Monday 28th December:
–12 new species found in the Atlantic Ocean. These include new species of coral and molluscs. However, they are under threat from climate change.
–Michael Gove: “We are confident that we will be able to get schools back in good order.” Primary schools are expected to continue as normal, as well as students in exam years.
–A EU-UK trade deal will be approved on the 1st. The deal includes things like being able to trade without quotas or tariffs and continued transport links.
–Unhealthy foods will not be displayed at checkouts. This will not come into force until April 2022 but it is part of the Governments plan to tackle obesity.
–2020’s worldwide weather damaged cost more than in 2019. These weather damages cost $150bn and include the Australian Bushfires. This put into perspective how much climate change costs.
Tuesday 29th December
–Pierre Cardin dies aged 98. The French fashion designer creations were popular among all social classes during the 50s and 60s, some were even worn by The Beatles.
–Diego Costa’s contract ends early. The footballer asked Atletico Madrid if he could leave early due to personal reasons.
–UK reaches highest number of COVID cases. The number reached 53,135 with 414 deaths. This comes after people were allowed to mix with others over Christmas.
–Deadly earthquake in Croatia. It reached 6.3 on the Richter scale, killing six people and caused entire buildings to collapse.
Wednesday 30th December
–Another COVID vaccine has been approved for UK use. It is called Oxford-AstraZeneca and “the UK has ordered 100 million doses – enough to vaccinate 50 million people”.
–Party app, Vybe Together, has been taken off the Apple App Store. This comes as groups were getting together to party despite pandemic rules.
–Argentina legalises abortion. President Alberto Fernandez said: “More than 3,000 women have died as a result of unsafe, underground abortion.” Argentina is only the third country in South America to legalise abortion.
–Delays in some students returning to education. The Government is going to announce that exam years will have online or remote lessons. Many return dates depend on the tier that the area is in.
–National History Museum identifies 503 new species. This discovery includes a new species of monkey called Popa langur that had previously been misidentified with another species.
Thursday 31st December
–Tommy Docherty died aged 92. The former Manchester United manager also managed Chelsea, Rotherham and Aston Villa.
–Another record-breaking record of COVID cases for the UK. It has been reported that there is 55,892 daily cases of the virus and hospitals are coming under pressure from the amount of cases.
–Tampon tax will be removed. There is an EU law that renders member states unable to reduce tampon tax below 5%. However, leaving the EU means the UK can abolish this.
–JPI Media has been sold. It has been bought by a company called National World for £10m. This will affect newspapers such as Sheffield Star and Yorkshire Post.
–Plans for the UK Disney park is revealed. The park will be built on part of the Thames River and will cost around £3.5bn to build. It is said the park will be open in 2024.
Friday 1st January
–The UK has stopped following EU rules. This means there are new rules on trade, immigration, travel and many others. However, this has caused some disturbance with freight loads being turned away due to having the wrong paperwork.
–Tokyo Olympics will do ahead. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has announced that the Olympics, starting on 23rd July, and Paralympics, starting on 24th August, will go ahead.
–Mark Eden dies aged 92. The actor played the villain, Alan Bradley, on Coronation Street.
–There has been in increase in Antidepressant use. This comes as the COVID rules have put a temporary stop to counselling sessions.
A happy New Year from us all at The Student Aspect Magazine.