Three studies released on Friday offer more evidence that Covid-19 vaccines are standing up to the Omicron variant, at least among people who received booster shots. They are the first large US studies to look at vaccine protection against Omicron, health officials said. The papers echo previous research – including studies in Germany, South Africa and the UK – indicating available vaccines are less effective against Omicron than earlier versions […]

Business groups have urged the Government to take urgent action to deal with the energy crisis. They wrote to the Chancellor asking him to act “decisively” to support consumers with spiralling bills and help business manage inflated costs. They said: “In doing so the Government can set the conditions for a more resilient and competitive energy system that can underpin the UK’s transition to net zero in the years ahead. […]

We Don’t Talk About Bruno from the animated film Encanto has become the first original Disney song to reach number one in the singles chart, the Official Charts Company has confirmed. The track, which was written by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, secured 6.3 million streams in the UK this week, fending off challenges from Adele and Gayle. An ensemble piece, the recording features vocal performances from cast members including Rhenzy […]

Love Island star Liberty Poole has said Dancing On Ice viewers will get to see her as an “individual having fun” instead of in a romantic partnership. The reality TV star, 22, was coupled up with Jake Cornish in the latest series of Love Island but the pair called time on their romance just before the final and left the villa early. Poole, who is paired with professional skater Joe […]

MPs’ security costs increased by nearly a third last year and could rise further following the fatal stabbing of Sir David Amess, a watchdog has revealed. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) said the amount stood at £4.4 million for the financial year 2020/21, up from £3.4 million in 2019/20. Overall, MPs’ business costs amounted to nearly £138 million in 2020/21, IPSA said. Both staffing and office costs also rose […]