EU warns AstraZeneca must ‘catch up’ on vaccine deliveries before exporting elsewhere
The European Commission president has warned AstraZeneca that it must ”honour” its vaccine contract with the bloc before exporting doses elsewhere in the world.
Ursula von der Leyen urged “transparency” from other countries, but did not confirm if the EU would bring in tougher export restrictions on coronavirus jabs, amid a row over supplies with the British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant.
However, she acknowledged that worldwide supply chains needed to remain “intact” for vaccine production, while some European leaders appeared optimistic that the UK and EU could soon resolve their dispute over supplies.
China bans UK MPs after Uighur abuse sanctions
China has imposed sanctions on nine UK citizens, including five MPs, for spreading "lies and disinformation,” the country has said.
It comes after the UK joined the EU and others in sanctioning Chinese officials accused of human rights abuses against the Uighur Muslim minority group in the Xinjiang region.
Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith is among the MPs targeted by China, along with two peers, a lawyer and an academic.
Williamson condemns threats against teacher suspended for showing class image of Mohammed
Gavin Williamson has condemned the "threats and intimidation" that a teacher has faced after he was suspended for showing his class a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed.
It comes after dozens of protesters gathered at the gates of Batley Grammar School, near Bradford, on Thursday morning, forcing the school to advise students to stay at home while police officers stood guard.
The 29-year-old Religious Studies teacher is said to have shown the image to pupils during a lesson on Monday.
Mr Williamson intervened on Thursday night, with a spokesman for the Department for Education saying: “It is never acceptable to threaten or intimidate teachers.”
Sunak urges firms to reopen offices after lockdown
Rishi Sunak has called on employers to end working from home after lockdown and allow staff back in the office.
The Chancellor, looking beyond the pandemic, said that working in an office is crucial for young people to get to know colleagues and find mentors to help career development.
He also warned bosses that those who shut their offices for good risk losing staff who "vote with their feet" and quit.
London Zoo asks public to name trio of alpacas
London Zoo is calling on the public to help name a trio of alpacas that arrived during the coronavirus lockdown.
The three fluffy-haired arrivals are less than a year old.
They came from a British farm earlier this month and “instantly boosted the spirits of dedicated zookeepers”, said the London Zoo.
Members of the public are invited to cast the deciding vote on the alpacas’ names through an online poll on the London Zoo website.
The zoo, which is set to reopen on April 12, has shortlisted several names such as Alpacaccino, Snowball, Toffee and Cookie.
