Your morning briefing: What you should know for Monday, June 1

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Jason Collie1 June 2020

Protests continue for sixth night over George Floyd's death

Violence has again erupted during a sixth night of demonstrations in the United States over the death of African-American George Floyd in police custody.

Protesters have clashed with police in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Philidelphia with tear gas and rubber bullets fired, while curfews have been put in place in 40 cities.

Also in Minneapolis, where Mr Floyd died, a truck was driven at high speed towards a crowd of demonstrators marching along a motorway.

The driver was pulled from the vehicle and arrested, while there were no reports of any injuries to the marchers.

Protests were also held in London yesterday and the Metropolitan Police said 23 people were arrested.

'Almost half of pupils' could be missing when schools return today

Schools across England anticipate a significant number of pupils and teaching staff will not return to the classroom this week despite the easing of coronavirus lockdown measures, a report suggests.

Senior education leaders expect near half of families will keep their children home while more than a quarter of available teachers will only be able to work from home, according to the study by the National Foundation for Educational Research.

Primary schools in England have been told to reopen to pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 from this week, with nurseries also expected to resume sessions as part of the easing of lockdown restrictions that start today.

PM urged to take lead over global Hong Kong response

A group of seven former UK foreign secretaries have reportedly asked Boris Johnson to lead a global effort to respond to the ongoing crisis between Hong Kong and China.

China’s ceremonial legislature, the National People’s Congress, endorsed a security law for Hong Kong earlier this week requiring the territory’s government to enforce measures to be decided later by leaders on the mainland.

According to the BBC, the cross-party group of former cabinet ministers has urged Mr Johnson to establish an “international contact group” of allies to coordinate any joint intervention action.

Hot start to the week

The hot weather is set to continue as lockdown retrictions ease with highs in some parts of England forecast to hit 27 degrees today.

The Met Office is also predicting tomorrow could see the hottest temperatures of the year so far in the south before cooler temperatures and even thundery showers later in the week.

The warm end to May saw a significant milestone for the UK with the nation recording its sunniest spring since records began in 1929.

The Met Office is expected to confirm later today that it was the driest May for 124 years.

Former Labour deputy Tom Watson 'denied peerage'

Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson is one of three people to have their nominations for peerages by ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn blocked, the Independent has reported.

It suggested Mr Watson was rejected for a peerage after he highlighted the claims of fantasist Carl Beech who claimed a paedophile ring had operated in Westminster.

Former Commons speaker John Bercow, and the former director of Mr Corbyn’s office Karie Murphy were also declined peerages by the independent watchdog that oversees appointments, The Independent claimed.

Queen seen for first time following lockdown

The Queen has been pictured riding in the grounds of Windsor Castle in her first public appearance since the coronavirus lockdown began.

Windsor is said to be the Queen’s favourite royal residence and she has been photographed over the weekend riding one of her ponies, a 14-year-old Fell Pony called Balmoral Fern.

It is the first time Her Majesty has been seen since she was driven from Buckingham Palace to Windsor on March 19.

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