British Medical Council warns current 12-week wait could reduce effectiveness of the jab
The gap between the first and second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine must be reduced to ensure the vaccine is effective, senior doctors have warned.
Currently patients wait about three months to get their second dose. Prof Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, said this was a “public health decision” to get the first jab to more people across the country.
Continue reading...Simon Spurrell says his firm lost 20% of sales and will switch £1m investment to France
A commercial cheesemaker in Cheshire has been left with a £250,000 Brexit hole in his business as a direct result of the UK’s departure from the EU on 1 January.
Simon Spurrell said he has lost 20% of his sales overnight after discovering he needed to provide a £180 health certificate on retail orders to consumers in the EU, including those buying personal gift packs of his award-winning wax-wrapped cheese worth £25 or £30.
Continue reading...The House will transmit the article against the former president on Monday, giving his legal team time to prepare their case
Opening arguments in the Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump are set to begin the week of 8 February, with the former president facing charges of inciting an insurrection at the US Capitol.
The Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, announced the schedule late Friday after reaching an agreement with Republicans.
Continue reading...Police reportedly make 167 arrests as people gather in the east ahead of rallies in Moscow and St Petersburg
Thousands of supporters of Alexei Navalny have begun to protest in cities across Russia to call for the opposition leader’s release from jail.
Demonstrators gathered in cities and towns in Siberia and the far east with rallies in Moscow and St Petersburg expected to begin at 2pm local time (1100 GMT).
Continue reading...Former first lady walks off after touching down at Palm Beach airport this week, leaving husband to relish the spotlight alone
One last time, the internet has run wild over viral video of first lady Melania Trump apparently spurning the conventions of her role, triggering speculation about the state of her marriage to the now former president.
Related: House will send article of impeachment against Trump to Senate on Monday – live
Continue reading...Probe launched after girl’s sister reportedly told parents she had been ‘playing the blackout game’ before her death
Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into the accidental death of a 10-year-old girl who allegedly took part in a “blackout challenge” on the video-sharing network TikTok.
The probe came as Italy announced it had temporarily blocked access to TikTok for users whose age could not be proved definitively.
Continue reading...Thousands of UK homeowners are facing huge bills as their properties fail inspections
Homeowners are receiving new bills for fire safety measures, three-and-a-half years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Leaseholders in flats around the country are learning that their buildings have failed inspections and that they face huge bills to put things right. Many have seen hundreds of pounds added to their monthly service charges to cover short-term safety measures, or been told that work to make their buildings safe could cost them tens of thousands of pounds.
Continue reading...Emails from ‘best-known entertainment media outlet’ invite ‘Culture Council’ to pay for chance to publish on website
Rolling Stone magazine is offering “thought leaders” the chance to write for its website if they are willing to pay $2,000 to “shape the future of culture”.
The storied magazine, which has published journalism by writers including Hunter S Thompson, Patti Smith and Tom Wolfe, approached would-be members of its new “Culture Council” by email, telling them that they had the chance to join “an invitation-only community for innovators, influencers and tastemakers”.
Continue reading...Indigenous leaders and human rights groups accuse Brazilian president of crimes against humanity
Jair Bolsonaro could face charges in the international criminal court (ICC) after being accused of crimes against humanity.
Indigenous leaders in Brazil and human rights groups are urging the court to investigate the Brazilian president over his dismantling of environmental policies and violations of indigenous rights, which they say amount to ecocide.
Continue reading...Critics say the costs could have been avoided if ministers had agreed to bring in low-carbon standards sooner
Householders buying brand new homes in the next four years are likely to find an unpleasant surprise awaiting them in the future: homes built today will have to be retrofitted with energy efficiency measures and low-carbon technology, at an average cost of more than £20,000.
The extra costs will amount to more than £20bn for the whole of the UK, if the government’s targets of building 300,000 new homes a year are met. Critics say the costs could have been avoided if ministers had agreed to bring in low-carbon standards sooner.
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