Britain secures 5 million doses of new Covid jab

Latest updates and essential advice from The Independent [View in browser]( [Alternate text] Daily briefing November 17, 2020 Today’s essential news from the source you trust This morning’s headlines Matt Hancock has announced that the UK has [secured five million doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine](, hours after it emerged it may offer very high levels of protection against Covid-19. At a Downing Street press conference, Mr Hancock said preliminary results for the vaccine were “excellent news”. Amid “much uncertainty, we can see the candle of hope and we must do all that we can to nurture its flame”, he said. The firm has claimed that so far results suggest its vaccine has a 94.5% effectiveness against the disease. Boris Johnson has caused a backlash by reportedly calling devolution [“a disaster north of the border”]( and “Tony Blair’s worst mistake”. The prime minister made the comments during an online meeting with dozens of Tory backbench MPs on Monday, according to The Sun. Downing Street did not deny the paper’s report but rowed back on Mr Johnson’s words, claiming that he “has always supported devolution” as long as it is not ”used by separatists and nationalists to break up the UK”. In response to the prime minister’s comments, Douglas Ross, who leads the Conservatives in Scotland, said “devolution has not been a disaster”, while SNP politicians condemned the Tories for their attitude towards the country. Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, said: “The Tory mask has well-and-truly slipped after Boris Johnson was caught red-handed claiming that Scottish devolution is a mistake.” Donald Trump reportedly asked his White House advisers last week for [“options” to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities](. The outgoing president made the request in the Oval Office last Thursday but was talked out of it by senior administration officials, according to The New York Times. Mr Trump was reportedly told by vice president Mike Pence, secretary of state Mike Pompeo and others that such action could lead to a wider escalation of conflict in the final weeks of his presidency. . We need your support The Independent employs over 100 journalists around the world to bring you news you can trust. Please consider showing your support with a contribution. [Contribute]( . Top stories [‘Significant’ differences remain as clock ticks down on Brexit talks]( [Most powerful November Atlantic storm in almost 100 years makes landfall]( [Artificially cooling Earth would not be a ‘get-out-of-jail-free card’]( . Uncertain times, unrivalled clarity, unlimited access Enjoy 50% off Independent Premium for 12 months with this limited-time offer [Find out more]( . More news - [Taylor Swift says her album rights have been sold a second time]( - [Biden warns ‘more people will die’ if Trump continues to stall transition]( - [Southgate at centre of row with Piers Morgan over positive coronavirus test]( . News you can trust The Independent has a 100% NewsGuard trust rating [NewsGuard] [Find out more]( . If you can spare two minutes we’d love to hear your [feedback]( on our newsletters [Alternate text] Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's News email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent News email and Breaking News alerts, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.