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A former chief scientific adviser says rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine by age rather than prioritising professions "makes sense". Professor Sir Mark Walport, who advised the government from 2013-2017, defended the decision to not prioritise frontline professions after teacher and police unions voiced their disappointment. On Friday, the government announced who would be the next priority for getting the COVID-19 vaccine as part of the second phase of the rollout. If everyone in the top nine priority groups has had their first dose by 15 April, the next group will be those aged 40-49, then 30-39 year olds and finally 18-29 year olds by 31 July. "The rollout is going in such an efficient way by doing it through the ages," Professor Sir Mark told the BBC. Advertisement "Of course, there will be many teachers, many police, who are in the 40-50 age group and indeed who will have been immunised already. So, it does make sense. "It's still … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Vaccine rollout by age not profession makes sense, says ex-chief scientific adviser Mark Walport

American airstrikes in Syria show that Iran can expect consequences for supporting militia groups threatening US interests and personnel, Joe Biden has warned. "You can't act with impunity. Be careful," the US president said when asked what message he intended to send with the airstrikes early on Friday morning on Syria 's eastern border with Iraq. Satellite images show a group of buildings before the airstrike and the obliteration of most of them after. The Pentagon said the strikes by two Air Force F-15E aircraft using seven missiles destroyed nine buildings and heavily damaged two others in eastern Syria used by Iran-backed militias. They added that the strikes were not intended to eradicate the groups using them for attacks inside Iraq but to show the US will act firmly while trying to avoid a widespread regional escalation. Advertisement US officials said the airstrikes, Mr Biden's first military action as president, were legal and … [Read more...] about Syria: After US airstrikes, Biden warns Iran of consequences for supporting militia groups

Pupils kidnapped from a boarding school in Nigeria alongside members of their family and teachers have been released, an official has confirmed. All 42 people, including 27 teenage boys, 12 of their relatives and three staff members were freed on Saturday by gunmen who had been holding them hostage since 17 February. Niger state governor Abubakar Sani Bello tweeted to say they had "regained their freedom and been received by the Niger state government". After their release, boys were seen by a witness walking with armed security through a village, some struggling to stand and asking for water. A government official said the boys were aged between 15 and 18. Advertisement It comes a day after a separate kidnapping in Zamfara state where 317 students were taken from the Girls Science secondary school in Jangebe town. Kidnappings for ransom by armed groups, many of whom carry guns and ride motorcycles, are common across several of Nigeria's … [Read more...] about Nigeria: Gunmen release 27 teenage boys who were kidnapped from boarding school