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The UK has reported another 290 coronavirus deaths and 7,434 new cases, while 19.6 million people have now had their first vaccine dose. This compares to the 345 deaths and 8,523 cases recorded on Friday. Another 504,493 had their first dose of the COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total to 19,682,048. The total number of people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavrus in the UK now stands at 122,705. The UK government has set the target of offering a first coronavirus vaccine to all adults in the UK by the end of the July. Advertisement Yesterday at the Downing Street press conference, Health Secretary Matt Hancock defended the decision to base the rollout on age, and not prioritising certain professions like teachers and police officers. A guide on when you will be offered a vaccine can be found here. More from Covid-19 COVID-19: Vaccine rollout by age not profession makes sense, says … [Read more...] about COVID-19: 290 more UK deaths reported as 19.6m people have first vaccine

LOCKDOWN-weary Brits hit beaches and parks across the UK today to bask in 13C sunshine despite lockdown warnings. Health officials have urged people to keep following the "stay at home" order and to not be tempted by the glorious weather outside. ⚡ Read our UK weather live blog for the very latest news and forecasts. .. Last night crowds in Exeter sat alongside the River Exe enjoying the warm weather while watching the sunset. The sun-basking Brits were pictured sitting in groups of more than three people breaking the current lockdown restrictions in place. Since January 4, Brits have not been allowed to leave their home to meet socially with anyone that is not in their support bubble or is not in their household. Brits are also advised to stay two metres apart from anyone not in their household or support bubble. It comes the day after local MP Ben Bradshaw called for restrictions to be lifted earlier in the southwest due to reduced levels of Covid-19 … [Read more...] about Lockdown-weary Brits hit beaches and parks to bask in 13C sunshine & warm weather despite warnings

FURIOUS ministers warned Facebook they "won’t shy away" from cracking down on the tech giant in the wake of their Australian newsfeed ban. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said "nothing is off the table" - including billion pound fines - after he vowed to raise the "tech titans'" behaviour at this summer’s G7. The social media giant was blasted for blocking news content in Australia after they introduced a law forcing tech giants to pay for news content on their platforms. Yesterday, Mr Dowden spoke with former Deputy PM Nick Clegg who now works for Facebook to warn them over their behaviour. Mr Dowden said: “Tech titans have become the gatekeepers of online knowledge and the custodians of virtual public squares, and the government won’t shy away from intervening to protect the interests of the public when it needs to." He added: “Turning the tap off on news in a global pandemic was a concerning move which looked like Facebook was putting its bottom line above the … [Read more...] about Facebook warned UK ‘won’t shy away’ from cracking down on tech giant after Australian newsfeed ban

Crowds have flocked to beaches and parks in the sunshine today - despite a top scientist warning the fight against coronavirus is not over. Lockdown-weary sun seeking Brits headed to spots like Brighton, Southend-on-Sea and Exeter amid 15C temperatures - with pictures showing significant crowds in places. Professor Jonathan Van-Tam had used last night's No10 press conference to warn lockdown could be extended if people "relax" too much over a sunny weekend. He used a football analogy to hammer home the message that the pandemic is still very much an issue, comparing the situation to relaxing when 3-0 up - and still losing 4-3. Boris Johnson gave the nation a taste of hope this week by unveiling his roadmap - which said pub beer gardens could open as early as April 12 and all restrictions could end as early as June 21. Got a story? Email [email protected] And the number of first vaccine doses dished out in Britain has passed 19million - with experts … [Read more...] about Crowds flock to parks and beaches during 15C sunshine despite scientist’s Covid warning

It was a bright sunny day on the morning of Wednesday 21 September, 2016. Just like any other weekday morning, I woke up my two children, Helena and Daniel, who were seven and four at the time, and got them ready for school. My husband Berat cleared away breakfast, as I put on a beautiful dress for church on one of the last warm days before autumn. When I waved my children goodbye at the school gate, I felt a sense of pride. I had been a stay-at-home mum, and although my kids are everything to me, I was so happy they were now in school and enjoying it. At 36, I finally had the freedom to focus on getting back to college to study for my PGCE and qualify as a teacher . I hopped on my bike and headed to my church in Finsbury Park, north London, to catch the 10am service. I loved cycling – for the past 13 years I used to get around London on my bike, rain or shine. I weaved through the streets and came to some busy traffic lights. I could never have predicted what was about … [Read more...] about ‘I was on my bike when I heard a loud bang and my living nightmare began’