Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

UK unlikely to lift lockdown till end of May as death toll crosses 4,300

THE UK's death toll has spiralled by 20 per cent to 4,313, which included a five-year-old.

Announcing the figures till Friday afternoon, the health department on Saturday (4) said there were 41,903 Covid-19 cases in the country.


The country is unlikely to lift its lockdown rules until the end of May, said a leading government adviser, warning that the spread of coronavirus must first slow and intense testing be introduced.

The government has put Britain into a widespread shutdown, closing pubs, restaurants and nearly all shops, while ordering people to stay home unless absolutely essential to venture out.

The order is designed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country, which has almost 40,000 confirmed cases and 3,605 deaths, but some experts have started to question whether the shuttering of the economy will cost more lives in the long run.

"We want to move to a situation where at least by the end of May we're able to substitute some less intensive measures, more based on technology and testing, for the complete lockdown we have now," Neil Ferguson, a leading professor of mathematical biology at Imperial College London, told BBC Radio.

"I'm hopeful that in a few weeks' time we will be able to move to a regime which - will not be normal life, let me emphasize that - but will be somewhat more relaxed in terms of social-distancing and the economy but rely more on testing."

Britain initially took a restrained approach to the outbreak but Prime Minister Boris Johnson changed tack and imposed stringent social-distancing measures after Ferguson's modelling showed a quarter of a million people in the country could die.

The response has since been hampered by a lack of ventilators and an inability to carry out mass testing to determine whether the public, and particularly health workers, have built up an immunity.

A second senior government adviser, the chief pandemic modeller Graham Medley, said he feared Britain had painted itself into a corner, with no clear exit from a strategy that would damage the economic and mental well-being of many people.

Almost one million people have applied for welfare benefits in just two weeks in Britain, according to official data that shows the economy is set for a depression that could be worse than the slump in the 1930s.

"If we carry on with lockdown it buys us more time, we can get more thought put into it, but it doesn't resolve anything - it's a placeholder," Medley told the Times.

"We've kind of painted ourselves into a corner, because then the question will be, what do we do now? In broad terms are we going to continue to harm children to protect vulnerable people, or not?"

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has set a goal of 100,000 tests per day by the end of this month, a tenfold increase that industry leaders have questioned due to shortages of specialist chemicals and testing kits. It is also considering immunity certificates.

Medley said the antibody tests could help, but were not working so far.

The prime minister, meanwhile, invited the leaders of opposition parties to work with him during this "moment of national emergency", saying he wants to hear their views during the coronavirus pandemic.

Johnson said he would invite the leaders to a briefing next week with the country's chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser.

"As party leaders we have a duty to work together at this moment of national emergency," he said.

Inviting them to the briefing, he added: "I want to listen to your views and update you on the measures we have taken so far, such as rapidly expanding testing and providing economic support to businesses and individuals across the country."

Britain's main opposition Labour Party will elect a new leader on Saturday, with Brexit policy chief Keir Starmer the frontrunner to take over a deeply divided party.

More For You

Prada 2026 sandals

Prada acknowledges Indian influence behind its Spring Summer 2026 men’s footwear

Instagram/prada/iStock

Prada finally acknowledges Kolhapuri chappals inspired 2026 sandals after Indian backlash over Milan show

Quick highlights:

• Prada confirms Indian roots behind 2026 ‘leather sandals’ after controversy
• Indian artisans and officials accused the brand of cultural appropriation
• The footwear resembles traditional Kolhapuri chappals with GI status
• Prada says designs are still in development and open to dialogue with India

Keep ReadingShow less
Anna Wintour

Wintour’s style of leadership earned her the nickname “Nuclear Wintour”

Getty Images

Anna Wintour steps down as editor of US Vogue after 37 years

Key points

  • Anna Wintour steps down as editor of US Vogue after 37 years
  • She will remain Vogue’s global editorial director and hold senior roles at Condé Nast
  • Wintour transformed US Vogue into a global fashion authority
  • The 75-year-old has received numerous honours, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom

End of an era at US Vogue

Anna Wintour has stepped down as the editor of US Vogue, bringing to a close a 37-year tenure that redefined the publication and saw her become one of the most influential figures in global fashion.

The announcement was made on Thursday (26 June) during a staff meeting in New York. Wintour, 75, will no longer oversee the day-to-day editorial operations of Vogue’s US edition. However, she will continue to serve as Vogue’s global editorial director and Condé Nast’s chief content officer, maintaining senior leadership roles across the company.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nadiya Hussain

She also reassured her followers that “exciting” new projects are on the way

Getty Images

“I won’t always be grateful” says Nadiya Hussain after BBC axes her cookery show

Key points

  • Nadiya Hussain confirms BBC will not renew her cookery series
  • Bake Off winner challenges expectations to remain “grateful”
  • She says hard work and talent, not luck, brought her success
  • Celebrities, including Annie Lennox and Fearne Cotton, show support

BBC ends decade-long collaboration with Bake Off star

Nadiya Hussain has spoken out after the BBC decided not to commission another cookery programme with her. The popular TV chef, who won The Great British Bake Off in 2015, shared her views on social media, stating that she “won’t always be grateful” and should not be expected to remain silent about career setbacks.

The decision ends a nearly 10-year working relationship between the broadcaster and Hussain, who has hosted several well-received cookery shows under the BBC banner. In her latest Instagram video, she addressed the public’s reaction and emphasised her right to expect more from her career.

Keep ReadingShow less
weight loss injections UK

The importance of vigilance as demand for these weight loss and diabetes drugs continues to grow

iStock

Hundreds report pancreas issues linked to weight loss injections as UK launches safety study

Key points

  • Almost 400 reports of acute pancreatitis linked to weight loss and diabetes jabs have been filed in the UK
  • Most cases involve popular GLP-1 drugs including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro
  • Health officials are investigating possible genetic causes behind the side-effects
  • Patients hospitalised with pancreatitis encouraged to report symptoms via MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme
  • Adverse drug reactions cost the NHS an estimated £2.2bn annually

Health watchdog investigates spike in serious side-effects from GLP-1 drugs

UK health authorities have launched a study into the side effects of popular weight loss and diabetes drugs following a spike in reported cases of acute pancreatitis. Nearly 400 reports have been received via the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) Yellow Card scheme, which monitors side effects and adverse reactions related to medicines and medical devices.

The medicines involved are GLP-1 receptor agonists – including semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy), liraglutide, and tirzepatide (branded as Mounjaro). The Yellow Card data shows that 181 of the cases involved tirzepatide alone.

Keep ReadingShow less
M&S launches strawberries

M&S’s latest offering taps into both tradition and innovation

The Wire

M&S launches strawberries and cream sandwich ahead of Wimbledon

Summary

  • M&S unveils limited edition strawberries and cream sandwich for £2.80
  • Inspired by Japanese 'sweet sandos', it features Red Diamond strawberries and whipped cream cheese
  • Available in stores now, found in the savoury sandwich aisle
  • Launch coincides with Wimbledon and British strawberry season
  • Wimbledon increases strawberries and cream price for first time in 15 years

New summer sandwich from M&S

Marks & Spencer has launched a limited edition M&S strawberry sandwich, combining classic British summer flavours with a Japanese twist. Priced at £2.80, the strawberries and cream sandwich is available in M&S stores now.

The dessert-style sandwich features M&S’s exclusive Red Diamond strawberries, whipped cream cheese, and sweetened bread. Despite its sweet contents, the product is found in the savoury sandwich section of M&S Food halls.

Keep ReadingShow less