More radical mutation than Delta: Omicron is first coronavirus variant with ability to crush immunity from earlier Covid infection, scientists in South Africa find Omicron latest A new study in South Africa suggests this morning that the new Omicron variant has “substantial” ability to re-infect people who previously had Covid-19 simply because it is able to evade immunity systems in people’s bodies. The study estimated that the risk of reinfection for November 1 to 27, when Omicron started circulating, was 2.39 [...]
Tories win Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election despite sleaze allegations and Boris Johnson’s disastrous CBI speech The UK’s newest MP this morning is Tory Louie French after winning the Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election around 2am earlier this morning. French took more than half the votes in the contest, which was triggered by the death of former Cabinet minister James Brokenshire. But there was a 10 per cent swing to Labour [...]
Omicron invades US as new Covid variant rears its head in New York, Colorado, Minnesota, California and Hawaii US authorities are on high alert as the new Coronavirus variant, the Omicron mutation, has been discovered in at least five states. The Covid-19 variant had been undetected in the US before the middle of this week. A Colorado woman who had recently travelled to southern Africa, a Hawaii resident with no recent travel history [...]
Sigh of relief in South Africa as Omicron variant appears to be ‘super mild‘ mutation with Covid death rate not jumping December 2, 2021 The WHO and Coronavirus experts are increasingly convinced the new Omicron variant is ‘super mild’ and has, so far, not led to a jump in Covid death rates anywhere in Southern Africa. The WHO is calling this morning for countries to drop travel restrictions and end the mass hysteria, and instead be cautiously optimistic as [...]
Generation rent: Most Brits believe housing crisis will not be resolved in their lifetime December 2, 2021 Less than one in six UK adults believe the housing crisis will be resolved in their lifetime, with confidence in the Government equally low, while more than half of all Brits see the housing crisis as one of the country’s most pressing societal issues at present, according to new research that was exclusively shared with [...]
Healthcare regulator approves GlaxoSmithKline drug for severely ill Covid patients in UK December 2, 2021 A drug treatment which, the makers say, works against the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, has been approved by UK regulators. Xevudy (sotrovimab), made by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has been found to cut hospital admission and death by 79% in those at risk. The monoclonal antibody has been authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare [...]
Coronavirus U-turn: Japan partly reverses Covid travel ban as Omicron variant increasingly appears to be ‘mild‘ mutation December 2, 2021 A ban on new incoming flight bookings in Japan has been dropped, the country’s government said this morning. The policy, aimed at halting the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus, only came into force yesterday. The transport ministry on Wednesday issued a request to international airlines to stop taking new reservations for flights coming into [...]
Dogger Bank C: World’s largest offshore wind farm passes last milestone before £9bn construction December 2, 2021 Joint venture partners SSE Renewables and Equinor said this morning that they have reached financial close on Dogger Bank Wind Farm C, the third phase of what will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm when complete in March 2026. SSE Renewables and Equinor have started constructing the first two phases of the 3.6GW Dogger [...]
UK scientists discover what causes blood clot complications in AstraZeneca Covid vaccine December 2, 2021 UK scientists believe they have found the reason behind the extremely rare blood clot complications stemming from the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. According to an international team of researchers from Cardiff and the US, the reaction can be traced to the way the adenovirus used by the vaccine to shuttle the coronavirus’ genetic material into cells binds [...]
Exclusive: LV= CEO Mark Hartigan on the controversial £530m takeover by Bain Capital, ten days ahead of the vote of his life December 1, 2021 Last week, Liverpool Victoria (LV=) , the 178-year old mutually owned life insurance and pensions provider, turned down an improved offer from its competitor Royal London, which had proposed dismantling the business. The development came amid increasing criticism over a £530m proposed takeover of LV= by Bain Capital, as non-profit members would receive just £100 [...]
