Covid-19 was introduced to UK 1,356 times as ministers missed key opportunities, study findsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThere was no “patient zero” in the UK’s Covid-19 epidemic, according to research showing that the infection was introduced on at least 1,300 occasions.The findings, from the Covid-19 Genomics UK consortium, have prompted further criticism...

Northrop Grumman subsidiary awarded $187m contract for habitation and logistics outpostNasa has finalised the contract for the design of the Gateway lunar space station’s crew cabin. Astronauts will dock at this outpost upon arriving in lunar orbit, before embarking on their descent to the surface of the moon.The $187m (£147m) contract will allow Orbital Science Corporation in Dulles, Virginia,...

UK death toll rises by 151 to 41,279; urgent cancer referrals in England fell by 60% in first month of lockdownNHS unable to trace contacts of 33% of people with coronavirusWho does coronavirus kill in England and Wales?How successful is test and trace? - AnalysisCoronavirus – latest updates 7.15pm BST That’s it from us today on the UK side. If you would like to continue to follow the...

Readers respond to Prof Neil Ferguson’s estimate that a lockdown a week earlier could have saved half the lives lost to coronavirusOn Wednesday, Prof Neil Ferguson, a former member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said a lockdown one week earlier could have saved half of all lives lost to Covid-19 (Coronavirus: enforcing UK lockdown one week earlier ‘could have saved...

Zoos | Hairdressers | Angela Merkel | Fred Trueman | ‘ee’ endings | Psychedelic therapy“The reopening of safari parks and zoos will help provide families with more options to spend time outdoors” said a Downing Street official (English zoos and safari parks to reopen from 15 June, 9 June). Well yes – families who can afford the entry costs and, in the case of safari parks, have a car to...

‘Third-century’ artefacts with hieroglyphics and Basque words referred to non-existent gods and to René DescartesA Spanish archaeologist whose staggering discoveries included one of the earliest representations of the crucifixion and proof that the written Basque language was centuries older than previously thought has been found guilty of faking the finds.The saga began in June 2006...

Your questions answered on what type of mask to wear to cut the risk of getting Covid-19Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageYes. Different types of mask offer different levels of protection. Surgical grade N95 respirators offer the highest level of protection against Covid-19 infection, followed by surgical grade masks. However, these masks are costly, in limited supply,...

A second wave of coronavirus cases would be disastrous – but there are ways to prevent this happeningCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageOver the weekend, there were no new deaths from coronavirus in London, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Slowly, the number of hospitalisations and deaths is falling across the UK. Rather than celebrating these early signs that the worst...

When a strange spinning cigar-shaped object was spotted travelling through our solar system in 2017, it ignited scientific speculation and debate. Ian Sample speaks to Darryl Seligman, lead researcher on a recent study seeking to unravel the mystery of ‘Oumuamua Continue...