UK

Authorities did an “exemplary job” rescuing the crew onboard a tanker hijacked off the Isle of Wight, Matt Hancock has said. Seven people have been detained after about 16 Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos boarded the Nave Andromeda on Sunday night and regained control of the vessel. “I can confirm the crew are safe and

Seven people have been detained following a security incident on an oil tanker off the Isle of Wight, Sky News understands. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) tweeted that according to “initial reports”, the crew are safe and well. Sky News’ defence correspondent, Alistair Bunkall, said Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos boarded the Nave Andromeda and

Contacts of people infected with coronavirus may have to self-isolate for as little as seven days amid concerns in Whitehall about the levels of public compliance with the NHS Test and Trace system. Officials on the government’s COVID-19 taskforce are understood to be examining the case for reducing the current fortnight period of isolation to

Shoppers in Wales have criticised government measures which mean “non-essential items” have been put behind metal barriers or covered with plastic sheeting in supermarkets. Photos on social media shows products such as pillows and bedsheets under a plastic covering at a Tesco store, while a photo from a Morrisons supermarket shows children’s clothes behind a

The Welsh government is to review how the ban on supermarkets selling non-essential items is working to make sure “common sense is applied”, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said. More than 34,000 people had signed a petition calling on politicians to reverse the ban on Saturday, which it described as “disproportionate and cruel”. As Wales

A senior intensive care consultant in Wales has told Sky News the country’s hospitals are in danger of being overwhelmed by the second wave of coronavirus – as the nation enters a 17-day “firebreak” lockdown. Anaesthetist Dr Ami Jones is hoping the move will buy time and ease pressure on an already strained health system.

There were 2,703 excess deaths across England and Wales in September, official figures show – but coronavirus was not in the 10 leading causes of fatality. The numbers released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), are relative to the five-year average, counting from 2015 to 2019. The leading cause of death in September for

The Maldives, Canary Islands, Mykonos and Denmark have been removed from the UK’s quarantine list. This means people will no longer need to self-isolate for 14 days when returning from these places from 4am on Sunday. This could lead to a surge of bookings for October half-term breaks and holidaymakers seeking winter sun. Lichtenstein is

Hospitals in Liverpool are now seeing more coronavirus patients than in the first peak in April, a hospital trust medical director has said. Dr Tristan Cope, the medical director at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Royal, Aintree and Broadgreen hospitals, said a “huge strain” had been placed on staff – and added

The number of people reported to have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK has gone up by a record 26,688. It is the highest daily rise since 4 October, when 22,961 cases were recorded, although that number was inflated because of a system glitch. A further 191 deaths have also been confirmed within 28

Around 1.4 million people in South Yorkshire will face living under England’s toughest coronavirus restrictions, mayor Dan Jarvis has announced. The move to Tier 3 will affect Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and happen from 12:01am on Saturday. Mr Jarvis revealed local leaders secured £41m of funding from the government “to support our people and

Greater Manchester will enter Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions from Friday, Boris Johnson has confirmed. The prime minister announced the move to tougher COVID-19 measures – the top alert level, called “very high” – after talks with local leaders ended without a deal. The imposition of extra restrictions comes amid a bitter row with politicians in

Weekly deaths linked to coronavirus have risen to their highest level in England and Wales since the beginning of July, according to the Office for National Statistics.  A total of 438 deaths were registered in the week ending 9 October with COVID-19 mentioned on the death certificate. This is up from 321 deaths in the

Wales will be placed into a circuit break lockdown for 17 days from 6pm on Friday, the Welsh government has announced. The new coronavirus lockdown will take Wales back to the restrictions introduced in March, with most businesses shutting, and people being told to stay at home and work from home where possible. Announcing the

Andy Burnham is facing a new clash with Boris Johnson over claims that hospitals in Greater Manchester are running out of beds to treat people infected with COVID-19. As the Greater Manchester mayor battles with the prime minister over Tier 3 status and cash to support businesses forced to close, it is reported that some

Michael Gove has accused Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham of “posturing” and “political positioning” in refusing to accept strict new COVID-19 rules. The government is currently at a stand-off with Mr Burnham over whether his region should be moved into the highest alert level of the new three-tier system for local coronavirus lockdowns. Before agreeing