British health minister resigns

UK papers give prominence to the resignation on Saturday, of British Health Minister Matt Hancock, due to the scandal of the video on the effusions with his lover Gina Coladangelo in defiance of COVID-19 rules. The Observer says Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed, as successor, Sajid Javid, a veteran of the Tory Government with Pakistani family origins. Javis was is former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Interior Minister. He had resigned as Chancellor after the 2019 election in controversy with the former eminence gray of Downing Street, Dominic Cummings, meanwhile torpedoed by Johnson.

Over 18,000 new COVID cases in the UK

The COVID pandemic in the UK continues to run havoc, mainly due to the Delta variant. The Mail on Sunday reports that yesterday, 18,810 new infections were recorded – the highest daily record since February 5th. There were 23 deaths. In terms of victims, the high number of vaccinated people continues to keep the numbers low: almost 84% of the population received the first dose, over 61% the booster.

Australia grapples with COVID outbreaks, lockdowns

Australia’s COVID battle has significantly worsened in the past 24 hours, as multiple states and territories respond to new COVID-19 cases and expanding contacts. The Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland have joined New South Wales in implementing restrictions as health authorities battle against surging COVID cases. Passengers on five different flights between three states have been forced into isolation after a Virgin Australia cabin crew member tested positive.

Trump on the warpath, again!

Fox News reports former US President Donald Trump has addressed his first major campaign-style rally since leaving the White House in January. The rallies are considered as a ‘revenge tour’ against those ‘traitor’ Republicans who have not defended him. He told thousands of cheering supporters in Wellington, Ohio, that the Republicans would re-take the Chamber and the Senate in 2022.

Monaco’s princess has second head surgery

Monaco Matin reports Princess Charlène Lynette Grimaldi has undergone a second head surgery and will remain in South Africa indefinitely, after contracting a severe ear, nose and throat infection in May. Her medical team have instructed her not to travel as the Princess is yet to undergo and recover more procedures. She has revealed her sadness at being unable to spend her 10th wedding anniversary with her husband, Prince Albert, next week.

Maneskin break world records

Måneskin, the most listened to Italian artists in the world on Spotify (with 22 million listeners) and with more than a billion and a half total streaming, continue their unstoppable rise in the international charts, collecting a new record result with two singles in the British top ten. They rank sixth with “I wanna be your slave” and number 10 with   Beggin” in the UK Singles Chart.

“I wanna be your slave” also ranks No. 1 on Billboard USA’s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart. Damiano, Victoria, Thomas and Ethan had a memorable victory at the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year.

EURO2020: Italy sweat it out; Denmark outclass Wales

In the EURO 2020 football championships, Italy beat Austria 2-1 after extra time to qualify for the quarter-finals. Coach Mancini described the game as “difficult”. Italy now face the winner of the match between Belgium and Portugal, being played today at 9 pm. Earlier, Denmark became the first team to go through to the last eight when they outclassed Wales 4-0. They will play against the winner of the Netherlands-Czech Republic encounter in Baku, which will be played today at 6pm.

Copa America: Brazil v. Ecuador and Venezuela v. Peru – both matches at 11pm today.