Sajid Javid apologises for 'cower' Covid remark - BBC News

Reuters

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has apologised after saying people should no longer "cower" from coronavirus.

He made the comments in a tweet announcing he had made a "full recovery" from Covid, a week after testing positive.

Labour accused him of denigrating those who followed the rules, while the founder of a victims' group said his comments were "deeply insensitive".

Mr Javid said: "It was a poor choice of word and I sincerely apologise."

"I was expressing gratitude that the vaccines help us fight back as a society," he said.

In a new tweet, the health secretary also said he had deleted his earlier post, adding: "Like many, I have lost loved ones to this awful virus and would never minimise its impact."

Cower is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as meaning to bend down or move backward with your head down because you are frightened.

• Javid criticised for 'cower' Covid remark
• Profile: Sajid Javid
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The tweet on Saturday said: "Full recovery from Covid a week after testing positive. Symptoms were very mild, thanks to amazing vaccines.

"Please - if you haven't yet - get your jab, as we learn to live with, rather than cower from, this virus."

Nearly 70% of UK adults are now fully vaccinated, and 88% have had their first jab, according to the latest figures.

Every adult in the UK has now been offered a vaccine. But, amid a spike in cases caused by the Delta variant, the government has launched a series of appeals in recent weeks to encourage people who have not yet come forward to have their jab.

Mr Javid replaced Mr Hancock as health secretary last month after his predecessor stood down.

He tested positive for Covid on 17 July and spent the last week in self-isolation. The prime minister and chancellor also began self-isolating after they had come into contact with him.

The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group said Mr Javid was right to apologise.

The group's co-founder, Jo Goodman, said earlier that the "flippancy and carelessness" of Mr Javid's comment had "caused deep hurt and further muddied the waters of the government's dangerously mixed messaging".

Shadow justice secretary David Lammy also questioned his use of the word, saying: "Don't denigrate people for trying to keep themselves and their families safe."

Lib Dem health spokeswoman Munira Wilson said Mr Javid's tweet was "outrageous" and his "careless words have insulted every man, woman and child who has followed the rules and stayed at home to protect others".

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2021-07-25 11:48:05Z
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East Dulwich stabbing: Man charged with murder of woman, 36 - BBC News

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A man has been charged with the murder of a woman in south-east London.

Beatrice Stoica, 36, was found with knife injuries at a home in Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, on the evening of Friday 23 July. She was taken to hospital, but later died.

A post-mortem examination is expected to take place later.

Stony Stoica, 44, from Lordship Lane, is due to appear at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Monday, the Metropolitan Police said.

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2021-07-25 08:55:54Z
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Lightning destroys roofs as storms end heatwave in southern England and Wales - BBC News

PA Media

Lightning has damaged homes in Hampshire and severe weather warnings are in place as the heatwave gives way to thunderstorms and torrential rain.

Two women escaped unharmed after a pair of houses in Andover were partially destroyed in the early hours.

The Met Office issued a yellow alert for storms, and warned of flooding, hail and 55mph gusts of wind in southern England and Wales.

It comes after days of extreme heat - and as many set off on summer holidays.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service tweeted a picture of two semi-detached properties struck by lightning in Andover's Mercia Avenue. A spokesman said the roof was severely damaged.

Neighbour Barrie Austen said the roof was "completely ablaze". "The side that supports the roof, that collapsed as well and then the flames spread into next door," he told the PA news agency.

Mr Austen said two sisters lived at the property, adding that one attended by paramedics "seemed shaken but OK".

"I think the lightning hit the roof, woke them up and they just got out."

The fire service said a 70-year-old woman had been assessed by paramedics but did not require hospital treatment.

• Thunderstorms set to replace heatwave in Wales
• New NI temperature record for third time in a week

BBC Weather said that "after a very stormy start in the south" the thunderstorms had eased, but were expected to develop again later - reaching up to the Midlands.

Up to 50mm of rain is expected to fall within an hour in some southern counties of England later, with flooding possible.

Bill Andrews

Bill Andrews

Meanwhile the heatwave looks set to continue in Northern Ireland and western Scotland, with temperatures of 28C possible.

And despite the wet start in the south of England, it should remain dry and sunny in the north west of the country.

It comes as many people are expected to set off for their summer break this weekend, as the school holidays begin across large swathes of the UK.

Cooler weather is predicted across the UK from Sunday, with further heavy showers and thunderstorms expected across southern and eastern England.

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2021-07-24 11:56:15Z
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Goole WW2 bomb: M62 closed as Army prepares to detonate device - BBC News

A section of motorway has been closed as Army bomb experts prepare to detonate a live World War Two bomb found on a housing development.

The unexploded 500lb (227kg) device was discovered on the new-build estate in Goole, East Yorkshire, on Thursday.

