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Oxford: Fight to create Ebola vaccine as cases reach 1,000

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The vaccine group, at the University of Oxford, is targeting the Bundibugyo Ebolavirus, which is rapidly spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

The rare species of Ebola that is spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known as Bundibugyo, has no proven vaccine and kills 30 to 50 per cent of those infected.

READ MORE: Oxford University building to have makeover to restore ‘original splendour’

A health worker gets ready to start their shift at the Ebola treatment center in Rwampara, Congo, Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)A health worker gets ready to start their shift at the Ebola treatment center in Rwampara, Congo, Friday, May 29 (Image: AP)

Bundibugyo has only caused two previous outbreaks, in Uganda in 2007 and then in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2012.

The Oxford Vaccine Group (OVG) is using the same technology that underpinned the Covid jab to develop a new vaccine for the specific strain of Ebola virus in the current outbreak.

Professor Teresa Lambe OBE, Calleva head of vaccine immunology at the Oxford Vaccine Group and Pandemic Sciences Institute, said: “We are hopeful that through a coordinated global effort, we will be able to curb this outbreak and stop this virus in its tracks.”

READ MORE: Popular burger van told ‘improvement necessary’ by food hygiene inspectors

Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, center right, visits the Evangelical Medical Center (CEM) in Bunia, Congo, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, center right, visits the Evangelical Medical Center (CEM) in Bunia, Congo, Sunday, May 31 (Image: AP)

The outbreak – declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) by the World Health Organisation and Africa CDC, respectively – has already caused more than 900 suspected cases and more than 220 suspected deaths.

Five patients have recovered from the virus, the head of the World Health Organisation said on Sunday during a visit to a city at the heart of an outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Britain will provide up to £20 million to contain the outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.





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Major Hollywood detective series set in Oxford continues filming

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Young Sherlock, a British mystery television series, will see Hero Fiennes Tiffin return as the titular character.

A Georgian Square in Bristol is being transformed back to the Victorian era ‘Oxford’ ahead of the filming of the second series.

Portland Square in Bristol has been transformed for the filming for season 2 of Amazon's Young Sherlock. The series stars Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Sherlock and Donal Finn as James Moriaty. Bristol. 6 August 2026.Portland Square in Bristol has been transformed for the filming for season 2 of Amazon’s Young Sherlock. (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

The series, first aired in March this year, is inspired by Andrew Lane’s Young Sherlock Holmes book series.

It was created by Matthew Parkhill and developed by Peter Harness and Guy Ritchie, who also directed two episodes.

Other main cast members returning include Dónal Finn (James Moriarty), Natascha McElhone, Max Irons, and Holly Cattle, who play Sherlock’s family members.

The series synopsis reveals: “As a 19-year-old at Oxford University, Sherlock Holmes is not yet the master detective he grows up to be.

READ MORE: £3million innovative farm which ‘suprised’ Jeremy Clarkson closes

Max Irons (left) who plays Mycroft Holmes on set in Bristol. Portland Square in Bristol has been transformed for the filming for season 2 of Amazon's Young Sherlock. The series stars Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Sherlock and Donal Finn as James Moriaty. Bristol. 6 August 2026.Max Irons (left) who plays Mycroft Holmes on set in Bristol. Portland Square in Bristol has been transformed for the filming for season 2 of Amazon’s Young Sherlock. (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

“He is raw and unfiltered, and he lacks discipline.

“A murder at Oxford puts Holmes’s freedom at risk, and he sets out to solve his first murder mystery that leads him to a global-level conspiracy.”

Young Sherlock received praise upon its release, and its 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes reflects that.

Portland Square in Bristol has been transformed for the filming for season 2 of Amazon's Young Sherlock. The series stars Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Sherlock and Donal Finn as James Moriaty. Bristol. 6 August 2026.Portland Square in Bristol has been transformed for the filming for season 2 of Amazon’s Young Sherlock. (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

The critics’ consensus on the reviewing platform reads: “Young Sherlock doesn’t aim to recreate Conan Doyle’s work; rather, it takes pride in its liberal adaptation, delivering Guy Ritchie’s signature blend of precise entertainment, sly style, and ingratiating characters.”

One critic said: “Prime Video’s Young Sherlock is sensational.

“The series, which was adapted by Matthew Parkhill, remixes the beloved figure to deliver all the traits fans know and love — with more than one twist.”

Young Sherlock is available to stream now on Amazon Prime.





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Police taskforce ‘first on scene’ of crash which closed M40

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Traffic was halted on the major trunk motorway at about midday on Friday, August 7, because of a serious collision.

Cars were stopped and diverted before junction 10 with Ardley heading northbound on the motorway, before junction 11 with Banbury, and drivers travelling southbound were also stopped to allow an air ambulance to land.

Thames Valley Air Ambulance stock picture, free to reuse.An air ambulance attended the scene of the crash (stock image) (Image: Thames Valley Air Ambulance)

READ MORE: M40 closed with two hour delays due to ‘serious’ crash

Cars experienced delays in excess of two hours on the northbound approach, with six miles of congestion reported, as well as significant delays on the A34 towards the Wendlebury Interchange and junction with the M40.

Thames Valley Police has been approached for more information on what happened but has not provided a response.

The motorway had reopened by about 3pm but residual delays remained for much of the afternoon.

M40Traffic being diverted off the M40 as the motorway was closed due to the crash (Image: National Highways)

Thames Valley Police’s rural crime taskforce, which frequently patrols the countryside across the north of Oxfordshire, have now revealed its officers were the first on the scene.

A spokesperson said they provided ‘an immediate response and support to those invovled’ and it is understood other emergency responders subsequently attended the scene.

READ MORE: Mum jailed after teen girl beat up man, 50, hours before his death

The officers also dealt with a stolen car in Kidlington and seized a van with no insurance whose driver had no licence.

In Chieveley, the taskforce arrested a driver on suspicion of possession of class A and class B drugs and driving whilst unfit through drugs, without a licence and without insurance.

It was described as a ‘proactive day highlighting the wide range of incidents Rural Crime Taskforce officers respond to across the force area’ by the team.





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Heartfelt plea after fires left smouldering in green space

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Environmental charity Earth Trust shared a video of the remnants of a barbecue still smouldering and surrounded by litter and burnt wood at historic chalk beech mounds the Wittenham Clumps in South Oxfordshire.

The fire, discovered on Friday, August 8, came just a day after the charity warned people about the dangers of barbecues at the green space during the extreme drought the county is facing, as ‘a single spark could develop into a wildfire’.

READ MORE: Mum jailed after teen girl beat up man, 50, hours before his death

A spokesperson for Earth Trust said: “The reality is that one small fire could easily burn through the whole of the Clumps and Bessie’s Field grasslands.

A fire lit deliberately in Bagley Wood, Oxford, 2022FILE PHOTO – fires lit in woodlands can easily turn to wildfires in dry conditions (Image: Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service)

“It could spread into the hedgerows, damage the woodlands, and cause real, lasting harm to the archaeology of Castle Hill.

“A disposable BBQ might look harmless. A few glowing embers might seem like nothing. But in dry grassland, that is all it takes.

READ MORE: Police taskforce ‘first on scene’ of crash which closed M40

“Please do not bring BBQs or light fires at the Clumps or any of our nature reserves. Take your litter home. Leave no trace.

“If you see vegetation on fire, no matter how small, call 999 immediately and ask for the fire service. Do not put yourself at risk.”

People are asked to bring picnics instead, take all litter home, leave no trace on the landscape and report any signs of fire immediately to protect the iconic landscape.





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