The government’s test-and-trace programme to combat Covid-19 in England has repeatedly failed to meet targets for delivering test results and contacting infected people despite costs escalating to £22bn, a damning official report has revealed. The National Audit Office (NAO) has found that the centralised
It has become an article of faith when discussing Manchester United that whenever Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs a result, he gets one. And strangely enough, that result often comes against Manchester City. This time last year, a thrilling backs-to-the-wall victory at the Etihad decided by United’s ability on
Valtteri Bottas says he is paying no attention to the rumours suggesting he could be replaced by George Russell at Mercedes for 2021 but is aware that he can do “much better” than he has in recent races. Although seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was absent for
A Sudanese singer whose television appearance on The Voice brought him threats from security officers is facing deportation from the Netherlands, where he has lived for two years. Mohamed al-Tayeb, 30, who appeared on the Arabic version of the show in 2015, has
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has asked for more evidence before it will be willing to open an investigation into claims of genocide against Uighur people by China, but has said it will keep the file open for such further evidence to be
Lawmakers in Argentina’s lower house have passed a bill that would legalise abortion in most cases, responding to long-sought demands from women’s rights activists. The bill, which needs approval from the country’s Senate in a debate expected before the end of the
YouTube users will be able to opt out of most gambling and alcohol adverts if they don’t want to see them, using tools set to be rolled out by Google in the UK next year. Google told the Guardian that it was
The first of the 40 million Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines secured by the Government have been sent out to hospitals across the UK this week. Thousands of those at the top of the vaccination priority list are expected to receive the jab in the coming weeks.
The pandemic has made us all more active, and some of us are going on walks in our free time. If you’ve accidentally worn your best shoes out on a mucky walk, you may be wondering if it’s okay to clean them
Millions of adults will cook their first ever Christmas dinner this year – and have been practising in the run up to the big day. Researchers who polled 2,000 adults found 79 percent will cook or assist in making the festive meal
Topshop’s administrators are seeking bids of up to £200m for Sir Philip Green’s fashion chain as they try to seal a deal before Christmas. Initial bids are expected to be filed by the end of next week as part of a flurry
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been named Time magazine’s person – or persons – of the year for 2020. The magazine said: “Together, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris offered restoration and renewal in a single ticket. And America bought what they were
