Case tracker

Covid infections have jumped by almost a third in a week, official data showed as health officials gave the first public backing to an omicron-specific booster vaccine for the autumn. Around 2.3 million people in the UK now have the virus, up by more than half a million – around 32 per cent – from the previous week. European health officials said on Friday that data show omicron-specific jabs “increase and extend” protection. Moderna has said it has hundreds of millions of doses of its omicron-specific bivalent jab in storage ready to be administered. Official NHS guidance sent to GPs earlier this week revealed that the autumn booster jab campaign will begin on Sep 1, but a new omicron vaccine will need approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) before it can be used. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that over-65s, adult care home residents, front line health workers and vulnerable patients should … [Read more...] about Covid cases across UK surge more than 30pc in a week

There are now 1,235 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the UK, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed, as it issued a warning ahead of Pride weekend. The figure has risen by 159 cases since the last set of data , when 1,076 infections were reported up to 26 June. Wendi Shepherd, monkeypox incident director at UKHSA, said: "The Monkeypox outbreak continues to grow. Our investigations and information from confirmed cases continue to show that the overwhelming majority of cases are in gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men. "This weekend, let's enjoy Pride safely - before you go to any events or parties, check yourself for blister-like spots and rashes. Please don't attend if you have monkeypox symptoms or feel unwell. If you have a rash or blisters, stay at home, phone a sexual health clinic, and get tested." She added: "Please be vigilant for any monkeypox symptoms in the coming weeks - especially if you are having sex with someone new. … [Read more...] about Monkeypox cases rise to 1,235 as officials issue warning for Pride weekend

You know that story about the Johnsons wanting to put a treehouse in the garden of No 10? I don't think it was for the kids. It was for Boris . You can imagine him up there, away from his troubles, with a big stack of Beanos and a sign that reads "No girlz allowed"... Partygate is going nowhere; MPs are about to put him on trial; and on Tuesday Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary , faced the constitutional committee (not an easy job when you work for the naughtiest boy in the school). Case, who looks like the head prefect all grown up, initially walked a clever line between disclosure and secrecy, but fell foul of John McDonnell, a man whose interrogation technique couldn't be more terrifying if he wore a balaclava. What do you say to the allegation that Boris tried to get his then-girlfriend a job , asked McDonnell? "No knowledge," replied Case. Have you investigated? "No." Why not? "An investigation... can only be authorised by the Prime Minister." "Is he not keen?" asked … [Read more...] about Like an overgrown head prefect, Simon Case gets a thrashing from the constitutional committee

Simon Case has confirmed he discussed a potential role for Carrie Johnson with Prince William’s charity. In a letter on Thursday night, the Cabinet Secretary said he held “informal” discussions with the Royal Foundation, which manages the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s charitable work, in Autumn 2020. It comes after The Telegraph revealed on Wednesday that Mr Case approached the Foundation to discuss her taking a job as Director of Communications for the Earthshot Prize, which awards £1m for charitable work. “I was happy to have an informal conversation with someone involved with the Earthshot prize about what roles were available, as I would have done for anyone with relevant experience who was keen to get involved with charity work,” he said. Mr Case said he had not “recommended” the role for Mrs Johnson, who at the time was the Prime Minister’s fiancée. This newspaper understands the approach was rebuffed amid concerns it could undermine the political neutrality of the … [Read more...] about Simon Case admits he discussed job for Carrie Johnson with Prince William’s charity

Washington — The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to take up an elections case brought by North Carolina Republicans that could diminish the power of state courts to order changes to rules for federal elections and the redrawing of congressional districts approved by state lawmakers. The dispute involves the "independent state legislature" theory, which was invoked by Chief Justice William Rehnquist's concurring opinion in Bush v. Gore and raised by former President Donald Trump and Republicans during the 2020 presidential election. Under the theory, the Constitution grants state legislatures the sole authority to regulate federal elections in their states, without oversight from state courts. The dispute stems from the redistricting process undertaken by North Carolina's GOP-controlled General Assembly after the 2020 Census. New congressional lines adopted by the state legislature gave Republicans an advantage for 10 of the state's 14 House seats, but the state supreme court … [Read more...] about Supreme Court to hear major case over state legislatures’ power to set federal elections rules

