International survey nominates social media giant as worst offender, ahead of elected officialsThe majority of journalists covering the pandemic say Facebook is the biggest spreader of disinformation, outstripping elected officials who are also a top source, according to an international survey of journalism and Covid-19.The social media platform, which announced this week it was updating its hate...

It is impossible to have confidence in the government’s decision to overrule scientific advice In the weeks after Boris Johnson made his lockdown television address on 23 March, and as the UK’s infection and death rates rose shockingly higher, it was widely recognised that ministers had acted too slowly, and that the pandemic’s severity might have been lessened had they grasped the nettle...

UK wants to be deeply involved in next frontier of space exploration – the mission to MarsWhen the first female astronaut walks on the moon, more than half a century after Neil Armstrong took that historic first step, it will probably be heralded as a small step for a woman but a giant leap for womankind.But in the corridors of the UK Space Agency it will also be marked as the moment when...

UK health secretary defends test and trace as MPs prepare to vote on latest measuresCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMatt Hancock has criticised lockdown sceptics in his own Conservative party ahead of a testy debate in the House of Commons on new virus control measures, saying an alternative plan contained “emphatically false” assumptions.The UK health secretary...

Scientists’ verdict on £12bn system has refocused attention on what is working elsewhere in cutting Covid-19 transmission ratesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe newly released assessment by the UK government’s scientific advisers that the £12bn test and trace programme “is having a marginal impact” in reducing Covid-19 transmission has refocused attention...

Timing of the release, just after the PM’s three-tier Covid plan, highlights experts’ disquiet Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government’s Sage committee of scientific experts urged ministers to impose a circuit breaker lockdown on 21 September, documents have shown.What is unusual about these Sage documents? Continue...

Latest updates: minister says Covid restrictions require ‘difficult judgment’ of protecting lives while prioritising education and jobsMinisters told weeks ago to impose short lockdown or face ‘large epidemic’Tempers flare over new Covid rules as Johnson warns: ‘We must act now’UK redundancies rise at record rate amid Covid falloutGlobal coronavirus updates – liveSee all our...

A radio host used mathematical theory to take Matt Hancock to task. It’s a welcome sign we’re all thinking in a more critical wayCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageWhen Boris Johnson addressed the nation to announce new coronavirus restrictions last month, he talked about how the virus would “spread again in an exponential way” and warned us that the “iron laws...

Johnson & Johnson confirms pause in vaccine trial; Fauci says holding large rallies ‘asking for trouble’; Czech government closes bars and schoolsWhite House doctor says US President has tested negative for CovidCovid in Europe: second wave gathers pace across continentTrump holds packed rally after Covid diagnosis as he struggles in pollsAnthony Fauci criticises Trump for using his words...

Most Sage proposals not acted upon by government despite strong warnings over second waveCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMinisters were warned three weeks ago that the country faced a “very large epidemic with catastrophic consequences” unless they took immediate action by imposing a two-week “circuit breaker” lockdown to reduce the spread of coronavirus.The...

Nevada man with no underlying conditions suffers more serious illness the second time with different strainCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageResearchers in the US have reported the country’s first confirmed case of coronavirus reinfection.A 25-year-old man with no known immune disorders or underlying conditions was infected with Covid-19 on two separate occasions,...

Months of delayed nuptials have been crowded together with one man having to attend 23 celebrationsCouples have rushed to get married over China’s national day holiday in the first wedding season since the coronavirus pandemic began.Months of delayed nuptial celebrations were crowded into the “golden week” holiday, traditionally a popular time for weddings, that ended on Wednesday as hotels,...

What does a disease smell like? Humans might not have the answer, but if they could talk, dogs might be able to tell us. Able to sniff out a range of cancers and even malaria, canines’ extraordinary noses are now being put to the test on Covid-19. Nicola Davis hears from Prof Dominique Grandjean about exactly how you train dogs to smell a virus, and how this detection technique could be used in...