THE DELTA variant is 64 per cent more infectious than the Kent strain and twice as likely to put patients in hospital, Public Health England’s (PHE) latest data says. The revelation comes as experts continue to urge prime minister Boris Johnson to delay the June 21 unlocking, as had been planned.
PHE says that cases of the faster-spreading Delta strain are now doubling every 4.5 days in some parts of the country, and now account for 96 per cent of cases across England, effectively killing off Kent strain and becoming the dominant variant in the country.
Although two vaccine doses are almost as effective against the Delta variant as they are against the Kent variant, one dose is markedly less, offering only 33 per cent protection compared with 50 per cent, says PHE data. So far, most hospital admissions and deaths caused by the Indian variant have been in unvaccinated people.
On Thursday (10), the UK reported more than 7,000 new cases for a second day running. The UK last surpassed that figure in late February.
Association of Directors of Public Health vice-president Jim McManus told Radio 4's Today programme the government had a "fiendishly difficult decision" to make on whether to ease restrictions further, adding that if “we invest that little bit of time to keep us going forwards, it will stop us going backwards".
"If you get enough people infected, you will get a rise in hospitalisations," he said.
Talking about the government's decision on BBC Breakfast, vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi reiterated that the government would "share the data on Monday”, adding “the virus hasn't gone away, it will attempt to mutate.”
“The Delta variant is more infectious and more severe for those it infects. So, we have to be really careful,” he said.
Meanwhile, ministers are considering a delay of a month to give businesses “certainty” and allow more time for people to receive both the doses of vaccinations, The Times claimed in a report, adding that plans are still being discussed.
The latest government figures show that nearly 29 million people in the UK have had both doses of a vaccine accounting for 54.8 per cent of the adult population.
The government is expected to announce on Monday (14) whether it will remove the last of the restrictions a week later. The final stage of lifting restrictions will see all legal limits on social contact removed. Nightclubs will reopen while restrictions on performances, weddings and other life events will also be lifted.
A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.
The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.
Some reports suggest that fireworks could be a possible cause. The Metropolitan Police, however, said its investigation has so far found no evidence that the fire was started deliberately.
“No one was injured in the incident, however the building suffered significant structural damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation – at this stage, the investigation team have found no evidence to suggest that it was started deliberately,” a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.
“We are working closely with Redbridge Council to support the local community. Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke,” the spokesperson added.
The Met Police said neighbourhood officers on patrol discovered the fire and alerted the London Fire Brigade.
“We were called at 2000 (hours) yesterday (Saturday) to reports of a building fire on Cleveland Road in Ilford. Firefighters attended and discovered a single-storey community centre fully alight,” a London Fire Brigade spokesperson said.
“The fire was safely brought under control by crews by 2121 (hours) and there were no reports of any injuries. However, the building has sustained a significant amount of damage as a result of the fire,” the spokesperson said.
The brigade said it received about 14 calls regarding the fire. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Ilford, Barking, Stratford, Leyton, Hainault and Romford fire stations were sent to the scene.
“A 32-metre turntable ladder from Dagenham Fire Station also attended and was used as a water tower to help extinguish the fire from above,” the spokesperson added.
Ilford South MP Jas Athwal expressed his gratitude to the fire crews. “A fire at Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road has been extinguished,” he said in a post on social media.
“Grateful to the brave crews for their swift response and for keeping our community safe. I am in contact with the emergency services and the advice is to avoid the area,” Athwal said.
The leader of Redbridge Council also urged residents to avoid the area while assessments of the fire damage were carried out. “Neighbouring buildings have been evacuated and I’m grateful to the efforts of the emergency services,” he said.
The fire came just a week after another incident in Ilford, when an Indian restaurant was set alight in an arson attack that seriously injured five people.
The Metropolitan Police said a 15-year-old boy and a 54-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life in connection with that case at the Indian Aroma restaurant in the Gants Hill area of Ilford.
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Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.
SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.
THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.
The grouping outlined its position in a declaration at the end of its two-day annual summit in the Chinese port city, attended by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, Chinese president Xi Jinping, Russian president Vladimir Putin and other leaders.
SCO stance on regional security
The declaration highlighted regional security as a priority and described terrorism as a major challenge.
“The member states strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22,” it said.
The SCO also condemned terror strikes in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, including those in Khuzdar and on the Jaffer Express.
“They (member states) expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the dead and the wounded. They further stated that perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice,” the declaration said.
Condemnation of Gaza strikes
The SCO members also criticised the military strikes by Israel in Gaza, noting that they have caused civilian casualties and created a humanitarian crisis in the region.
No place for double standards
Reaffirming its commitment to fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism, the SCO said it opposed attempts to use such groups for “mercenary purposes.”
“The member states strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, stress that double standards in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable, and call on the international community to combat terrorism, including cross-border movement of terrorists,” it said.
The SCO underlined the role of sovereign states and their authorities in countering terrorist and extremist threats. It also said the United Nations has the central role in implementing relevant Security Council resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, in line with the UN Charter and international law, to jointly counter terrorist groups.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Anti-migrant protesters demonstrate outside the Cladhan Hotel on August 30, 2025 in Falkirk, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
BRITISH police said they arrested five people on Saturday (30) after masked men tried to force their way into a hotel used by asylum-seekers, a day after the government won a court ruling on the use of another hotel to house migrants.
Two groups of anti-asylum protesters marched to the Crowne Plaza Hotel near Heathrow Airport before some demonstrators tried to break in, London's Metropolitan Police force said.
Two police officers suffered minor injuries, it said.
"We understand strength of feeling on these issues, but where peaceful protest crosses the line into criminality, including injuries to our officers, we will take immediate action," commander Adam Slonecki said in a statement.
