It's time to choose life and get boosted today - EXPRESS COMMENT
IN A chilling phrase, the Prime Minister warned a "tidal wave of Omicron" is heading our way and left us in no doubt we are reaching a pivotal moment in the battle against coronavirus indeed a pivotal moment in the history of our country.
Scientists are warning that this new variant could lead to between 25,000 and 75,000 deaths. Until now, there had been comfort in knowing that no one had been hospitalised after contracting the Omicron strain ‑ but not any more.
Yet there is still one hope, the one we have clung to from the start of the pandemic: our ability to vaccinate as many people as possible in the shortest possible time.
That now depends on accelerating the booster programme, which in turn means persuading all those who are eligible to come forward and roll up their sleeves.
As Boris Johnson stressed, two doses are not enough to protect us from the spread of Omicron. That third jab is needed.
To put it bluntly, it is a matter of life or death. We urge all our readers to choose life and echo the Prime Minister's rallying cry: Get boosted now!
Stand firm against Putin
Tensions are running high in the Balkans as President Putin continues his bully boy tactics near the Ukrainian border. It's as if this de facto tyrant is spoiling for a fight.
Some experts think a Russian invasion of Ukraine is likely as early as next month.
Writing exclusively in the Express, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss says she is prepared to take a hard line against Russia ‑ and rightly so.
The Kremlin needs to be left in no doubt that economic sanctions will be imposed on the country if any such invasion takes place.
What we also know is that instability in the region is exactly what Putin wants. Sowing the seeds of disharmony is one of his great weapons.
Consequently, today's meeting hosted by Ms Truss and involving Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia is crucial.
Britain must play its part in making sure the world does not stand back and allow Putin to increase his already dangerous sphere of influence.
Thrills to the finish in F1 showdown
Oh what a race! What drama! Even though many of us might not have understood the ins and outs of yesterday's Formula 1 showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, it was gripping stuff.
There was even debate afterwards about who actually won the race. What's clear is that we are witnessing one of the great sporting rivalries of our times ‑ and long may that last.
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