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A new sub-lineage of the Omicron COVID variant now makes up one in seven cases in the UK.

EG.5 and EG.5.1 are descendants of Omicron, which was first detected in South Africa in late-2021 before becoming widespread in the UK.

This week the World Health Organisation (WHO) designated EG.5 as a ‘variant of interest’ after it was reported in 51 countries.

Here Sky News looks at it in more detail.

When was it discovered?

EG.5 was first detected on 17 February but was given ‘variant under monitoring’ status by WHO on 19 July following a spike in cases, particularly in Asia. As of 7 August it was a ‘variant of interest’.

Most reported cases are still in China (30.6%), followed by the US (18.4%), South Korea (14.1%) and Japan (11.1%).

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According to the latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data, it is now the second most prevalent variant making up 11.8% of UK cases as of 27 July. As of 4 August, it represented one in seven UK infections.

The majority of cases are still the Arcturus strain, another Omicron sub-variant that emerged earlier in the year.

On a global scale, WHO claims EG.5 makes up 17.4% of infections as of 23 July, which it says is a “notable rise” on the last time it collected data on 25 June.

What are the symptoms?

According to the ZOE health app, the symptoms of EG.5 and EG.5.1, are similar to other Omicron sub-variants.

These include:

  • Runny or blocked nose
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Sore throat
  • Sneezing

How worried should we be?

WHO has said that on the evidence available the “public health risk posed by EG.5 is low at global level” and similar to the other Omicron sub-variants we’ve seen in the past two years.

They haven’t found an increase in disease severity compared to ones we’ve seen previously either.

But it does have a growth advantage and immune escape properties, which means it can evade natural or vaccine-based immunity.

It predicts that: “Due to its growth advantage and immune escape properties, EG.5 may cause a rise in case incidence and become dominant in some countries or even globally.”

There have been increases in COVID hospitalisations in some Asian countries where EG.5 is circulating but there is no evidence of a link between the sub-variant and any spike in hospital admissions.

Professor Francois Balloux, an expert in computational systems biology and director of the UCL Genetics Institute, said it still “only plays a minor role in the current increase in cases”.

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He says this is “driven primarily by the weather”, which has prevented people from spending more time outdoors in recent weeks, and “constantly waning immunity” from booster jab campaigns.

“There is nothing that feels particularly concerning about EG.5.1, relative to the many other Omicron sub-variants in circulation,” he said.

Biologist Professor T. Ryan Gregory who coined the nickname “Eris” for EG 5.1 on social media, adds that it “isn’t super notable in terms of specific mutations” and “is not even the fastest XXB (Omicron) variant”.

He added it is “one to watch even if it’s not expect to cause a large wave”.

But virologist Professor Stephen Griffin wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “not being more severe than existing strains is not the same as not being severe”.

He warned that “individual risks scales by prevalence” and stressed the continuing risks of Long COVID and lack of immunity in the super clinically vulnerable.

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Why UK COVID rates are rising again

What about COVID more generally?

Generally COVID cases are on the rise. Although universal testing and routine reporting of cases has ended in the UK, hospital admissions remain an indication of prevalence.

Currently the COVID hospitalisation rate is 1.97 per 100,000 people – compared to 1.17 a week earlier.

People aged 85 and over represent the biggest age group in hospital as they have throughout the pandemic.

According to UKHSA “overall levels of admission remain extremely low and we are not currently seeing a similar increase in ICU admission”.

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Ex-French president Nicolas Sarkozy enters prison for five-year sentence

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Ex-French president Nicolas Sarkozy enters prison for five-year sentence

Nicolas Sarkozy declared his innocence and held hands with his wife before entering prison to begin his five-year sentence.

The 70-year-old was pictured with his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy on Tuesday morning ahead of travelling to Paris’ La Sante prison.

He was found guilty last month of criminal conspiracy over the alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential election campaign with funds from Libya.

