WORLD

The Hong Kong government has postponed September’s parliamentary elections by a year, saying it is necessary amid a rise in coronavirus infections. Hong Kong is currently experiencing a spike in Covid-19 infections and reported 121 new cases on Friday. However, the opposition has accused the government of using the pandemic …

Grime artist Solo 45 has been jailed for 24 years for raping four women and holding them against their will. The 33-year-old, whose real name is Andy Anokye, was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court of 30 charges relating to a two-year period. These were 21 rapes, five counts of false imprisonment, two counts of …

Donald Trump has called for November’s presidential election to be postponed, saying increased postal voting could lead to fraud and inaccurate results. He suggested a delay until people can “properly, securely and safely” vote. There is little evidence to support Mr Trump’s claims but he has long railed against mail-in …

President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, has tested positive for coronavirus, the White House has confirmed. Mr O’Brien, 54, has been self-isolating and working from home. The aide has mild symptoms and there was no risk of exposure to Mr Trump or Vice-President Mike Pence, a statement said. …

American diplomatic staff have left their consulate in the Chinese city of Chengdu, after a 72-hour deadline expired. China ordered the closure in response to the US closing the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas, last week. Before Monday’s deadline, staff were seen leaving the building, a plaque was removed, and a US …

China has ordered the closure of the US consulate in the south-western city of Chengdu, in a tit-for-tat escalation between the two countries. China said the move was in response to the US closing its consulate in Houston, and accused staff in Chengdu of meddling in its internal affairs. Secretary …

A Chinese scientist suspected of visa fraud and concealing ties to the military has fled to China’s consulate in San Francisco, the US says. Prosecutors allege that the case is part of a Chinese programme to send undercover army scientists to the US. On Wednesday the Trump administration ordered the …

The US has ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, Texas, by Friday – a move described as “political provocation” by Beijing. The US State Department said the decision was taken “in order to protect American intellectual property”. But China’s foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said it was “outrageous …

The UK Government is increasing the salary of public sector workers due to the impact of Coronavirus. Teachers, Doctors, Police, Arm Forces among others would have a pay rise, the Chancellor has announced today 21st July 2020. Reflecting the vital contributions public sector workers make to our country, these pay rises …

The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has hit 601,213, according to the tally by Johns Hopkins University. Meanwhile, The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has hit 14.2 million, while more than 7.9 million people have recovered. US deaths from the novel coronavirus exceeded 140,000 on Saturday as cases continued to …