The Telegraph
If you want to receive twice-daily briefings like this by email, sign up to the Front Page newsletter here. For two-minute audio updates, try The Briefing - on podcasts, smart speakers and WhatsApp. PM hails milestone as 5m more offered jab from today The Covid vaccination programme enters a new phase this week. Boris Johnson hailed a new "milestone" in the race to vaccinate the country, as more than five and a half million additional people will be invited to get their jabs from today. The Prime Minister said one million of the clinically extremely vulnerable, who have been shielding, and 4.6 million over-70s in England will join the coronavirus jabs drive. Ten new mass vaccination sites opened this morning. NHS England chief Sir Simon Stevens said the health service would start 24-hour hospital vaccinations within 10 days - something resisted by management consultants paid to speed up the programme. Ministers are increasingly optimistic they can reach their target of vaccinating the 15 million most vulnerable people with at least one dose by Feb 15. Are they on course? View our vaccine tracker and see the priority list for Covid jabs. Meanwhile, it emerged that carrying out tests of entire regions is being considered by ministers to help get the country out of lockdown. It came as Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that by the "early spring, hopefully March" some restrictions would be lifted "gradually". As Political Editor Gordon Rayner reports, mass testing by whole regions could be used to swiftly move the worst-infected areas down the tiers. Donald Trump allies 'paid to lobby for pardons' A lucrative market has emerged for presidential pardons and clemency, with associates of Donald Trump allegedly being paid to lobby on individuals' behalf. Thousands of dollars have changed hands, according to documents filed by lobbyists to Congress. While there is no suggestion of illegality, the allegations will be embarrassing for Mr Trump. It came amid speculation he is seeking a pardon for himself and family members. As Mr Trump leaves office this week, Tim Stanley argues that it is rare for a president to have shown such little personal evolution in office. Read about security preparations ahead of Wednesday's inauguration. How to stop stress getting to you on Blue Monday Blue Monday - touting the third Monday in January as the most depressing day of the year - was originally a PR stunt to sell holidays. This year, with the beleaguered nation living through a third lockdown and facing a barrage of strains, few would disagree that today feels bleak. Sustained chronic stress can have a profound effect on the immune system. Anna Maxted explores the best ways to support your body. And five leading voices reveal the best mental health advice they were given. At a glance: More coronavirus headlines Care workers | Fifth of staff in some homes refuse vaccine Study | Almost a third of recovered patients return to hospital Supermarkets | All stores face inspections in next fortnight Support | Missing loved ones causes more anxiety than virus City exodus | These property hotspots are bucking the trend Also in the news: Today's other headlines Death of a rock pioneer and killer | Phil Spector, the record producer who changed the sound of pop music in the Sixties with his "Wall of Sound" and was convicted of murdering a Hollywood actress in 2003, has died aged 81. He had been treated for Covid-19, according to reports. Read his Telegraph obituary. Music Critic Neil McCormick says Spector's masterful music will play on long after its vile creator is history. Policing | Lack of bobbies on beat fuels rise in serious crime Lord Sumption | 'Cancer patient's life less valuable than others' 'Cocaine hippos' | Escobar's mammals face cull in Colombia 'Sad news' | Ex-Colonel read of his own death in a newsletter Perfect storm | York and Leeds to flood as snow melts in heavy rain Around the world: Putin critic flies into a storm Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was detained by authorities at a Moscow airport yesterday after flying into the country for the first time since he was poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent and airlifted to Germany for treatment. Read our report from Russia Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva and view more of the weekend's world pictures.
