Meanwhile, at around 9.50pm tomorrow (plus about 10 seconds), one of the greatest Olympic athletics reigns finally ends.
For the first time in 13 years, Usain Bolt will no longer be able to call himself the reigning 100 metres champion.
Read who the contenders are to earn arguably the most coveted Olympic title of all.
At this stage of London 2012, Britain was on the eve of its legendary Super Saturday, but one of the stars of that day, Jessica Ennis-Hill, has revealed she lived in fear of a wardrobe malfunction – and says athletes should be able to wear what they want.
Analysis: Incoherence of UK’s post-vaccination policy
Scientists advising the Government have warned that an increase in foreign travel this summer is concerning. Documents given to ministers earlier this month stated the importance of global surveillance of new variants and warned that September and October will be a “particularly risky point in the trajectory of the epidemic”. That might make it more understandable to have an amber-plus regime in place for those returning from France, designed to ward off the potential arrival of the beta variant. Yet amid the pingdemic and quarantine, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard reckons the incompetent Government is invoking bogus science and analyses how this administration allowed itself to be outflanked by both Labour and the less vaccinated Europe. Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the country will reopen its borders when 80pc of the population is fully vaccinated.
Bring back David Tennant: How to save Doctor Who
Most Doctor Who fans have long had the ability to predict the future – presumably from spending so much of their lives in the space time vortex – so news that Chris Chibnall and Jodie Whittaker will be leaving the show in a trio of specials, culminating in an epic blockbuster in autumn 2022 has been so furiously debated as a rumour that it merited little more than a knowing shrug on most fan forums. Picking up the keys to the Tardis as writer or performer is no mean feat but Stephen Armstrong has suggested 13 ways to save Doctor Who.
Also in the news: Today’s other headlines
Drug deaths soar | Scotland’s status as Europe’s drugs deaths capital was confirmed today after the publication of “shameful” figures described as a “scar on the conscience” of Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP. A record number of annual fatalities were reported for last year, the seventh year in a row in which drugs deaths in Scotland have rapidly increased.
Around the world: Briton killed in ‘suspected piracy’
A British crew member has been killed in a suspected pirate attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman, the ship’s Israeli operator confirmed today. The Mercer Street vessel was passing through the Arabian Sea on Thursday night when it was struck by unknown assailants, killing one British and one Romanian crew member. The attack comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran. Read on for the context.
Friday big-read
Comeback or swan song? Can Johnny Depp bounce back?
