Daily politics briefing: March 7

Take a look at all the key facts behind the day's political headlines on March 7.The Prime Minister has vowed to remain “cautious” in loosening coronavirus restrictions as pupils prepare to return to school for the first time in two months on..

Joe Biden hails Senate passage of virus aid bill

US President Joe Biden on Saturday hailed the passage of the American Rescue plan by an exhausted Senate.Politicians narrowly approved a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill on Saturday as Biden and his Democratic allies notched a victory they called..

Police ‘increasingly concerned’ for woman missing since Wednesday

Police investigating the “totally out of character” disappearance of a woman missing since Wednesday evening have released a CCTV image of her.Sarah Everard, 33, left a friend’s house in Clapham, south London, at around 9pm and began walking..

British Royals speak ahead of Commonwealth Day

Senior members of the UK royal family have paid tribute to the world's healthcare workers amid the coronavirus pandemic, appearing in a special BBC programme to be screened on Sunday to celebrate Commonwealth Day.See restrictions. Must credit: BBC..

Sheff Utd 0-2 Southampton: Chris Wilder press conference

Chris Wilder holds a press conference after Sheffield United's Premier League 2-0 defeat to Southampton.The relegation-haunted Blades were unable to build on their morale-boosting midweek win against Aston Villa, which offered a glimmer of hope that..

Mikel Arteta 'disappointed' with 1-1 draw against Burnley

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reviews his side's 1-1 draw against Burnley in the Premier LeagueArteta was left incensed that Arsenal did not get a penalty when the ball hit Pieters on the arm at close range as he challenged Nicolas Pepe, but accepted..

Coronavirus vaccine in numbers: Nearly 21.8 million receive first dose jab

Government data up to March 5 shows that of the 22,887,118 jabs given in the UK so far, 21,796,278 were first doses – a rise of 437,463 on the previous day.Some 1,090,840 were second doses, an increase of 56,772.

Coronavirus in numbers: UK deaths near 125,000

The Government said a further 158 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Saturday, bringing the UK total to 124,419.The Government also said that, as of 9am on Saturday, there had been a further 6,040 lab-confirmed cases..

Rangers fans breach lockdown restrictions with Ibrox gathering

Rangers fans let off smoke bombs outside Ibrox ahead of the match against St Mirren. Expectation is building ahead of a potential first league title success in a decade.Scotland remains under strict lockdown measures amid the pandemic with supporters..

Nasa's Perseverance makes first journey on Mars

Nasa’s newest Mars rover makes its first test drive, wiggling its wheels and travelling 6.5m on the red planet.The Perseverance ventured from its landing position on Thursday, two weeks after setting down on Mars to seek signs of past life.

York Minster’s Grand Organ is to be played during worship for first time in more than two years

York Minster’s Grand Organ is to be played during worship for the first time in more than two years after a £2 million “once-in-a-century” refurbishment.A prayer will be said for the organ during the cathedral’s livestreamed Eucharist service..

Daily politics briefing: March 6

Have a look at all the key facts behind the day's political headlines on March 6, as Downing Street spends more than £2.6 million on refurbishments to hold White House-style press briefings, the PA news agency can disclose.The cost of the renovations..

Pope Francis meets top Shiite cleric in Iraq

Pope Francis met Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani – one of the most senior clerics in Shiite Islam – in Iraq’s holy city of Najaf on Saturday to deliver a message of peaceful co-existence, urging Muslims to embrace Iraq’s long-beleaguered..

Alix Popham urges rugby authorities to act on proposed concussion reforms

Former Wales flanker Alix Popham insists rugby must act urgently to protect its players from the long-term impact of concussion.

16-year-old girl dies after ‘serious incident’ in South Wales

A teenage girl has died in “sudden and unexplained” circumstances following a “serious incident” in South Wales.

Coronavirus in numbers: UK death toll rises by 236

The Government said a further 236 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19, bringing the UK total to 124,261.

Coronavirus vaccine in numbers: 21 million receive first dose jab

Government data up to March 5 shows that 21,358,815 people have received a first dose of the coronavirus vaccine - a rise of 376,244 on the previous day.

South Wales Police responding to ‘serious’ incident

Police are dealing with a “serious” incident involving “a number of casualties” in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Health Secretary: 1% pay offer for NHS staff based on 'affordability'

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said a proposed 1% pay rise for NHS staff was being put forward on the basis of “affordability”.

Drone footage shows homes at risk on cliff edge

Devastating cliff collapses that sent a family home tumbling over the edge are threatening more houses in a seaside community.

Mohamed Salah reaction does not require speaking about - Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp does not believe the Mohamed Salah situation warrants “a proper talk” and insists he cannot make substitutions on the basis of what reaction it creates.

Matt Hancock: Two in five adults have had Covid-19 vaccine

Health Secretary Matt Hancock praised the UK's vaccine rollout as he announced that two in five adults has had a first dose of the Covid-19 jab.

Mystery sixth case of Brazilian variant identified, says Health Secretary

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said that the mystery sixth case of the Brazilian P1 variant of coronavirus has been identified.

Premier League match preview: Man City v Man United

Manchester United travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to take on rivals Manchester City. Take a look at the key stats for the weekend's Manchester derby.

Schools begin Covid-19 testing ahead of return of pupils on March 8

Schools have begun Covid-19 testing on pupils ahead of their return on Monday. Students at secondary schools and colleges will receive two tests a week to help keep rates of coronavirus down.