CHILLING new details have surfaced in the case of a teen TikToker who claimed she killed her disabled sister and then allegedly boasted about it in a text to friends. Claire Miller , 14, is charged with murdering her 19-year-old sister, Helen Miller in 2021 by stabbing her in the neck. Miller, who is now 16 years old, reportedly told a police officer she had “Michael Myers’d” her disabled sister in their Pennsylvania home, according to multiple reports Prosecutors in the case against the teen dropped the bombshell revelation earlier this week during a Lancaster County court hearing, according to Crimeonline . In a case to determine whether Miller should be tried as an adult or as a juvenile, prosecutors and attorneys for the defendant delivered closing arguments Wednesday afternoon, following two and a half days of testimony, per WGAL . The outlet reported Assistant District Attorney, Amy Muller, told the judge Miller was "a kid who had it all, but was obsessed … [Read more...] about Chilling new details in case of TikToker, 14, who allegedly killed disabled sister, then boasted in text to friends

Update: On June 30, 2022 Georgia's highest court threw out McIver's murder conviction and ruled he was entitled to a new trial. Read more here . Our earlier story is below. ATLANTA -- A jury has found an Atlanta attorney who fatally shot his wife guilty of charges including felony murder. Jurors returned the verdict Monday afternoon in the case of 75-year-old Claud "Tex" McIver. They found McIver guilty of felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony and influencing witnesses, reports CBS affiliate WGCL . He was found not guilty on another count of malice murder. No one has disputed that he shot 64-year-old Diane McIver in September 2016, but the defense had said the shooting was an accident. The felony murder conviction carries a possible sentence of life in prison, and it's up to the judge whether he will have the possibility of parole. McIver was immediately handcuffed in preparation to be taken to … [Read more...] about Tex McIver case: Atlanta attorney who shot wife in SUV guilty of felony murder

ATLANTA -- An Atlanta attorney who fatally shot his wife coveted her money and killed her intentionally, a prosecutor argued Tuesday. A defense attorney rejected that, saying his client adored his wife and the case against him is an "accident in search of a motive." Everyone agrees that Claud "Tex" McIver, 75, fatally shot Diane McIver in September 2016. But jurors, who heard from dozens of witnesses over roughly four weeks of testimony, must now decide whether he did it on purpose. Prosecutor Clint Rucker said in his closing argument that there was clear, compelling and overwhelming evidence that McIver intentionally killed his wife. He did it because he was financially dependent on her and feared losing that support, Rucker said. "When he killed Diane McIver, it was like hitting the lottery," Rucker said. "If she stopped supporting him in the manner to which he was accustomed, he had a problem." But defense attorney Bruce Harvey called the prosecution's case a "tale of … [Read more...] about Tex McIver case: Prosecutor says lawyer who killed his wife coveted her money

ATLANTA - No one disputes that a well-connected and influential Atlanta attorney fatally shot his wife. The question jurors must consider over the coming weeks is whether he did it on purpose. The six man, six woman jury was selected Monday, reports CBS affiliate WGCL ; and while they have not been sequestered, the judge warned jurors against watching news coverage of the trial. Claud "Tex" McIver, 75, faces charges including murder in the September 2016 death of his wife, 64-year-old Diane McIver. Lawyers for both sides delivered their opening statements Tuesday in a trial that is expected to last through the end of the month. Prosecutor Seleta Griffin told jurors in her opening statement that the McIvers appeared to live a storybook life but, she said, there were problems beneath the surface and Tex McIver intentionally killed his wife. Defense attorney Amanda Clark Palmer countered that the seemingly perfect relationship was genuine and the shooting was a tragic accident. … [Read more...] about Tex McIver case: Murder trial opens for attorney who claims he shot wife by accident

Malta's government announced Thursday a review of its abortion ban, following controversy about a US woman who was refused an abortion, even though the baby had miscarried and threatened her life. Parts of Maltese law "that prevent doctors from providing care when it is needed" would be looked at, said the country's Health Minister Chris Fearne. This is the first comment the Maltese government has made since the international outcry and protests inside the country over the case of Andrea Prudente last week. The 38-year-old from Seattle was refused an abortion at a Malta hospital last week after suffering an incomplete miscarriage on the Mediterranean island. Her fetus had no chance of survival and was at risk of causing Prudente potentially fatal haemorrhaging and infection. However, doctors refused to intervene because of the country's strict abortion law. Malta, a predominantly Catholic country, is the only European Union member state to ban abortion … [Read more...] about Malta to review abortion policy after Prudente case causes outrage