Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

65 million Brits to get NHS text for second jab under last-mile vaccine dash

65 million Brits to get NHS text for second jab under last-mile vaccine dash

NHS is set to invite more than half a million people for their second Covid jab early as part of a last minute vaccine dash ahead of Freedom Day, state media reports, as daily new infections in England crossed 42, 000. 

In the coming few days, more than 65 million people, who have been waiting eight or more weeks for their second dose will receive a text from ‘NHS vaccine’ to get double-jabbed, following No. 10’s stance on slashing the vaccine gap from 12 weeks to eight weeks.


On July 14, the country hit its target of getting two-thirds of all adults fully vaccinated by Freedom Day, five days ahead of schedule.

Data from NHS England shows that as of July 13, 38 million people in England had received their first Covid vaccine and 29 million had received their second dose, leaving 9 million or so in the queue to get fully vaccinated. 

Despite the huge numbers of vaccinated Britons, daily new cases in the country continue to rise. Latest government figures show that the number of coronavirus cases in the UK has risen by 42,302 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest daily figure in six months.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director of Public Health England, has urged that despite the lockdown ending completely on July 19, people should still follow some of the guidelines to protect themselves such as “wearing a mask in enclosed spaces, opening a window if you're meeting in close contact indoors, and getting tested and staying at home if you have symptoms”.

Seeing the continuous rise in cases, England has also revised its Covid travel rules on Wednesday (14), placing greater restrictions on travellers arriving from Spain's Balearic Islands.

The Department of Transport in London said after a "sharp rise in cases", the decision had been taken to move the Balearic Islands as well as the British Virgin Islands to England's "amber" list -- the middle ranking for Covid-19 incidence. 

The Spanish islands, which include Ibiza, Menorca, Majorca and Formentera, were only moved to the UK's green list at the end of June.

"Unfortunately when we put them on the green watch list from then we've seen the rates double, and also the rates of positivity of these tests double, meaning that we're going to have to move quickly," transport secretary Grant Shapps said.

More For You

11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer

Starmer, who has faced negative coverage since taking office in July 2024, defended the appointment process.

Reuters

Starmer: I would not have appointed Mandelson if aware of Epstein ties

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer said on Monday he would not have appointed Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington had he known the extent of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This was Starmer’s first public statement since dismissing Mandelson last week. The prime minister is facing questions over his judgement, including from Labour MPs, after initially standing by Mandelson before removing him from the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump

Trump said the suspect had been arrested earlier for 'terrible crimes,' including child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment, but was released under the Biden administration because Cuba refused to take him back.

Getty Images

Trump says accused in Dallas motel beheading will face first-degree murder charge

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has described Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager killed in Dallas, as a “well-respected person” and said the accused will face a first-degree murder charge.

Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed last week at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant with a criminal history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Mandelson

Starmer talks with Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Starmer under pressure from party MPs after Mandelson dismissal

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is facing questions within the Labour party after the sacking of US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Mandelson was removed last week after Bloomberg published emails showing messages of support he sent following Jeffrey Epstein’s conviction for sex offences. The dismissal comes just ahead of US president Donald Trump’s state visit.

Keep ReadingShow less