Monday 22nd February:
–Boris Johnson unveils the UK lockdown plan – This includes schools going back on March 8th and his “cautious” four-part plan to ease lockdown restrictions as the vaccine rollout carries on at a high pace.
–Texas storm – Storms across Texas continue leaving millions without power and over 20 dead. This devastating storm is said to be a ‘wake up call’ to the American government as many Texans suffer in this time.
–Employers plan recruitment push – 56% of UK employers plan a recruitment push in the next three months, particularly in the healthcare, insurance and education sectors.
–Homeless deaths surge due to pandemic – New research shows deaths have surged by more than a third of homeless people due to the pandemic, with almost 1000 dying last year in the UK
–Prince Philip in ‘stable’ condition after being admitted to hospital over a week ago – Grandson, Prince William has said his 99-year-old Grandfather is in stable condition after being admitted to hospital last week. The admission was not related to Covid-19 and was a precautionary measure.
Tuesday 23rd February:
–Wife of Mexican drug lord Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman is arrested – Emma Coronel Aispuro was detained at Washington Dulles International Airport, is charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana. Her husband Guzmán is currently serving a life sentence for drug trafficking and money laundering.
–Biden sees another Covid milestone in America – Joe Biden urged the country to unite in its battle against Covid-19 as the nation’s death toll from the virus passed half a million. “I ask all Americans to remember those we lost and those we left behind, but as we all remember, I also ask us to act, to remain vigilant, to stay socially distanced, to mask up, get vaccinated when it’s your turn.” More than 28.1 million Americans have so far been infected – another global record.
–Furlough expected to be extended till May – Boris Johnson has suggested that the furlough scheme will continue beyond next month as he pledged not to “pull the rug out” while lockdown restrictions are being eased.
-NHS to trial smear tests from home – Around 31,000 women in London are being offered “do-it-at-home” smear tests to check for early warnings of cervical cancer, as part of an NHS trial.
-Emma Watson to take a break from acting – It is unknown whether Watson has retired or just taken a break, but the star is said to have taken some time to focus on herself and other things. Watson first found fame aged 11 in the Harry Potter series.
Wednesday 24th February:
–No early end to lockdown in the UK – Downing Street has denied reports in the Daily Telegraph that the plan to lift Covid restrictions could be accelerated if the effect of vaccines is better than expected. PM, Boris Johnson insisted the dates attached to the easing of measures were the earliest possible dates.
–Summer schools for hardest hit students – It has been annouced that secondary schools in England will be funded to run summer schools for pupils worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
–Tiger Woods undergoes surgery after serious car incident – Champion golfer, Tiger Woods is undergoing emergency surgery for injuries to both of his legs after being pried from his car following an accident in Los Angeles.
–Elon Musk loses his ‘richest’ title – Elon Musk has lost his title of the world’s richest person following a 20% slide in Tesla’s shares. Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos returned to the top.
–‘That Vegan Teacher’ is banned from Tik Tok – A petition with over 20,000 saw ‘That Vegan Teacher’ being kicked off the platform for good. The petition claimed her content to be ”morally and ethically repugnant”.
Thursday 25th February:
–Festivals are said to return this summer in the UK – Live music fans have sold out Reading and Leeds Festival tickets upon their announcement to return this summer. The organisers have yet to confirm whether they will require people to present vaccine passports or Covid test results to gain entry.
–Lady Gaga pleads with the public to find her dogs after her dog walker was shot trying to protect Gaga’s bulldogs – Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, 30, was shot in the chest as he tried to save the dogs in a dognapping incident. She has offered $500,000 to anyone who can return her dogs ‘no questions asked’. Ryan Fischer is said to be in stable condition after Gaga called him her ‘hero’.
–Italian landslide sees hundreds of coffins tipped into the sea – A landslide in the North-West of Italy sees hundreds of coffins fall into the waters off Camogli, near Genoa. The village mayor said it was an “unimaginable catastrophe” in an area prone to cliff collapse.
–University study shows Covid-19 to survive on fabric for up to 3 days – De Montfort University in Leicester tested a model coronavirus on polyester, polycotton and 100% cotton. It is said that the virus survived for 3 days on polyester and 1 day on Cotton but just 6 hours on polycotton.
Friday 26th February:
-Queen urges Britons to get the Covid jab when offered, urging the public to ‘think of others’ – Queen Elizabeth II has said the jab ”didn’t hurt at all” and told those who were hesitant to get the jab to “think about other people rather than themselves”. The Queen rarely speaks of her health but urged the public to be selfless.
–Shamima Begum cannot return to the UK, Supreme Court rules – A unanimous ruling of the court found her rights were not breached when she was refused permission to return to the UK.
–Mr Potato Head rebrand – Famous kids toy known as Mr Potato Head will be renamed to ‘Potato Head’ as part of a gender-neutral makeover after 70 years.
–Demi Lovato took to Instagram about why gender reveals are transphobic – Famous actress ad singer, Demi Lovato has taken to Instagram to share a nine-part post about why the growing trend of ‘gender reveals’ are insincere and transphobic. She has increasingly been using her platform to highlight her political views and social injustices recently.
–Prince Harry featured on The Late Late Show – Prince Harry made an appearance on James Cordens, The Late Late Show. He spoke family life and about stepping down from royal duties. Prince Harry insisted that he will “never walk away” from the British royal family and he did “what any husband or father would do” by moving to the US.