous tier system, depending on the severity of infection in the local area. Read more: National lockdown – what the latest measures could mean for you What measures have been announced? The latest measures surpass ' Tier 4' measures, as the previous tier system was unsuccessful in stopping the spread of the virus. The key restrictions from the new lockdown include: They include: The closure of all pubs, bars and restaurants, though takeaways and deliveries will be permitted All non-essential retail will close A ban on the mixing of households, except for support or childcare reasons A restriction on travel, including outbound international travel (except for work). Travel within the UK is also discouraged. These severe measures mirror the the first lockdown, when Britons were told they could not leave home except to shop for necessities, to exercise once a day or for medical care. However, unlike the first lockdown, nurseries, schools, collages and universities will remain open.
- CelebrityThe Telegraph
Tributes paid to 'best Bond ever' as Sir Sean Connery dies aged 90
Sir Sean Connery has been declared the "best James Bond ever" as actors, film producers, politicians and fans paid tribute to one of the world's most-known movie stars. The 90-year-old Scottish actor, the first to play 007 on the big screen, died peacefully in his sleep in Nassau in the Bahamas, surrounded by his family, it was announced on Saturday. His son Jason, 57, said: “We are all working at understanding this huge event as it only happened so recently, even though my dad has been unwell for some time. “A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor.” Tributes poured in from across the world from those connected to his five decade-long career and appearances in Ian Fleming’s spy thrillers. The current Bond actor, Daniel Craig, used the character’s official Twitter account to express his sadness at “the passing of one of the true greats of cinema”, adding how Sir Sean “defined an era and a style”. He explained how the “wit and charm he portrayed on screen could be measured in megawatts” and he would “continue to influence actors and filmmakers” for generations to come. “Wherever he is, I hope there is a golf course,” Craig added.
- NewsThe Independent
Solidarity with Jeremy Corbyn and to hell with useless Keir Starmer
Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk
- NewsThe Independent
Second national lockdown: What is likely to close and remain open?
From pubs and restaurants to schools, here is everything we know so far
- CelebrityYahoo Celebrity UK
Phil Collins' ex-wife agrees to leave his Miami mansion she'd been living in with new husband
Orianne Cevey-Collins, has agreed to move out of Phil Collins' $40 million Miami mansion she's been living in with her new husband Thomas Bates
- PoliticsThe Independent
2020 polls: Shock poll puts Trump ahead in Pennsylvania and Michigan - prompting expert row
Follow the latest updates
- NewsThe Telegraph
China destroys domes of famous mosques as cultural whitewash continues
China’s campaign to suppress Islam is accelerating as authorities remove Arab-style onion domes and decorative elements from mosques across the country. Stark changes have been observed at the main mosque in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia province, where most of China’s Hui ethnic Muslim minority live. The bright green onion-shaped domes and golden minarets that used to soar into the sky atop Nanguan Mosque have all been pulled down. Golden Islamic-style filigree, decorative arches, and Arabic script that before adorned the mosque have also been stripped away. What remains is unrecognisable – a drab, gray, rectangular facility with “Nanguan Mosque” written in Chinese, as shown in photos posted online by Christina Scott, the UK’s deputy head of mission in China, on a recent trip. “TripAdvisor suggested the Nanguan Mosque in Yinchuan well worth a visit,” Ms Scott wrote on Twitter, along with ‘before and after’ photos. “Only this is what it looks now, after ‘renovations.’ Domes, minarets, all gone. No visitors allowed either, of course. So depressing.”
