Topic
Coronavirus
Latest news and updates on the global coronavirus pandemic. Keep up-to-date on numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths, analysis of the government's response, how the NHS is coping and other stories from the UK and around the world.
| Confirmed | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 291,911 | 45,053 |
| Global | 13,530,628 | 583,892 |
Russia trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine data, say UK, U.S. and Canada
- Hackers backed by the Russian state are trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine and treatment research from academic and pharmaceutical institutions around the world, Britain's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said on Thursday. A co-ordinated statement from Britain, the United States and Canada attributed the attacks to group APT29, also known as 'Cozy Bear', which they said was almost certainly operating as part of Russian intelligence services. "We condemn these despicable attacks against those doing vital work to combat the coronavirus pandemic," said NCSC Director of Operations, Paul Chichester.
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- Reuters
Russia trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine data, say UK, U.S. and Canada
Hackers backed by the Russian state are trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine and treatment research from academic and pharmaceutical institutions around the world, Britain's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said on Thursday. A co-ordinated statement from Britain, the United States and Canada attributed the attacks to group APT29, also known as 'Cozy Bear', which they said was almost certainly operating as part of Russian intelligence services. "We condemn these despicable attacks against those doing vital work to combat the coronavirus pandemic," said NCSC Director of Operations, Paul Chichester.
6262 reactions - The Telegraph
Vaccine hopes rise after strong trial results
Oxford scientists believe they have made a breakthrough in their quest for a Covid-19 vaccine after discovering that the jab triggers a response that may offer a "double defence" against the virus. Phase I human trials of the world-leading Oxford vaccine have shown that it generates an immune response against the disease, The Telegraph has learned. Blood samples taken from a group of UK volunteers given a dose of the vaccine showed that it stimulated the body to produce both antibodies and "killer T-cells", a senior source said. The discovery is promising because separate studies have suggested antibodies may fade away within months, while T-cells can stay in circulation for years. However the source cautioned that the results, while "extremely promising", did not yet prove that the Oxford vaccine provides long-lasting immunity against Covid-19. "I can tell you that we now know the Oxford vaccine covers both bases – it produces both a T-cell and an antibody response," the senior source told The Telegraph. "It's the combination of these two that will hopefully keep people safe. "So far, so good. It's an important moment. But we still have a long way to go."
- Yahoo Finance UK
UK employers have shed almost 650,000 jobs since virus crisis began
The UK unemployment rate remained at 3.9% in the three months to May, the Office for National Statistics (ONS)'s figures show.
- Yahoo News UK
Parts of local coronavirus lockdown in Leicester must stay in place, Matt Hancock announces
The city was put into a prolonged lockdown on June 29 while the rest of the country continued lifting restrictions.
- The Independent
Matt Hancock orders pause in use of sub-standard coronavirus testing swabs
Health secretary Matt Hancock has ordered a pause in the use of Randox-branded swabs in coronavirus testing after some were found not to be up to required standards.Mr Hancock told the House of Commons that there was no evidence of clinical harm or of the testing system being undermined due to the presence of the sub-standard equipment.
- HuffPost UK
BAME People Who Have Coronavirus Should Not Be Stigmatised, Lisa Nandy Says
Shadow cabinet minister tells HuffPost UK there needs to be a "conversation" about how Covid-19 is impacting different communities.
- HuffPost UK
UK Coronavirus Outcome 'Not Good', Says Patrick Vallance
Chief scientific adviser says Covid-19 will come back in "different waves over a number of years".
- Yahoo News UK
Coronavirus will keep coming back 'over a number of years', top government science adviser warns
Sir Patrick Vallance has become the latest top scientist to warn COVID-19 will probably be a long-term feature of people’s lives.
- The Telegraph
Emergency measures launched to stem tsunami of cash machine closures during Covid-19
People must be told at least 12 weeks in advance if they are to lose their local cash machine under new guidelines amid concerns so many are being lost because of Covid-19. The financial watchdog has fired a warning shot against banks, which have removed thousands of cash points in the past few years, and said they must give customers three months’ notice before removing one. Lenders will also have to consider alternatives so communities can continue having access to cash, according to new proposals outlined by the Financial Conduct Authority. This could include sharing hole-in-the-walls with other banks or providing mobile banking hubs or cash delivery services. Laura Suter, of stock broker AJ Bell, said: “People still reliant on cash have faced ever-decreasing options as bank branches and cash machines have been shut in their droves in recent years. Some areas of the country have been left as a cash desert, with people having to drive miles in order to get cash out – not an option for the oldest or most vulnerable in society.” In total more than 3,500 branches have closed over the past five years, a process which has been accelerated as banks look to cut down costs during the coronavirus crisis. The Telegraph recently reported that one in eight banks and cash points had shut down during the pandemic due to staff shortages, social distancing and falling demand for cash. This is in spite of the fact that more than one in 10 adults are still reliant on physical money, according to research by the FCA.
- The Independent
Boris Johnson news – live: Russia-linked hackers try to steal UK coronavirus vaccine research, amid Tory anger at No 10 ‘incompetence’
It is “almost certain” Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 general election, foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said. Mr Raab said Russian elements had acted to “amplify” leaked documents relating to post-Brexit trade talks with the US.It comes as Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has said ‘Cozy Bear’ hackers linked to Russian state intelligence are attempting to steal secret research on coronavirus vaccines from UK labs. “We condemn these despicable attacks,” said the NCSC.