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Newspaper headlines: The Queen's Covid heroes and curbs a 'last resort' Newspaper headlines: The Queen's Covid heroes and curbs a 'last resort'
(about 16 hours later)
The Daily Express is among the papers to focus on the New Year's Honours for their front pages. The Express says Britain's medical "heroes" have been recognised for leading the "battle" against Covid. It features images of professors Chris Whitty and Jonathan Van-Tam - England's chief medical officer and his deputy - alongside Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency.
The damehood of Dr Harries is the focus of the Daily Telegraph's lead story. The paper says she is being made a dame in spite of what it calls the "testing chaos" that is threatening the new year return to work and schools. Dr Harries' damehood is for services to health. She is one of hundreds of people recognised for their work during the pandemic, the paper notes.
"The Queen's Covid heroes" is the headline in the Daily Mirror, which focuses on two boys who raised almost £800,000 during the pandemic. Tobias Weller, 11, and Max Woosey, 12, are the youngest people ever to be awarded honours, the paper says.
Actor Daniel Craig being recognised in the list makes the lead for the Daily Star. Craig, best known for playing James Bond in the film franchise, was made a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for services to film and theatre. Bond was fictionally given the same honour.
The Times features an image of cyclists Jason and Laura Kenny, who have become the first couple to be made a knight and dame at the same time. But the paper's lead story is on government plans to make it easier for Indians to work and live in the UK. The paper says the proposal will form part of trade talks between the countries that are due to start within weeks.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid's vow to do everything in his power to avoid another lockdown makes the lead for the Daily Mail. Writing in the paper, Mr Javid says any new curbs on freedoms must be an "absolute last resort".
The Guardian reports that the UK government's scientific and medical advisers have faced an "appalling" level of abuse during the pandemic. The paper says its survey reveals dozens of advisers have been subjected to incidents that include co-ordinated online attacks, death threats and other acts of intimidation. One GP who works as an adviser said his surgery's receptionists had faced "vile tirades".
The Daily Express welcomes what it describes as "honours for our real heroes," picturing the medical chiefs, Sir Chris Whitty, Dame Jenny Harries and Sir Jonathan Van Tam.The Daily Express welcomes what it describes as "honours for our real heroes," picturing the medical chiefs, Sir Chris Whitty, Dame Jenny Harries and Sir Jonathan Van Tam.
The Sun dubs the Covid gongs a "great booster for 2022", while the Daily Telegraph takes a different tone in its headline "Damehood for head of chaos-hit testing system". The paper suggests the UK Health Security Agency, run by Dr Harries, is to blame for current lateral flow test shortages, having not ordered enough kits or increased their domestic production.The Sun dubs the Covid gongs a "great booster for 2022", while the Daily Telegraph takes a different tone in its headline "Damehood for head of chaos-hit testing system". The paper suggests the UK Health Security Agency, run by Dr Harries, is to blame for current lateral flow test shortages, having not ordered enough kits or increased their domestic production.
The Times says that Tony Blair's knighthood frees the way for his successors at No 10 - Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May - to be appointed. The Telegraph notes that only one other Prime Minister, Ted Heath, waited longer for the honour. The i suggests Sir Tony's Order of the Garter appointment by the Queen came as a "surprise".The Times says that Tony Blair's knighthood frees the way for his successors at No 10 - Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May - to be appointed. The Telegraph notes that only one other Prime Minister, Ted Heath, waited longer for the honour. The i suggests Sir Tony's Order of the Garter appointment by the Queen came as a "surprise".
Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair will now be Sir TonyFormer Labour prime minister Tony Blair will now be Sir Tony
The Daily Mirror focuses on two boys, aged 11 and 12, who - through their fundraising - have become the youngest people to be honoured. On its front page, the Daily Star features the award given to James Bond actor Daniel Craig. The Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, the paper points out, was also given to the fictional 007.The Daily Mirror focuses on two boys, aged 11 and 12, who - through their fundraising - have become the youngest people to be honoured. On its front page, the Daily Star features the award given to James Bond actor Daniel Craig. The Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, the paper points out, was also given to the fictional 007.
While some Covid experts have been honoured, the Guardian says a survey of the government's scientific and medical advisers reveals many have faced what it calls a "tidal wave" of threats and abuse during the pandemic. Dozens describe attacks from death threats online to suspicious packages arriving at their homes - prompting some to step up their security. Science Minister George Freeman condemned the abuse as "appalling".While some Covid experts have been honoured, the Guardian says a survey of the government's scientific and medical advisers reveals many have faced what it calls a "tidal wave" of threats and abuse during the pandemic. Dozens describe attacks from death threats online to suspicious packages arriving at their homes - prompting some to step up their security. Science Minister George Freeman condemned the abuse as "appalling".
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Writing in the Daily Mail, Health Secretary Sajid Javid says he is determined to give the country the best chance of living with Covid, saying the UK has the strongest lines of defence - in terms of boosters, testing and its anti-viral programme.Writing in the Daily Mail, Health Secretary Sajid Javid says he is determined to give the country the best chance of living with Covid, saying the UK has the strongest lines of defence - in terms of boosters, testing and its anti-viral programme.
New data suggests booster shots cut the risk of hospital admissions from Omicron by 88%, The Sun reportsNew data suggests booster shots cut the risk of hospital admissions from Omicron by 88%, The Sun reports
The Sun says new data from the UK Health Security Agency suggests booster jabs cut the risk of hospital admissions from Omicron by 88%.The Sun says new data from the UK Health Security Agency suggests booster jabs cut the risk of hospital admissions from Omicron by 88%.
The Times reports that ministers trying to secure a trade deal with India want to relax immigration rules to allow thousands of people from the country to come and work in the UK. The paper suggests easing restrictions for Indian citizens is a key demand by the government in Delhi. The Times says that one option would be to offer visas for up to three years; another to enable students to stay in the UK for a period after they graduate.The Times reports that ministers trying to secure a trade deal with India want to relax immigration rules to allow thousands of people from the country to come and work in the UK. The paper suggests easing restrictions for Indian citizens is a key demand by the government in Delhi. The Times says that one option would be to offer visas for up to three years; another to enable students to stay in the UK for a period after they graduate.
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