Bernie Sanders drops out of presidential race April 8, 2020 Bernie Sanders has dropped out of the Democratic presidential race, effectively handing the nomination to former Vice President Joe Biden. The Vermont senator made the decision today on a conference call with his campaign team, and he will be making a virtual statement to his followers today. Sanders was the favourite in the race after [...]
EU hits back at former top scientist during coronavirus row April 8, 2020 The European Union’s top scientific body has hit back at its former chief after he quit last night, saying that he was in fact asked to leave his position. Mauro Ferrari said he resigned from his position as president of the European Research Council (ERC) last night because he had “lost faith in the system” [...]
Coronavirus deaths in England rise by 828 to 6,483 April 8, 2020 A further 828 coronavirus patients have died in England, taking the total to 6,483. The figures, released by NHS England, are up from the 758 deaths recorded yesterday. It marks a continuing growth in the daily death toll ahead of the Easter weekend, which health officials have warned could bring the peak of the epidemic [...]
Brexit trade talks to continue virtually as UK sticks to 2020 deadline April 8, 2020 The UK’s chief Brexit negotiator David Frost will speak with his Brussels counterpart Michel Barnier next week to outline a timetable for trade negotiations. Frost and Barnier will speak on Wednesday with the aim of setting out dates to carry on negotiations remotely through April and May. There has been much speculation that the UK’s [...]
Government to ask UK businesses to develop antibody testing kits April 8, 2020 Health secretary Matt Hancock is set to issue a rallying cry for British businesses to make antibody testing kits after millions purchased by the government had to be thrown away. The government will ask UK companies to help develop millions of the DIY finger prick testing kits to distribute to homes across the country. The [...]
Boris Johnson stable after second night in intensive care April 8, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson spent a second night in intensive care but is in a stable condition after receiving oxygen support. Johnson tested positive for coronavirus nearly two weeks ago and was admitted to St Thomas’ hospital in London on Sunday night. On Monday evening he was admitted into intensive care after his condition deteriorated. [...]
Firms struggling to access coronavirus loan scheme, says BCC April 8, 2020 Almost two-thirds of British businesses do not have enough cash to last three months as firms continue to struggle to access the government’s coronavirus loan scheme. A British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) survey showed that 57 per cent of businesses polled did not have enough cash to survive past three months and only one per [...]
Exclusive: Just 2,000 UK firms given coronavirus business loans April 7, 2020 Just 2,022 loans have been made to the UK’s small and medium-sized firms through the government’s coronavirus business lending scheme. There have been around 300,000 enquiries so far, meaning a paltry 0.65 per cent have resulted in coronavirus business loans. The latest figures, which were compiled by industry body UK Finance but obtained independently by [...]
Dominic Raab says ‘fighter’ Boris Johnson will beat coronavirus April 7, 2020 Dominic Raab has paid tribute to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, saying “he’s a fighter” and will beat his coronavirus diagnosis. Raab, who is now deputising for Johnson, said at today’s press briefing that the Prime Minister would be “back at the helm” in “short order”. Johnson went into intensive care last night after his coronavirus [...]
UK coronavirus death rate spikes as toll rises by 786 to 6,159 April 7, 2020 The number of patients who have died from coronavirus in the UK has risen by 786 to reach 6,159. The figures are a sharp increase on the 439 deaths that were recorded yesterday and mark the UK’s largest rise in daily deaths. As of 9am this morning 213,181 people have been tested, of whom 55,242 [...]