Ten Things You Need to Know Today: 1 May 2021

1. Government to lift travel ban

The government will announce next week that it will lift the ban on overseas holidays on May 17, reports the Daily Telegraph. A traffic light system for countries will be introduced with only a “tiny handful” of countries expected to be on the “green list” initially. Everyone will have to take a PCR Covid test after returning to Britain and most European countries are expected to be on the “amber list,” which will require quarantine on return.

2. Revellers return to the dancefloor

Clubbers have been able to return to the dance floor at a pilot event for 3,000 people in Liverpool. At the First Dance event in Liverpool, revellers – who all had to produce negative Covid tests – did not have to wear face coverings or socially distance. It is hoped the landmark event, the first of two on consecutive nights, will pave the way for clubs across the country to reopen their doors.

3. Australia to jail India returnees

Australia will impose penalties including fines and jail time for anyone who tries to return home from India, with a government minister defending the moves as “drastic” but necessary. The federal health minister, Greg Hunt, announced the measures last night India after reported more than 3,000 daily deaths. There are an estimated 9,000 Australians in India, 600 of whom are classed as vulnerable.

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4. Kissinger warns of apocalyptic clashes

Henry Kissinger says that US-China tensions could lead to an apocalyptic clash. The 97-year-old former US secretary of state said Washington’s tensions with Beijing are “the biggest problem for America, the biggest problem for the world”. The former diplomat added: “For the first time in human history, humanity has the capacity to extinguish itself in a finite period of time.”

5. Biggest house price surge since 2004

House prices rose at their fastest pace in more than 17 years last month, according to a report by Nationwide. Property prices increased by 2.1% in April, the biggest monthly rise since February 2004, with prices 7.1% higher than in April last year. The rises, which came after the government extended stamp duty relief on property purchases, suggest that the market is regaining momentum.

6. US facing national chicken shortage

A nationwide chicken shortage has been reported in the US due to a surge in demand for comfort food during the pandemic. Chains including KFC, McDonald’s and Bojangles are struggling to keep up with demand as the popularity of fried chicken, from sandwiches and tenders to nuggets and wings, rockets. Chicken is the most popular meat in the US.

7. Actress accuses Manson of rape

The British actress Esmé Bianco has sued singer Marilyn Manson, alleging sexual assault and battery. The lawsuit from the Game of Thrones star claims Manson coerced her with “drugs, force, and threats of force”. There have been multiple allegations of abuse against the pop star but Bianco’s court filing marks the first legal action over such claims. Manson has dismissed all allegations as “horrible distortions of reality”.

8. Maradona’s carers ‘reckless’ before death

Diego Maradona’s carers acted in an “inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner” prior to his death, according to a medical board. Prosecutors launched investigations shortly after the football legend died last November, ordering searches of properties of his personal doctor and investigating others involved in his care. The subsequent report, seen by Reuters, concludes that “the patient was not properly monitored”.

9. Met warns of Bank Holiday ‘washout’

Forecasters are predicting a bank holiday “washout” with heavy winds and rain expected to sweep across the UK. The Met Office said weather warnings could be imposed over the weekend with 50mph winds and 40mm of rain to hit parts of the country on Monday. April saw its lowest average minimum temperatures since 1922, according to monthly data.

10. Met officer struck black teenager

A Metropolitan Police officer has been sacked after striking a vulnerable black teenager 34 times with a baton. As a 17-year-old girl, who was on escorted leave from a mental health unit, became distressed after becoming separated from a group in May 2019, PC Benjamin Kemp tried to handcuff the teenager and then used CS spray less than a metre away from her face and his baton.