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In the US, two senators and more than a dozen members of Congress have also contracted Covid. Last month, Missouri’s Republican governor, Mike Parson, who has staunchly opposed mask mandates, tested positive. Herman Cain, a 2012 Republican presidential candidate and Trump supporter, died of coronavirus in July. He was admitted to hospital two weeks after attending the president’s campaign rally. … [Read more...] about Donald Trump joins growing list of world leaders to contract Covid

“The Mauritian route to investing in India had been a reason for concern for the Indian government and civil society for decades,” said Neeti Biyani, of the non-profit Centre for Budget and Government Accountability. “This trend has caused developing countries like India to lose out on crucial revenue, that could have been used for realising human rights, funding public services and financing development.” … [Read more...] about Rishi Sunak’s wife owns part of firm that funnelled money through Mauritius

Sunak questions – The wife of the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, owns 5% of a restaurant business that funnelled investments through the tax haven of Mauritius, in a structure that could allow its backers to avoid taxes in India. International Market Management is hoping to build a chain of dozens of restaurants across India via franchise agreements with Jamie Oliver and the American fast food brand Wendy’s. The involvement of Akshata Murty has emerged from an investigation by the Guardian into a range of financial assets held by Sunak and his close family, many of which have not been declared in the official register of ministers’ interests. The government ethics watchdog has been asked to assess whether Sunak has breached the ministerial code. … [Read more...] about Monday briefing: ‘Worst is over,’ Johnson tells MPs

There is detailed advice on carolling, with special rules because singing increases the risk of transmitting the virus through the air. The rules for indoor performances say professional and amateur choirs may perform in “any indoor venue permitted to open” but add that any audience or congregation must not take part in any “singing, shouting and chanting”. … [Read more...] about Santa’s grottos and carolling allowed under England’s Christmas Covid rules

Senaka Perera, a lawyer with the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners, said the inmates at Mahara prison had been frustrated because their pleas for coronavirus testing and separation of infected prisoners had been ignored by officials for more than a month. … [Read more...] about Sri Lanka prisoners killed in riot over coronavirus conditions