Plus, Taylor Swift's big night out in Belfast
| Booster jabs announcement expected |
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| | | The NHS has been preparing for a coronavirus vaccine booster programme since July and details of the plan should become clear later. Ministers are expected to announce an additional single dose of the Pfizer vaccine for over-50s, at least six months after their second jab. The government had been waiting for recommendations from its independent vaccine panel, the JCVI, and the programme is expected to be similar to proposals it drew up in June, with the over-70s and those most at risk prioritised. It comes as the government prepares to set out its plan for managing Covid through the autumn and winter. The plan, applying to England, is expected to focus on contingency measures to be brought in should the NHS become at risk of being overwhelmed. Our health correspondent Nick Triggle says big surges in infection levels are probably behind us, given the level of immunity built up in the population, but that current levels sustained through the winter could cause problems. "That will certainly be the case if other respiratory illnesses bounce back like experts fear," he adds. | |
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| Jab rollout for 12 to 15-year-olds |
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| All children aged 12 to 15 in England will from next week receive invitations to get a coronavirus vaccine via their school, the government says. Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi says eligible pupils will be offered one Pfizer-BioNTech Covid jab. The UK's four chief medical officers recommended the single dose, saying that - while the age group is deemed at very low risk from the disease - factors such as disruption to education tipped the balance. Parents will be asked to give consent for the jab. But if a child and parent are of opposing views and the youngster is considered competent to decide, the child will have the final say. A rollout is yet to be confirmed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Here's what countries around the world are doing. | |
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| Bake Off contestants revealed |
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| Where would you find a detective with a penchant for Greek-Cypriot delicacies, a chief engineer with a precision to his pastry and a sales manager who spent lockdown working on "complex bakes and chocolate work"? In the Great British Bake Off tent, of course. Channel 4 has revealed the dozen bakers competing for the title in the 12th series of the much-loved show. Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith return, with Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding back for hosting duties. Hollywood says the series - once again filmed in a "bubble" because of the Covid pandemic - produced a standard of baking that was "certainly the highest I've ever encountered". It airs from 21 September. Meet the contestants. | |
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| | | | | "Together we choose!" declare the election posters around Moscow. The slogan is punchy. But it's misleading. Critics say that, in today's Russia, it is the authorities who choose - who's on the ballot, and who's not. "Our elections are like a puppet theatre," believes sociologist Vladislav Inozemtsev. "Many independent candidates have not been allowed to run." The list of politicians and activists excluded from these parliamentary and local elections reads like a Who's Who of the Russian opposition. "Alexei Navalny is in prison and all his team are off the ballot; [opposition politicians] Ilya Yashin and Lev Schlossberg are barred, too," explains former MP Dmitry Gudkov. | |
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| | | | Many front pages focus on the expansion of the vaccine rollout, with the Guardian saying Boris Johnson will confirm the start of booster jabs for over-50s later. The Sun calls it a "jabs blitz" but says the additional approval of single-dose vaccination for 12 to 15-year-olds has triggered a "row over consent". Noting Mr Johnson intends to warn the pandemic is "far from over", and set out measures involving face coverings and working from home in the event the NHS comes under pressure this winter, the Daily Mail calls it "return of the doom squad". However, the Daily Express says the prime minister is "confident" his plan will prevent another lockdown. | |
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| | | Duke Accuser's case is baseless, says Prince Andrew's lawyer |
| | | | PM Boris Johnson's mother dies aged 79 |
| | | | Climate Anxiety high among young people - poll |
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| If you watch one thing today |
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| If you listen to one thing today |
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| If you read one thing today |
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| Need something different? |
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| If you - or perhaps a young relative - are off to university soon, then there might be some agonising over what to pack. So we've asked those in the know for tips. Find out why a door stop might prove more useful during freshers week than that funky kitchen gadget your mum got you. And it's a bit more lavish than your average freshers ball, but there were equally high spirits at the Met Gala, which returned to New York's fashion calendar after a pandemic-enforced delay. Outlandish outfits included rapper A$AP Rocky's multicoloured quilt, musician Grimes accessorising with a sword, and singer Frank Ocean - for reasons unknown - carrying in a green robotic baby. Rapper Lil Nas X stole the show, shedding two layers - an enormous golden robe and Versace suit of armour - to reveal a sequined bodysuit. See the pictures. | |
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| | | 1951 Prime Minister Clement Attlee opens the largest oil refinery in Europe, at Fawley on Southampton Water. |
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