In Scotland, protesters also demonstrated against the use of a hotel in the town of Falkirk, where asylum seekers are believed to be housed.
In a separate incident, three men were arrested late on Friday (29) outside another hotel used to house asylum-seekers in Epping in east London.
"The overwhelming majority of people in Epping tonight clearly wanted their voices to be heard and they did that safely and without the need for a police response," said assistant chief constable Glen Pavelin of Essex police.
"However, the right to protest does not include a right to commit crime and tonight a small number of people were arrested. Two officers sustained injuries which are thankfully not serious," he added.
The local authority in Epping is expected to decide on Monday (1) whether to challenge the appeals court decision in the Supreme Court.
At least 13 other councils are also considering pressing ahead with legal action over the use of asylum hotels in their areas, The Times daily reported.
The protests in Epping have spread to other parts of Britain, amid growing frustration at the continued arrival of small boats packed with migrants across the English Channel from France.
The government of prime minister Keir Starmer on Friday won a court ruling that overturned a previous court decision that asylum-seekers would have to be evicted from the hotel in Epping where a resident was charged with sexual assault.
Earlier, Starmer promised to "smash the gangs" enabling migrants to make the journey.
The prime minister posted on X on Saturday: "I am clear: we will not reward illegal entry. If you cross the Channel unlawfully, you will be detained and sent back."
But critics pointed out that more irregular migrants have arrived since the start of January 2025 than in the same period last year.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch backed Tory-run councils to pursue legal action against migrant hotels.
"Keir Starmer has shown that he puts the rights of illegal immigrants above the rights of British people who just want to feel safe in their towns and communities," Badenoch posted on X.
Concern about immigration has risen to the top of the political agenda in Britain after an increase in migrants using small boats to reach the country.
More than 32,000 migrants were being housed in around 200 hotels across the country at the end of June, according to government figures.
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) has achieved a significant milestone, celebrating the 50th anniversary of its flagship leadership development programme - Sangh Shiksha Varg (SSV), with a record-breaking attendance of 605 participants supported by 139 volunteers, representing its highest attendance to date and demonstrating the enduring appeal of traditional value-based education and leadership training.
Participants travelled from 65 towns across all four home nations of the UK, whilst 167 working professionals willingly sacrificed their annual leave to serve as instructors and support teams to ensure smooth running of the camps and invest in the next generation's development.
A programme built on service and character
The four-year structured SSV programme focuses on developing what Baiju Shah (overall coordinator for one of the locations) describes as “Self-inspired future leaders without ego and a commitment to making society better,"
Through a comprehensive approach combining physical, intellectual, and spiritual development, participants, ranging from teenagers to adults in their fifties, engage in a rigorous daily schedule from 6am to 10pm that includes yoga, team activities, structured lectures, meditation, and community service projects.
Remarkable community engagement
This year's SSV showcased exceptional intergenerational participation, with one family notably having a grandfather, father, and son attending the same camp.
The focus on community outreach was equally impressive, with over 190 representatives from external organisations invited to tour the facilities and experience the SSV learning environment. Visitors included representatives from charities, community groups, religious organisations, Mayors, local councillors, and interfaith communities.
Pauline Jorgenson, councillor for Wokingham Borough Council, praised the organisation's impact: "HSS do a huge amount for education and charity, and the atmosphere for all attendees, young and old, was amazing."
Developing tomorrow's leaders
The SSV curriculum is built around three fundamental principles: Sanskar (cultivating Dharmic values and character), Sewa (selfless service to community), and Sanghathan (unity and organisation). Participants engage in activities designed to develop practical leadership skills alongside traditional Hindu values.
For university student Eeshaan, a former graduate of SSV, the experience offered unexpected insights: "We've spoken about how SSV is an environment orchestrated for participants to immerse in Sangh. But this year, I learnt that it's also an environment built to help teachers develop into better leaders."
The programme culminates in a presentation day where family members witness demonstrations of the skills and knowledge participants have developed throughout their week-long intensive training.
Five decades of impact
Since 1975, SSV has produced graduates who continue to serve their communities whilst taking their developed skills into professional careers, government, and entrepreneurship. The programme's emphasis on developing "responsible citizens" without ego continues to resonate with new generations.
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) is a socio-cultural organisation dedicated to preserving Hindu values and traditions within British society whilst contributing to the broader community.
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed his support for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine during a telephone conversation with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Modi's office said.
Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address on Saturday (30), said Modi supported Ukraine's call for a ceasefire in the war with Russia and hoped that notion would be heard at the forthcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China.
Modi's office, in a statement, said Zelenskiy shared the Indian prime minister's perspective on recent developments related to Ukraine, while Modi stressed India's support for efforts aimed at the earliest restoration of peace.
"The leaders also reviewed progress in the India-Ukraine bilateral partnership and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in all areas of mutual interest," it said.
"I have just spoken with Indian prime minister Modi about precisely what is going on. Russia is continuing the war, continuing to kill," Zelenskiy said.
"It is important that the prime minister of India supports the idea that a ceasefire is needed and would be a clear signal that Russia is ready for diplomacy. We are counting on this being heard at the meeting in China."
The statement from Modi's office made no mention of a call for a ceasefire.
Ukraine, backed by European countries, has long called for a ceasefire in hostilities as an important initial step to resolving the conflict.
US president Donald Trump initially urged Russia to agree to a ceasefire, but since his talks this month with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska has said that a ceasefire is not a vital element in moving towards a solution.
Speaking earlier on Saturday after overnight attacks on southeastern Ukraine, Zelenskiy said Moscow had used preparation time for a meeting of leaders of both countries to launch new attacks on his country.
On Friday (29), Zelenskiy brought up Trump's deadline for deciding on new measures against Russia if Putin fails to commit to a one-on-one meeting with the Ukrainian leader.