Anti-vaccination protesters tried to storm the headquarters of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in London on Friday, with four police officers injured in the melee.
“A number of protesters have become violent towards police … This is unacceptable,” Scotland Yard tweeted in response to violence in the Canary Wharf area of the capital.
“The police have been here all week because we were expecting Extinction Rebellion, so most of the police and security's been outside the banks,” Canary Wharf councillor Andrew Wood said.
“So, whether the anti-vaxxers realised this or not, the police were ready for a protest. It's just that it was anti-vaxxers not Extinction Rebellion who turned up this afternoon.”
London police have been on high alert the past two weeks as Extinction Rebellion held a series of rolling protests demanding an end to the funding of fossil fuels, with protests taking place at Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and the Bank of England.
Video posted on social media showed anti-vaccination protesters reaching the doors of MHRA headquarters, with security guards on the other side.
Seconds later, police pushed their way through the crowd and formed a cordon outside the building's entrance and scuffled with protesters trying to enter.
The mask-free demonstrators shouted that they were there “to protect the next generation”.
They later moved towards central London and gathered outside the Science Museum, where they clashed with police, who proceeded to make arrests.
The latest protests, comprising dozens of demonstrators who massed at several sites throughout the afternoon, comes after anti-vaccination protesters stormed the offices of UK television news broadcaster ITN at the end of August.
Britain is continuing its successful mass vaccination drive, which has resulted in more than three quarters of adults becoming fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
On Friday, teenagers with underlying health conditions became eligible for the vaccine for the first time, but scientists have ruled out the necessity of injections for healthy children aged 12-15.
One of the next key hurdles is the back-to-school season in England, top epidemiologist Prof Neil Ferguson said, as it is likely to bring a “significant surge” in Covid-19 infections.
“Whether that’s going to require any rolling back of the relaxation of restrictions is too early to say. It really depends on the level of healthcare demand,” he said.
Vaccines have led to fewer hospital admissions, but a very high number of cases could still lead to pressure on the healthcare system, he added.
The UK government is also spending millions of pounds on air quality monitors in classrooms in an attempt to understand and limit classroom infections.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
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
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Results
Women finals: 48kg - Urantsetseg Munkhbat (MGL) bt Distria Krasniqi (KOS); 52kg - Odette Guiffrida (ITA) bt Majlinda Kelmendi (KOS); 57kg - Nora Gjakova (KOS) bt Anastasiia Konkina (Rus)
Men’s finals: 60kg - Amiran Papinashvili (GEO) bt Francisco Garrigos (ESP); 66kg - Vazha Margvelashvili (Geo) bt Yerlan Serikzhanov (KAZ)
Abu Dhabi Card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,400m
National selection: AF Mohanak
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National selection: Jayide Al Boraq
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 100,000 1,400m
National selection: Rocket Power
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh 180,000 1,600m
National selection: Ihtesham
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,600m
National selection: Noof KB
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 2.200m
National selection: EL Faust
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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