Covid: South Africa stops AstraZeneca vaccination roll out

South Africa has put its roll-out of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on hold after a study showed “disappointing” results against its new Covid variant. Scientists say the strain accounts for 90%…

Covid: Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine’s protection against South Africa variant ‘limited’

The Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine gives limited protection against mild disease caused by the South Africa variant, the firm said early trials had suggested. AstraZeneca vaccine has not been approved for…

Reparations: McKinsey to pay $573m for opioid epidemic

McKinsey has agreed to pay $573m (£419m) to resolve claims it faced across the US related to its role fuelling America’s opioid epidemic. The consulting firm was under investigation for…

Mix and Match: Covid trial in UK examines mixing different vaccines

The EU has reversed its decision to trigger an emergency provision in the Brexit deal to control Covid vaccine exports from the EU. The move could have seen checks at…

Covid Chaos: Australian MPs clash over Covid ‘Conspiracies’

Two Australian MPs have clashed in a parliamentary corridor, with Labor’s Tanya Plibersek accusing the government’s Craig Kelly of spreading misinformation about Covid-19. Ms Plibersek said Mr Kelly had “crazy…

Covid: South Africa eases Covid rules

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has eased some restrictions imposed due to coronavirus, including lifting an unpopular ban on alcohol sales. Beaches will reopen and limited religious gatherings will be…

Covid: EU and AstraZeneca agreement on vaccines

The EU says UK-Swedish drug firm AstraZeneca will now supply an additional nine million Covid vaccine doses by March, after days of criticism of the bloc’s vaccination programme. Commission President…

Covid: Australian’s Perth goes into lockdown after guard tests positive

The Australian city of Perth has begun a snap five-day lockdown after a security guard working at a quarantine hotel tested positive for coronavirus. Western Australia – the state of…

Covid-19 Chaos: France closes borders to most non-EU travel

France has imposed new Covid-19 border restrictions, but has once again resisted a new nationwide lockdown. All but essential travel from outside the EU has been banned, while testing requirements…

Covid: When the Exs talk-EU and UK relations after NI vaccine row

The UK and European Union will “reset” relations after Brussels triggered a provision in the Brexit deal to control vaccine exports, the Cabinet Office minister has said. Ministers said they…