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In the final weekend before Christmas, it was announced that parts of England would enter a new stricter Tier 4 lockdown over concerns of a more infectious COVID-19 strain. In response, France blocked all travel from the UK, initially set to last for 48 hours from Sunday, including a ban on British freight hauliers. Other countries across Europe also suspended flights from the UK.
With just a few days left until the end of the Brexit transition period, there were already concerns about the UK’s food supply. While 52% of the country’s food needs are met by domestic production, about 29% of food comes from EU countries. When it comes to greens, about 40% of vegetables and 37% of fruit sold in the UK is imported from EU countries. Not only is food likely to get a lot more expensive, but – especially during a pandemic –
healthier food for those on low income will become harder to afford.
Changes to Christmas plans will have left many people bitterly disappointed – a psychologist gives some tips on how to cope, while others will be looking to the Queen. And if you can’t escape the
llamas everywhere, on mugs, cushions and cards, why not join them: everything you need to know about the real thing.
If you enjoy our coverage and think it’s important please donate to help us continue. We’re a charity that brings you the best in expert knowledge, whether to inform during a crisis or to provide some joy in dark times. And if you have already donated, thank you.
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Judith Ugwumadu
Commissioning Editor, Business + Economy
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Affordability issues mean low-income households could eat more unhealthy amid COVID-19.
Anna Levan/Shutterstock
Tony Heron, University of York; Bob Doherty, University of York
Although 52% of the UK’s food needs are currently met by domestic production, the remainder is heavily dependent on imports from the EU.
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BBC/YouTube
Judi Atkins, Aston University
More than ever, the language used by Elizabeth II could be a source of reassurance for families seeking stability.
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Llamas In a pen, Pasajes, Tarija, Bolivia.
Insights/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Emily Wakild, Boise State University
Llama toys, therapy lamas, petting zoo llamas: llamas are hot in the US, surpassing unicorns in popularity, but their relationship with South American people stretches over 7,000 years.
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Health + Medicine
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Jimmy Whitworth, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
The new coronavirus strain probably is more infectious – but even if not, case numbers desperately needed controlling.
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Christian van Nieuwerburgh, University of East London
Keep calm, carry on and help others. Here's what psychology says about the best way to get through a difficult Christmas.
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Jasmine Hearn, Manchester Metropolitan University; Stella Bullo, Manchester Metropolitan University
Finding a more personal and expressive way to talk about pain can empower sufferers and may help diagnose some conditions.
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Science + Technology
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Lars Eklund, University of Glasgow
New physics may be needed to explain why there's more matter than antimatter in the universe.
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Antonio J Torija Martinez, University of Salford
We've devised a way to factor in noise annoyance levels in drone design.
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Jessica Steinberg, University of Oxford
Out of the 400 plus chemical compounds in the cannabis plant, CBD and THC are only the most well-known, and researched, cannabinoids.
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Politics + Society
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Katy Dineen, University College Cork
Understanding our own limitations, and turning to hope, can help us deal with hardship.
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Amelie Theussen, University of Southern Denmark; Dominika Kunertova, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
Calls to keep talking are getting louder out of fear of escalation and ultimately war – but why are diplomatic relations so difficult for Nato and Russia?
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Environment + Energy
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David Williams, University of Leeds; Michael Clark, University of Oxford
Our research shows we could feed the world sustainably – but conservation will have to become a lot more proactive.
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Arts + Culture
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Rodolfo Galvan Estrada III, Fuller Theological Seminary
The differences in the Gospels are hard to reconcile. That's because, says a scholar, they offer an important insight into the Greco-Roman views of ethnic identity.
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Featured events
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East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB11PT, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Anglia Ruskin University
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Online, York, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of York
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East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB11PT, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Anglia Ruskin University
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Lecture Theatre 1, Richmond Building, Portland Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3DE, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Portsmouth
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