Unite: We need more than clapping, Government needs to pay up

Unite national officer for health Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe reacts to the Government's recommendation of a 1% pay rise for NHS workers.

Mail On Sunday ordered to print front-page statement on Meghan’s copyright win

The Mail On Sunday must publish a front-page statement about the Duchess of Sussex’s victory in her copyright claim against the newspaper over the publication of a letter to her father, the High Court has ruled.

Sturgeon ‘hopeful’ of speedier easing of rules on outdoor meeting

The Scottish Government may be able to accelerate the relaxation of rules on meeting outdoors, Nicola Sturgeon has said.She praised progress on driving down the spread of the virus across Scotland and on vaccinations, as she announced 498 cases in the..

Nurse brands proposed £3.50-a-week pay rise 'an absolute disgrace'

Kirsty Brewerton, a clinical sister from Coventry, said the proposed 1% pay rise from the Government for healthcare staff is "an absolute disgrace".

It's 'liberating' to make choices on your own, says Meghan

The Duchess of Sussex has said it is “liberating” to be able to have the “right and privilege” to be able to “say yes” to an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Duke of Edinburgh moved back to King Edward VII’s Hospital after surgery

The Duke of Edinburgh has left the NHS hospital where he had heart surgery and has been moved back to the private King Edward VII’s Hospital to recuperate, Buckingham Palace said.Philip, 99, underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart..

Pope arrives in Iraq to rally Christians despite pandemic

Pope Francis has arrived in Iraq to urge the country’s dwindling number of Christians to stay put and help rebuild the country after years of war and persecution, brushing aside the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns to make his first papal..

Steven Gerrard assesses some essential Ibrox upgrades as Rangers close on glory

Boss Steven Gerrard admits he is looking forward to doing some home improvements around Ibrox as he ponders replacing the banners which proclaim the Light Blues mere 54-time champions of Scotland.Rangers are just four points away from being crowned..

Cyprus to welcome British tourists from May 1

Cyprus said it will open its borders to vaccinated Britons from the beginning of May - although UK Government restrictions on foreign travel will still be in force.

Daily politics briefing: March 5

Take a look at all the key facts behind the day's political headlines on March 5.

Government faces backlash over proposed 1% pay rise for NHS staff

The Government is facing criticism after calling for NHS staff in England to be restricted to a pay rise of just 1%.Ministers defended the proposal at a time when the economy is under “huge pressure” as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tsunami warnings issued after 8.1 magnitude earthquake near New Zealand

Tsunami warnings were triggered across the South Pacific following one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in modern history.The magnitude 8.1 quake in the Kermadec Islands region about 620 miles from New Zealand’s two main islands was..

Latest revelations from Duchess of Sussex interview

The Duchess of Sussex has accused the royal family of “perpetuating falsehoods” about her and Harry in the latest dramatic footage released from her Oprah Winfrey interview.Meghan defended her decision to speak to the chat show queen suggesting..

Miniatures business thrives with global orders during lockdown

Pauline Millard surveys part of a collection of over 200,000 handmade miniatures at Weaverthorpe Dolls House Miniatures situated in the heart of the Yorkshire Wolds, as business booms during lockdown.

Michelle O’Neill: UK Government acted in extreme bad faith over Northern Ireland Protocol

Michelle O’Neill has accused the UK Government of upping the ante over the Northern Ireland Protocol with a display of “extreme bad faith”.Stormont’s deputy First Minister said the joint EU/UK committee on the implementation of the protocol..

Artwork on former prison confirmed as Banksy

Street artist Banksy has claimed responsibility for a painting on the side of a former prison which housed playwright Oscar Wilde.The artwork, on the red brick wall of the former Reading Prison, shows an inmate escaping lockdown using a knotted spool..

Douglas Ross: Nicola Sturgeon must go after Holyrood inquiry

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives Douglas Ross has said that Nicola Sturgeon “must go” after her appearance before the Holyrood inquiry into her government’s unlawful investigation of Alex Salmond on Wednesday.

Coronavirus in numbers: UK deaths at 124,025

The Government said a further 242 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday.

Coronavirus vaccine in numbers: Nearly 21 million receive first dose jab

Government data up to March 3 shows that of the 21,946,433 jabs given in the UK so far, 20,982,571 were first doses – a rise of 278,956 on the previous day.

Former Home Office boss settles tribunal claim against Government

Former top Home Office civil servant Sir Philip Rutnam has settled his employment tribunal claim against the Government.The department’s ex-permanent secretary launched legal action against Home Secretary Priti Patel last year.

Sadiq Khan launches mayor of London re-election bid

Sadiq Khan is putting employment at the heart of his campaign to be re-elected as London mayor.The election takes place on May 6.

Boris Johnson hails Treasury jobs move to Darlington

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says it is 'fantastic' that hundreds of Treasury jobs will move to Darlington. The PM also said the criteria used to determine which areas received town deal funding was done in an "impartial way".

Chris Kamara ‘feeling great’ after getting Covid jab

TV presenter Chris Kamara has urged people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities to get the Covid-19 vaccine.The Sky Sports analyst said he was “feeling great” after getting his first jab and hoped it would accelerate a return..

Amazon opens UK store without tills

Amazon has opened its first grocery store on the UK high street, with customers able to shop without the need to queue at a till.

What has happened so far in the Alex Salmond inquiry?

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has now appeared before the Holyrood inquiry into her government’s unlawful investigation of Alex Salmond – answering questions from MSPs for some eight hours. We look at what has happened so far.