The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine reduces spread of coronavirus, according to a new study, from the University of Oxford.

Just a single dose of the vaccine can be enough to reduce transmission by up to two thirds.  

At the end of last week, NHS figures showed that over 6 million adults in the UK had received their first jab.  

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that the news was ‘superb’ and offered a “way out” of the pandemic.  

It was also suggested in the study that the vaccine eliminates severe complications from the disease, as none of those in the study had been admitted to hospital with coronavirus. 

Nation pays tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore

After testing positive for COVID-19, Captain Sir Tom Moore died in Bedford Hospital on Tuesday. 

During the first lockdown last year, the 100-year-old raised almost 33 million pounds for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden. 

On the night of his death, Blackpool Tower, Wembley Stadium and the London Eye were illuminated to celebrate Captain Sir Tom Moore’s achievements. 

St Mary’s Church in Marston Moretaine will open a book of condolence, in order to allow people to honor the veteran. 

Government ‘acting slowly’ on environment protection 

According to a report from the Government spending Watch Dog, the UK’s government has been “painfully slow” towards improving environmental protection. 

The Public Accounts Committee noted that despite the pledge of ministers,10 years ago, to conserve the natural environment within a generation, there are serious delays in solving “critical” problems like air quality deterioration, water pollution and wildlife reduction. 

The committee consisting of MPs said that it can’t see a coherent set of long-term goals and interim targets in the 25-Year Environment Plan.

However, a government statement claimed that great achievement had been made and its Environment Bill would be “transformative.” 

Hope for endangered wild cattle breed

The successful birth of a female Vaynol calf through a process called embryo transfer has boosted efforts to save one of the UK’s rarest native cattle breeds. 

The calf that was born on January 6^th in Edinburgh and named “Snow” after her all white appearance and the weather conditions on the day she was born.  

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), announced the birth today, claiming the birth was “momentous for the Vaynol breed, which is among our very rarest native cattle”