Six In The Morning Wednesday 21 October 2020

 

Long Covid: Who is more likely to get it?

By James Gallagher
Health and science correspondent

Old age and having a wide range of initial symptoms increase the risk of "long Covid", say scientists.

The study, seen by the BBC, estimates one in 20 people are sick for least eight weeks.

The research at King's College London also showed being female, excess weight and asthma raised the risk.

The aim is to develop an early warning signal that can identify patients who need extra care or who might benefit from early treatment.

Nigeria president calls for calm amid reports of protesters shot dead in Lagos

Demonstrators against police brutality reportedly killed after security forces opened fire

Emmanuel Akinwotu in Lagos and Jason Burke Africa correspondent

Wed 21 Oct 2020 12.11 BST

Sporadic shooting has been reported in Lagos as the president of Nigeria appealed for calm hours after security forces opened fire on protesters against police brutality in the centre of the city.

Muhammadu Buhari did not directly address the shootings, but called on Nigerians to be patient as police reforms “gather pace”. On Tuesday night, Nigerian security forces fired at hundreds of people gathered at a key protest site, killing at least seven, according to witnesses, with more injured.

Polls 2020: Americans’ fear of post-election violence and riots revealed in Independent poll

Exclusive: An Independent poll reveals two-thirds of Americans are fearful of post-election violence, regardless of who they plan to vote for 

John T. Bennett

Washington Bureau Chief

@BennettJohnT

Nearly three-quarters of Americans are concerned about riots and violence after Election Day, according to a new poll by The Independent that suggests the United States is a tinderbox of partisan angst.

Almost three in four voters, 72 per cent, describe themselves as very or quite concerned about post-election violence, according to a JL Partners-Independent poll.

Over 70 per cent of both supporters of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, said they have such concerns.

Don't ignore racism in Germany's police force

German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said the government will launch a study on racism within the police force after all. It appears the interior minister has finally relented, which is a good thing, says Hans Pfeifer.

A police officer's job is not easy. Pickpockets, tricksters, thugs, robbers, murderers, extremists and drunk drivers are not necessarily the kind of company most people dream of on the job.

That's particularly true when much of the job doesn't unfold in a warm office with a coffee machine, but out on the streets, in full view of society. For that alone, police officers deserve recognition on and the loyalty of politicians.

Analysis: misinformation on social media led to Paty's killing

French anti-terrorism prosecutor Jean-François Ricard on Wednesday revealed that seven people stand accused as accomplices into the murder of teacher Samuel Paty, two of whom were minors aged 14 and 16. As FRANCE 24 foreign affairs editor Philip Turle explains, investigators and prosecutors are looking at the role social media played in the killing.

Nagorno-Karabakh: Five things to know about the latest crisis

Two truce attempts have failed to stop Azerbaijan and Armenia fighting, with hundreds dead in less than a month.

Nagorno-Karabakh is at the heart of a decades-old conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, both former Soviet republics.

It is internationally recognised as Azerbaijani territory, but is run by ethnic Armenians who either want to secede or join Armenia.

According to Azerbaijan, ethnic Armenians are occupying their land.