News

Hancock 'worried' about new COVID variants

The health secretary has concerns about potential variants and says we "cannot risk the progress" already made.

Light Perpetual by Francis Spufford review – a brilliant, capacious experiment with fiction

This novel has been greedily anticipated by Francis Spufford’s many fans – I’ve had a copy of it sitting temptingly on my desk like the promise of a treat to come. Yet there is one thing we know about Spufford: you cannot second-guess him. He began as an elegant writer of nonfiction – historical, theological, autobiographical – before producing, aged 52, Golden Hill, a novel of exuberant virtuosity about an English chancer in 18th-century...

Gavin Williamson to 'rule out pupils return after February half-term'

It is believed that Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, will within days rule out the full reopening of schools after the February half-term break.

London international mime festival: 5 Short Films review – now everyone can watch

My heart went out to Jonathan Agnew, having to commentate on England’s first Test by watching the television in his attic instead of being in Sri Lanka’s Galle stadium, because of a Covid travel ban. “You don’t feel in the game,” Aggers told a BBC news reporter, after opening Test Match Special from his home. I know how he feels, but there are compensations to on-screen experiences. This week, from my attic, I’ve been watching short films...

Does true grit just belong in movies? Or can we teach it to our children?

Sir John Bell, who is at the centre of Britain’s Covid vaccination programme, spent a year in hospital with polio as a child. That setback, he said last week, helped him to become successful: “If stuff comes at you, you just have to get on and do what’s best.” Bell thinks that, similarly, the experience of the pandemic will give this generation of young people an inoculation of resilience. “You might well end up with a generation of high...

UK Coronavirus LIVE: UK closes in on 100,000 deaths milestone amid alarm over new variants

The government is resisting called from the British Medical Association for the gap between vaccine doses to be reduced to six weeks. In a private letter to Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, the BMA said the current plans of people waiting up to 12 weeks for a second dose - which Health Secretary Matt Hancock said is supported by data from an Israeli study - are "difficult to justify". However, Communities Secretary Robert...

Revealed: The 10 Areas Of England Where Covid Cases Have Risen Again

Coronavirus infections have risen in ten areas of England, just days after it was reported they were going down across the entire country. According to the latest NHS data, a number of places mostly in Yorkshire and the North East had a higher number of confirmed Covid cases on 21 January than they did seven days previously. Barnsley has seen the sharpest rise with a 24% increase in cases, followed by Bradford (15%) and Wakefield (12%) These...

Daily politics briefing: January 24

A look at the key figures and dates in the world of politics on January 24. Coronavirus vaccines may not fully prevent people from passing the virus on to others and people who have had the jab should still continue to abide by lockdown restrictions, the deputy chief medical officer for England said.

Joe Biden's Inauguration.

2021-01-21 00:11 Joe Biden's Inauguration.

Portugal chooses president amid surge in virus cases

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is regarded as the clear front-runner among seven candidates

Lives will be lost if Boris Johnson fails to restart the Everyone In scheme

The Everyone In initiative, implemented during the first wave of the Covid-19 virus, took tens of thousands of rough sleepers off the streets and helped them start the transition into more secure and long-term accommodation. In the space of just 72 hours, this ambitious programme took thousands of people off the streets. It saved lives and shattered the illusion that homelessness is an intractable problem to solve. Since then, Boris Johnson’s...

Still 'a long, long way' until lockdown restrictions can be lifted - Hancock

It is still a "long, long, long way" before coronavirus cases are low enough for lockdown to be lifted, the health secretary has told Sky News.

Biden news - live: President to reverse ‘draconian’ migration policies as Boris Johnson presses for trade deal

Joe Biden will end the Trump administration’s “draconian” immigration policies, the president has told his Mexican counterpart, after a flurry of policies and executive orders in the first days of his administration. A White House readout of the call between the two leaders said a priority would be “reversing the previous administration’s draconian immigration policies". In a separate call, Boris Johnson made clear to Mr Biden on Saturday that...

Chelsea Vs Luton, Frank Lampard Press Conference

‘A scandal that needs putting right’: How fight for bereavement leave has stepped up in wake of coronavirus

When Stephen* lost his wife to cancer two years ago, he found himself struggling to cope with the devastation. Small tasks felt impossible. Mustering up the energy even to make a cup of tea became a Herculean effort. Yet 72 hours after his loss, he was expected into work as a teacher. Bosses at his school made it clear he was required back in the classroom. After three days of compassionate leave, he was told he should, to all intents and...

They Married and Divorced 23 Times in a Month for a Scam

Divorcees Mr Pan and Ms Shi found an opportunity to exploit a the system through re-marriage. Except they didn't stop when they should have.

