'As much of the country as possible' should go into Tier 4, scientists demand

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefMeta, the tech giant that controls the Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram social media platforms, said that it has restricted access to Russian state media within the European Union. The moves are intended to limit the spread of Russian propaganda during the country’s invasion of Ukraine.“We have received requests from a number of governments and the European Union to take further steps in relation to Russian state-controlled media.

EXCLUSIVE: The excitement surrounding Steven Knight’s upcoming big-budget BBC war thriller Rogue Heroes has ramped up another notch with buyers in Europe, Canada and Australia acquiring the drama.

CORONATION Street fans called out a "schoolboy error" in the soap's recent plotline which saw Chesney Brown say goodbye to his son. The busy dad bid farewell to eldest Joseph, who he shared with now-deceased Katy Armstrong, as the youngster prepared for a life in Portugal with his gran.

Dancing On Ice star Connor Ball has updated fans after suffering a fall and injury during Sunday night's live show.

Meena Jutla has been getting away with murder, quite literally, for a long time and it appears she still is - despite being behind bars.

Springholm Nursery held a coffee morning and table top sale on Sunday to raise some funds.

Dundee’s Stobswell community is set to make a stand against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Falkirk bus builder Alexander Dennis has been award a £62 million contract to build 137 zero emission buses, as part of the first phase of the Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund.

A Lanarkshire nurse is fronting a poignant stand against those who direct any form of abuse to health and social care professionals.

Beloved Rangers hero Brian Laudrup fears his former team's transfer business in January is having a sizeable impact on their stuttering title bid.

Franz Ferdinand have cancelled their upcoming shows in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine last week.The Scottish band have become the latest act to axe their planned Russian gigs in the wake of the widely condemned Vladimir Putin-ordered military assault, with Yungblud, Green Day and the Russian rapper Oxxxymiron also scrapping shows in recent days.After speaking out in support of the “open and welcoming” people of Kyiv last week, Franz Ferdinand have confirmed this morning (March 1) that their scheduled gigs in St Petersburg and Moscow on June 29 and July 1 will no longer take place.The band said in a statement that “the only reason for this is the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian state”.“We love Russia. This great country has inspired our band through its art and literature and since we first played there 17 years ago, we have built a rich and deep relationship with our Russian fans,” the band said.“Since Thursday morning [February 24], we have spoken to many of our friends in Russia via social media and have encountered unanimous opposition to this violence and solidarity with our Ukrainian friends.

Video: The Crown filming in Caernarfon (Wales Online)Matt Hancock says vaccine rollout will enable country to 'get rid of these blasted restrictions as soon as possible'Wayne Pivac on knowing his best Wales XVMatt Hancock says the vaccine is the route out of the Coronavirus pandemicMatt Hancock announces areas moving into tiers 3 and 4 in EnglandWhat do we know about the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine?Sage member: Oxford vaccine approval a game changerShoppers baffled by Easter eggs already appearing on supermarket shelvesTour of the Palace TheatreWhen are the 2021 bank holidays?Ambulances queue outside London hospital as patient cases in capital higher than first waveCommenting on her honour, she joked to the BBC, "I've never felt myself this

After giving Brits the good news about the approval of a second coronavirus vaccine earlier today, the UK government has followed up with a rather more grim announcement.

More than three quarters of England will be in Tier 4 from midnight tonight after a huge surge in coronavirus triggered a national lockdown in all but name.

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester will move into Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions, Matt Hancock has announced.The Health Secretary made the announcement on the region's move into the tightest set of measures as he addressed the House of Commons this afternoon (Wednesday).It means that non-essential shops, hairdressers, gyms, leisure and entertainment venues - such as cinemas - must close on top of normal Tier 3 closures.People will be asked to stay at home where possible - unless there's a reasonable excuse.Residents will also be told not to mix with anyone outside of their household or support bubble, with few exceptions.The latest announcement will also see Lancashire, Cheshire, Warrington, North East, Nottingham, Birmingham,

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester is to be placed into the toughest Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions, Matt Hancock has announced.The Health Secretary made an announcement on the tiering review across England in the House of Commons this afternoon, revealing yet more areas will face the strictest restrictions.The aim is to reduce social contact in Tier 4 areas - previously limited to London, parts of the South East and the East of England.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletterYou can sign up very simply by following the instructions hereMore parts of the country are now to be placed under the measures as the new variant of the coronavirus spreads and numbers continue to

Covid restrictions, it has been reported.Boris Johnson will make the announcement at 5pm, it has been announced, after Health Secretary Matt Hancock talks with the House of Commons.Mr Hancock is expected to place more of England into Tier 4, the strictest restrictions, which much of the south and east of England are currently in. Prior to the tier changes, Secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to make an announcement delaying the reopening of schools in January.

direct to your inboxThe government will announce later today whether the reopening of secondary schools will be delayed.Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will set out the proposals, according to Health Secretary Matt Hancock.He is expected to make the announcement following a meeting chaired by Boris Johnson.Mr Hancock told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The Education Secretary will be setting out his proposals later today. Clearly we want to protect education as much as possible.“But the new variant does make it much easier for this disease to transmit.

coronavirus, 24million people, 43% of the population, are already living under Tier 4 restrictions, with a “Stay at home” order.

direct to your inboxMillions more people moved into the toughest lockdown restrictions on Boxing Day after Matt Hancock said the new coronavirus variant was spreading at a 'dangerous rate'.From December 26, some six million people entered Tier 4, which sees strict rules on mixing and the closure of non-essential shops.A further four million people were placed under Tier 3, bringing the total in Tier 3 to 25 million people - 44 per cent of the population of England.Greater Manchester has remained in Tier 3 since the country came out of the national lockdown, with no changes in almost four weeks.Coronavirus infection rates are continuing to rise, with nine out of the region's ten boroughs seeing increases.The latest data now shows the

A French man has tested positive for the new Covid-19 strain after recently travelling from London.