Monday 15th March:
–Grammys saw records being broken – The 63rd Grammys took place on Monday 15th March and saw Taylor Swift make history becoming the first female artist ever to win album of the year three times. Beyoncé also made history with her 28th win as she is now the most-awarded woman in Grammys history overtaking Alison Krauss.
–Boris Johnson shares concerns after weekend vigil – Boris Johnson has said he is “deeply concerned” by the events surrounding the Sarah Everard vigil as claims of officers manhandling women have grown. Met Police commissioner, Cressida Dick has said she will not resign despite public pressure.
–Autumn COVID-19 restrictions- Although many are set for a summer in beer gardens, the head of the Office for National Statistics says a third wave of Covid-19 this summer is inevitable. Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical advisor said “I have no doubt that in the autumn there will be a further wave of infections.” It appears although restrictions are easing for now, this autumn could be far from normal.
–Spain introduces a four-day week – Spain is set to become one of the first countries to trial a four-day working week. The country have launched a pilot project for firms interested in the idea. “With the four-day work week (32 hours), we’re launching into the real debate of our times,” said Inigo Errejon of Mas Pais, a supporter of the scheme. “It’s an idea whose time has come.”
Tuesday 16th March:
–Thorntons are not reopening – Thorntons have said that none of its stores will reopen after the lockdown, putting over 600 jobs at risk. The pandemic forced the chocolate maker’s to shut their doors during the crucial Christmas and Easter holidays, but they did see a huge rise in online sales with an increase of over 70%. The company says it will continue to sell online.
–Plain clothed officer to patrol pubs – Police officers in plain clothes could start patrolling bars and nightclubs as part of government plans to protect women. Ministers claim they want to take “immediate steps to provide further reassurance” for women and girls after the death of Sarah Everard.
–WHO states AstraZeneca is safe – Germany, France, Italy and Spain are just a few of the European countries that halted AstraZeneca vaccines being given out claiming they cause blood clots. Experts have stated there is no truth to the claim and the World Health Organization has called on countries to continue the rollout.
Wednesday 17th March:
–Shootings in Georgia, USA– Eight people, including at least six Asian women, have been killed in three spas in Georgia. Authorities charged Robert Aaron Long, 21, on Wednesday with eight counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault. Although no motive has been confirmed, it was only last week when President Biden drew attention to “vicious hate crimes against Asian-Americans who have been attacked, harassed, blamed and scapegoated” for Covid-19. Since, Biden has said ‘silence is complicity’.
–Thieves to be tagged – Burglars, robbers and thieves are all to be tagged with a GPS tracker under a new pilot scheme by the Ministry of Justice. The pilot scheme is taking place in Gwent, Avon and Somerset, Cheshire, Gloucestershire, Humberside and the West Midlands. With the scheme, offenders will be automatically tagged for up to 12 months after their release from prison. The authorities hope this will act as a deterrent.
–Public call for COVID enquiry – Doctors, government scientific advisers and a former head of the civil service have joined forces calling for a public enquiry into the government’s handling of the pandemic. In support are thousands of bereaved families as well as ethnic minority leaders. A leading scientific advisor to the British government, Prof John Edmunds has said, “An event of this magnitude needs to be looked at in detail, including – if necessary – compelling witnesses to attend.”
–Uber drivers guaranteed pensions, holiday pay and minimum wage – Uber has announced that their 70,000 UK drivers will be guaranteed minimum wage, holiday pay and pensions. This comes after the app lost a legal battle in the UK over drivers’ status. The development is expected to have significant consequences for the gig economy.
Thursday 18th March:
–UK are halfway to Carbon target – Britain is already halfway to their goal of being carbon neural by 2050 with carbon emissions falling by 13% last year, being the lowest level in almost 150 years! The most contributing factor is said to be the closure of coal-fired power stations.
–Misogyny to be classed as a hate crime – As of Autumn 2021, misogyny is to be classed as a hate crime by police. Officers will be asked to record and identify violent crimes which are believed to be motivated by “hostility based on their sex”. Studies in a recent UN Women UK poll have claimed eight in 10 women say they have harassed in public with 90% of cases not being reported.
–Trumps wealth dropped during presidency– During Donald Trumps time as president, his net worth dropped by around £501 million. It is said that this rapid drop was due to Trump’s office buildings, hotels and resorts all losing revenue while he was in the White House. Real estate also took a hard hit by the pandemic, which accounts for three-quarters of Trump’s net worth. Trump is currently under a criminal investigation into his financial affairs and family business.
Friday 19th March:
–AstraZeneca ruled as safe – Many countries have resumed the AstraZeneca jab rollout as regulators have declared the vaccine as safe and its benefits “far outweigh any risks”. PM, Boris Johnson got his first dose of the vaccine today. He said: “The Oxford jab is safe and the Pfizer jab is safe. The thing that isn’t safe is catching Covid, which is why it is so important that we all get our jabs as soon as our turn comes.”
–Jabs alone “won’t stop Covid”– A new study by the University of Warwick has said vaccinations “won’t be enough” to contain the spread of Covid-19. Measures such as hand hygiene, masks and isolating may be necessary for “some time” longer. However, they also claimed the gradual easing of restrictions over a long period of many months could reduce the peak of future waves,
–The Sun investigator illegally accessed Duchess of Sussex’s private information – A private investigator employed by The Sun has admitted to illegally accessing the Duchess of Sussex’s private information. Dan Hanks said he compiled a 90-page report in 2016 shortly after the public became aware of her relationship with Prince Harry. The information included phone numbers of her relatives, background information on her ex partner and Meghan’s personal social security number.