Britain on Tuesday said it would launch an international expert group to help the world prepare for the next pandemic and hasten the development of vaccines against future diseases as they emerge.
Launched under Britain's presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) wealthy nations, the Pandemic Preparedness Partnership will report to the G7 leaders summit in June.
It will advise on how to achieve Prime Minister Boris Johnson's target of developing vaccines against future diseases within 100 days.
"As G7 president, the UK is determined to work with our partners to build back better from coronavirus and strengthen global preparedness for future pandemics," Health Minister Matt Hancock said before a two-day online meeting of the group.
"This new expert group will drive our efforts in the years ahead to protect people everywhere from new diseases and to save lives."
The move comes as Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove travels to Israel to study a Covid "green pass" smartphone app that could soon be the model for vaccine passports in the UK.
Mr Gove is being accompanied by Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer.
UK ministers have previously said the world lacks a coordinated response to the pandemic, with many countries retreating to "vaccine nationalism" given the finite number of doses.
This means poorer countries have had limited access to vaccines while advanced economies have progressed to inoculating younger, healthier citizens.
The EU, a large manufacturing base for medical supplies, earlier this year imposed export controls on Covid-19 vaccines to shore up supplies for its own population.
The expert group will be chaired by the UK government's chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance, and its steering group includes executives from Covid-19 vaccine makers AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, as well as scientists.
Britain said there would also be £16 million ($22.3m) more funding for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to support global vaccine supply and development.
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
COPA DEL REY
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The%20specs
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The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