Foster against ‘reckless’ unification poll as she vows to keep focus on pandemic

Northern Ireland’s First Minister said now is not the time to be discussions constitutional politics.

Turkey hopes Mediterranean talks can calm choppy waters with EU

Turkey hopes Mediterranean talks can calm choppy waters with EU

UK vaccination drive expands as virus toll nears 100,000

LONDON (AP) — Britain is expanding a coronavirus vaccination program that has seen almost 6 million people get the first of two doses — even as the country’s death toll in the pandemic approaches 100,000. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Sunday that three-quarters of the U.K.’s over-80s have received a vaccine shot. He said three-quarters of nursing home residents have also had their first jab. Almost 5.9 million doses of vaccine had been...

Lissie Harper: ‘We had a lot to look forward to’

At first glance Lissie Harper’s artfully curated Instagram page reflects an idyllic life. Photographs of her cuddling her cat and walking in meadows sit alongside others featuring holidays abroad, her hen night and her wedding to her childhood sweetheart, Andrew. Yet, the words accompanying some of the posts reveal her true story, one of grief and loss which began 18 months ago when Andrew, a police officer, was killed in the line of duty. Next...

Ministers: New roads in Britain should be named after VC heroes

Plans to name roads after recipients of the Victoria and George Cross and to install statues in home towns have been backed by the Government cabinet ministers Robert Jenrick and Oliver Dowden

Survivor recalls mother and baby home ‘hellhole’

Adele, 69, was sent to the Marianvale home in Newry when she was 17 after falling pregnant.

Matt Hancock says he ‘hopes’ Covid-hit schools will be able to reopen by Easter (but it depends on the data)

Matt Hancock has said he “hopes” schools will be able to reopen by Easter, but it will depend on Covid-19 data. “I would hope so,” the Health Secretary said, when asked during an interview on Sky News if schools would be open then. “But...we’ve got to look at the data, we’ve got to look at the impact of the vaccination programme ... The education secretary said that he will ensure that schools have two weeks’ notice of return and I don’t know...

Police investigation after teenage girls approached by man in Selby

There've been two separate incidents involving a man driving a blue Peugeot car, the first on 4th January and the second on 10th January.

Met police officer faces new hearing over death of mentally ill black man

A senior police officer cleared of misconduct over the high-profile death of a mentally ill black man is to face fresh disciplinary proceedings because of failings in the original case, the Observer can reveal.

Boris Johnson warns of further Covid deaths in 'tough weeks to come'

Boris Johnson warns of further Covid deaths in 'tough weeks to come'

Hurrah for triumph of the ‘centrist dad’ but don’t discount Joe Biden’s radicalism

Last Wednesday in Washington was magnificent – the alchemy of a great republic’s democratic rituals, inspiring sentiments that did not fall into schmaltz, and the best of pop culture. Then there was the small matter of getting rid of the perpetrator of the Big Lie and welcoming a president who promised a new dawn, personified in Joe Biden’s dignity and decency. “ Democracy has prevailed,” he declared. “There is truth and there are lies told for...

Matt Hancock ramps up Cabinet war over border crackdown

Health Secretary Matt Hancock gave a strong hint he favours blanket curbs on arrivals ahead of a showdown in a key committee tomorrow.

Can't Even by Anne Helen Petersen review – genuinely enlightening on the millennial experience

In January 2019, Anne Helen Petersen’s BuzzFeed long read on millennial burnout went viral, attracting more than 7 million readers. My initial reaction was an eye-roll. I am a millennial. I know we’re all burned out, but I also know complaining about that only makes people hate us more. If there’s one thing more common than a complaining millennial, it’s a boomer complaining about complaining millennials. And anyway, I didn’t have time to read...

This Is What Boris Johnson Discussed In His First Call With President Joe Biden

Boris Johnson scored a small diplomatic victory when he became the first European leader to speak to the new president of the United State on Saturday evening. There will be some relief in Downing Street at the early call with Joe Biden, amid concerns about the way Johnson’s perceived closeness to Donald Trump would be seen by the new administration. Even more reassuring for Johnson, a statement from the White House released after the call said...

‘No longer possible’ to hold safe local elections in May, council chiefs fear

Almost 95 per cent of councils across England have concerns about the possibility of holding elections in May, a poll suggests

France imposes new border controls in effort to curb Covid-19

New border controls went into force in France on Sunday as part of a massive effort to contain the spread of Covid-19 and avoid another nationwide lockdown. After a slow start to vaccinations, French health authorities reported that a million people had received coronavirus inoculations by Saturday. But stubbornly high new rates for infections, hospitalisations and Covid deaths fuelled fears France may need another full lockdown, which would be...