Eight homes have been evacuated and the M62 has been shut in both directions between junctions 35 and 37.

Humberside Police said detonation expected to take place some time after 13:30 BST.

'Got out quickly'

John Sharpe, site manager of the Beal Homes development, said he received a call from workers just after midday on Thursday.

"They didn't know what they'd dug up at first and a guy went down into the hole because we thought it was a metal pipe.

"As he uncovered it he realised it was a bomb and got out pretty quickly," he said.

Mr Sharpe said the bomb was believed to have been dropped by a Lancaster bomber during a crash-landing.

Residents in the surrounding area have been asked to remain indoors, and local businesses ordered to close until the bomb has been neutralised.

An extended cordon, which came into force at 20:00 on Friday, remains in place.

The east and westbound carriageways of the M62 were closed and a section of the A614 was also shut along with a number of minor roads.

A no-fly zone above the area has also been imposed.

The bomb's location also forced the cancellation of Goole's Parkrun, which organisers had hoped would resume on Saturday after months of being on hold due to Covid restrictions.

Posting on Facebook, they said: "After all these months waiting it is very disappointing to have to bring you this news but hopefully we will be all systems go next week."

Police have warned people to expect travel disruption in the area for much of Saturday.

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2021-07-24 10:31:44Z
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Covid-19: Sadiq Khan urges PM to change isolation rules earlier - BBC News

Reuters

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and business leaders have urged Boris Johnson to end self-isolation for contacts of Covid cases if they are fully vaccinated.

The PM is under growing pressure to replace the 10-day quarantine with daily testing for those alerted by the NHS Covid-19 app or Test and Trace.

It comes amid concerns of staffing shortages across sectors - including hospitality and the food supply chain.

The government plans to end isolation for those double-jabbed by 16 August.

But business leaders and cross-party politicians want the prime minister to bring forward the date - saying businesses are being put at risk by the "pingdemic".

In a letter to Mr Johnson, Mr Khan joined UK Hospitality, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the capital's branch of the Federation of Small Businesses to demand change.

Nearly 608,000 contact tracing alerts were sent in England in the week between 8 and 15 July - a record high.

• More testing sites for workers to avoid isolation
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• Food isolation exemption scheme delayed by 3 days

Hospitality businesses, such as pubs and restaurants, are struggling with staff shortages, causing some to close temporarily, the letter says.

"The summer months are crucial for many businesses' recovery and their ability to recover must not be put in jeopardy," it reads.

"We are therefore calling on you to ensure that the necessary testing is in place to enable people who have been double vaccinated for longer than two weeks and pinged by the NHS Covid app, to immediately return to work, following a negative PCR test, rather than having to self-isolate."

This would help employers and employees to retain faith in the NHS Covid-19 app in England and Wales, the signatories say.

Hospitality firms aren't the only industries to suffer staff shortages due to self-isolation - a number of railway companies have announced reduced timetables for the weekend or beyond.

Bin collections, the police, and the food supply chain have also been affected, among other sectors.

The prime minister himself is isolating, as is the leader of the opposition Sir Keir Starmer.

Meanwhile, police, firefighters, Border Force staff, transport and freight workers will be able to join the daily contact workplace testing scheme, meaning they can avoid self-isolation if they are a contact of a Covid case.

The scheme was announced by the government on Thursday, initially for supermarket depots and food manufacturers.

But - separately to the mayor's letter - some in the food industry say the plan isn't enough.

British Frozen Food Federation chief executive Richard Harrow said workers may be freed up in some areas, such as factories, but not others, such as supermarkets.

"It shows that yet again government does not understand how connected the food supply chain is," he told the PA news agency.

"Only opening part is unlikely to solve the overall issue. Plus, who is in and who is out, who decides and how do they decide?

"Confusion continues to pervade and I have been advised no list until Monday. This is worse than useless."

Iceland managing director Richard Walker said he was "deeply disappointed to see supermarket store workers omitted from the list [of sectors that wouldn't need to isolate]".

Friday's daily figures showed Covid cases were down for the third consecutive day in the UK, with 36,389 new infections.

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2021-07-24 05:16:12Z
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UK weather: Met Office warnings issued for thunderstorms and strong winds as heatwave ends - Sky News

The UK's heatwave is set to come to an abrupt end with torrential rain forecast in places this weekend and weather warnings issued for thunderstorms and strong winds.

Around six million leisure journeys are expected to take place between Friday and Sunday, according to the RAC, as people look to make the most of the summer.

However, days of record-breaking temperatures are set to cease with unsettled winds and thundery showers expected in parts of the country.

Image: Friday's weather warning. Pic: The Met Office

Image: Saturday's weather warning. Pic: The Met Office

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for storms in southern England and Wales, and parts of the Midlands from late Friday until midnight Sunday.

A yellow warning for wind, in place from 3pm to midnight on Friday, says gusty winds were likely to bring disruption to those camping or in caravans.

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Ferry services could also be delayed and coastal stretches will see large waves and sea spray thanks to winds of up to 55mph.

Image: Sunday's weather warning. Pic: The Met Office

Thundery showers are expected throughout Saturday and especially Sunday, which could be widespread and torrential in places.

More on Weather

Some areas could see up to 50mm (2in) of rain in an hour on Saturday, while up to 100mm could fall in some spots on Sunday.

There is a risk of flooding, lightning, hail, road closures and hazardous driving conditions, the Met Office said.

Sunday's yellow thunderstorm warning stretches into East Anglia, possibly affecting Latitude Festival in Suffolk.

Some 40,000 music fans are at the Henham Park estate this weekend for the festival which is part of the government's Events Research Programme, meaning fans will have to show they have been vaccinated twice or tested negative for the virus.

Those in northern parts of the country will have more settled weather this weekend, with warm temperatures - although it will be colder than it has been.

Image: Festival goers at Latitude festival in Henham Park on Friday

David Oliver, from the Met Office, said: "This yellow rain warning comes as temperatures are set to dip for many areas over the weekend.

"A spell of rain, heavy in places perhaps with some thunder, moves in from the South West late on Friday and into Saturday."

Image: People enjoy the weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset earlier this week

It follows days of record-breaking temperatures which saw the Met Office issue its first ever extreme heat warning for parts of the central and southern England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In England, temperatures reached record-breaking highs of 32.2C at London's Heathrow.

Things changed in East of England on Tuesday, with the area experiencing heavy rain and hail storms.

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Huge hailstone smashes through conservatory roof

Nevertheless, the high temperatures continued.

Wales recorded its highest temperature of the year so far on Thursday with 31.2C in Gogerddan, while Scotland also recorded its highest temperature of the year so far with 29.3C in Threave.

Meanwhile, the scorching 31.4C experienced in Armagh at 3.20pm on Thursday is Northern Ireland's highest temperature on record - with the chance of the figure being broken yet again on Friday.

And there could be a second heatwave on the way.

The Met Office has predicted an unsettled start to August but says high pressure is set to become "dominant" in the middle of the month leading to "above-average temperatures".

A long-range weather forecast says: "Into early August, warmer and drier-than-average conditions look likely to return for much of the UK.''

"By mid-August confidence becomes rather low, but with changeable conditions most likely.

"Above-average temperatures continue to be signalled for much of the period, perhaps becoming very warm or hot at times in the south."

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2021-07-23 20:56:33Z
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Concern mounts for missing 11-year-old schoolgirl from Bolton - BBC News

GMP

The parents of a missing 11-year-old girl said they are in a "state of shock" as police stepped up their search for her.

Fatuma Kadir left her home in Bolton on Thursday and travelled from Manchester to London by train overnight.

Her parents Asheem and Misra urged her to let them know she was OK.

"We miss you, we want you to come home. We want to at least know you're safe. You're not in any trouble. Please contact us or the police," they said.

"We are in a state of shock. We want to know where she is, who she's with, but most of all, that she's safe. Fatuma, Please come home."

Fatuma left home without her parents' knowledge and travelled to Bolton railway station, arriving at 20:20 BST.

She then came into contact with an unknown man and woman, who were believed to be worried about Fatuma, and travelled on the same train as her to Manchester Piccadilly, police have said.

She was then seen boarding a train from Manchester Piccadilly at 21:27 to Birmingham New Street before getting onto another train at 23:10 to London Euston, arriving at 01:13.

She left Euston station alone and went onto Eversholt Street towards Euston Road at 01:17.

Police believe she was at London Bridge Tube Station at 11:16 and may be in the area around Tower Bridge.

The force is also looking to trace the man and woman, who travelled on the same train as her from Bolton to Manchester Piccadilly.

GMP

Detectives think they may know where Fatuma was going after arriving in London.

Fatuma, who is described as Asian and of slim build, was last seen wearing black Hijab with a blue headscarf and black dress.

Police say the woman, who is described as black, of slim build, was wearing a light blue tunic, black pants and black trainers with a white sole.

The woman's face was covered with a white face mask and she was carrying an orange carrier bag.

GMP

Det Ch Insp Paul Rollinson said: "We are understandably extremely concerned about the welfare of this young girl who was reported missing to us last night as it would seem extremely out of character."

He added that Fatuma may have travelled to the city to pursue her ambition of setting up a clothing business near London Tower Bridge or to go sightseeing.

Police said Fatuma had not spoken to friends or family about her plans to catch a train to the capital.

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2021-07-23 20:41:05Z
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