Snow forecast for London today as Met Office issues yellow weather warning

A weather warning has been issued for London with snow and ice expected to grip the capital on Sunday. The Met Office is predicting wintry showers to fall across the capital this weekend - with temperatures falling to as low as -3 or -4C on Saturday night. It is reporting a 50 or 60 per cent chance of sleet or snow in London from around midday to 8pm on Sunday, with temperatures failing to rise above one or two degrees. A yellow weather warning...

Russian police violence under review after mass arrests at Navalny protests

More than 3,300 protesters were arrested at demonstrations in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, a monitor reported Sunday, as prosecutors probed possible violence "on the part of law enforcement". Police clashed with demonstrators in Moscow as tens of thousands took to the streets across the country on Saturday following Navalny's call to protest against President Vladimir Putin's rule. Putin's most charismatic critic was detained...

UK has 77 cases of South African COVID variant, nine of Brazilian, minister says

UK has 77 cases of South African COVID variant, nine of Brazilian, minister says

Trump once got tricked into a phone call with a prankster pretending to be Piers Morgan

Piers Morgan has revealed that a prankster pretending to be him called former US president Donald Trump on Air Force One last year – and ended up having an entire conversation with him. The Good Morning Britain presenter said the former president only realised he had been pranked when he called Morgan the next day. The incident apparently happened in October but Morgan spoke about it for the first time on the BBC's Americast podcast this week....

Who is Matthias Warnig, Putin's friend from the former East Germany?

Alexei Navalny has published an investigative video about "Putin's Palace." It mentions many Russians – and one German: Matthias Warnig. What has been the role of this business manager and former Stasi agent?

Richard Keys claims he was "set up" in incident which saw him lose Sky Sports job

It has been ten years since Keys and his co-presenter Andy Gray left Sky after they were overheard making sexist comments

Snow In London

‘No more monkey selfies’: scientists told images could drive illegal pet trade

Celebrity primatologists and scientists have been urged not to post selfies with chimpanzees, orangutans and other primates on social media to help conservation efforts for threatened species. Cuddling baby monkeys on camera and sharing Instagram posts interacting with primates at sanctuaries is strongly discouraged under new guidelines aimed at scientists, researchers and TV presenters from the International Union for Conservation of Nature...

‘Hotel quarantine’: What travellers to the UK could soon face

Ministers are contemplating introducing tough travel restrictions – of the kind that have been in force since last March in Asia and Australasia. These are the key questions and answers. What new restrictions could there be? “We are continuing to monitor Covid-19 rates and new strains of the virus across the globe, this alongside the suspension of travel corridors and pre-departure testing will help protect our borders,” said the transport...

Woman stayed in touch with ex while she was plotting his new girlfriend's murder

Brenda Delgado appeared to be on good terms with her ex, Ricardo “Ricky" Paniagua, but in reality she was consumed with jealousy about his relationship with dentist Kendra Hatcher

Cultural warriors attacking ‘woke’ history care little for truth. It’s all political theatre

In the middle of a dark January, nine months into a pandemic, at the height of a second wave, with the consequences of Brexit finally becoming apparent, what was the great, burning issue at the forefront of everyone’s mind last week? According to housing minister, Robert Jenrick, the critical red button issue of the moment was the fate of the nations’ statues. Last summer, when the statue of Edward Colston was toppled by Black Lives Matter...

India to give homegrown vaccine in seven more states this week

India to give homegrown vaccine in seven more states this week

New Zealand probes first 'probable' community COVID-19 case in months

New Zealand probes first 'probable' community COVID-19 case in months

China-Taiwan tensions rise days into Biden presidency

China-Taiwan tensions rise days into Biden presidency

President pro tempore of the US Senate makes cameo in The Dark Knight

UK Coronavirus LIVE: Boris plots border crackdown as children ‘face months at home’

Boris Johnson is reportedly set to approve a new border crackdown this week that could see travellers, including British citizens, escorted to quarantine hotels at their point of entry. Foreign passport-holders from countries where the coronavirus is mutating could also be banned altogether from entering the UK, according to the Sunday Times. Cabinet ministers are said to be split over whether the hotel quarantine plan should apply to all...

Bodycam video reveals moment riot police storm 300-strong illegal rave in Hackney

Riot police have stormed an illegal rave attended by 300 people in east London after the doors were padlocked to stop them getting in. When the event on Saturday was broken up, dozens of revellers scaled fences at the rear and others forced open a gate to avoid a £200 fine for breaching Covid-19 lockdown rules. The Met Police on Sunday released bodycam footage of the moment officers stormed the illegal rave being held in a railway arch in...

Teachers have ‘good shout’ at being high on jab priority list after vulnerable

The Health Secretary said it was important to break the chains of transmission, but that those at highest risk of death needed to be protected first.