Nicolas Sarkozy leaves his house with his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. Pic: Reuters
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Nicolas Sarkozy leaves his house with his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. Pic: Reuters

Hundreds of supporters chanted “Nicolas, Nicolas” and sang the French national anthem as he left his home this morning and stepped into the car that would take him to jail.

It caps a stunning downfall of the man who led France between 2007 and 2012.

Sarkozy’s sons and daughter, Jean, Pierre, Louis and Giulia, and his grandchildren showed up at the gathering.

As he prepared to begin his prison term, he posted a message on social media repeating his claims that he is an “innocent man” and said he feels a “deep sorrow for France”.

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He will be the first former French leader to be jailed since Nazi collaborator Marshal Philippe Petain after the Second World War.

In his statement, Sarkozy said: “As I prepare to cross the walls of La Sante prison, my thoughts go out to the French people of all walks of life and opinions,” he said.

“I want to tell them with my unwavering strength that it is not a former President of the Republic who is being locked up this morning, it is an innocent person.”

He added: “I feel deep sorrow for France, which finds itself humiliated by the expression of a vengeance that has taken hatred to an unprecedented level. I have no doubt. The truth will triumph. But the price to pay will have been crushing.”

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy kisses his wife Carla Brun-Sarkozy. Pic: Reuters
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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy kisses his wife Carla Brun-Sarkozy. Pic: Reuters

Parisian resident Michelle Perie, 67, said she came out to support “because there is anger, injustice”.

“He’s not like any other defendants, he’s someone who holds state secrets, he’s someone who has always done his job with his head held high. We don’t understand,” she said.

Sarkozy’s lawyers said he will be held in solitary confinement, where he will be kept away from all other prisoners for security reasons.

The former president told French newspaper Le Figaro he would take three books with him, including Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, in which the hero escapes from an island prison before seeking revenge.

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Gunman who shot Slovak PM sentenced to 21 years in jail

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Gunman who shot Slovak PM sentenced to 21 years in jail

A man who shot and badly wounded Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been given a 21-year jail sentence after being found guilty of terrorism charges.

Juraj Cintula, 72, opened fire on Mr Fico in May 2024, hitting him five times from little more than a one-metre distance as the prime minister greeted supporters in the central Slovak town of Handlová.

Cintula, who was acting alone, said he had not intended to kill Mr Fico and claimed his motive was that he disagreed with government policies.

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Robert Fico

The Slovakian leader, 64, was seriously injured in the attack. He was struck in the abdomen and also sustained wounds to his hip, hand and foot. He was rushed to hospital and immediately underwent five-hour long surgery.

Mr Fico has since recovered and made his first public appearance a few months after the attack.

The shooting and subsequent trial have shaken this small, European Union and NATO-member country, where populist Mr Fico has long been a divisive figure. He’s often been criticised for straying from Slovakia’s pro-Western path and aligning it closer to Russia.

Protesters at a march called "Slovakia is Europe" in Bratislava, May 9, 2025. Pic: Martin Baumann/TASR via AP
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Protesters at a march called “Slovakia is Europe” in Bratislava, May 9, 2025. Pic: Martin Baumann/TASR via AP

Cintula was arrested immediately after the attack. When questioned by investigators, he rejected the accusation of being a “terrorist”.

In testimony read out at his trial, Cintula stated: “I decided to harm the health of the prime minister but I had no intention to kill anyone.”

He added that he was relieved when he learned the prime minister survived.

Protesters against new consolidation of Slovak government in Bratislava, Sept. 11, 2025. Pic: Martin Baumann/TASR via AP
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Protesters against new consolidation of Slovak government in Bratislava, Sept. 11, 2025. Pic: Martin Baumann/TASR via AP

“The defendant did not attack a citizen, but specifically the prime minister,” Igor Králik, the head of the three-judge panel, said in delivering the verdict.

“He was against the government, he was inciting people to overthrow the government.”

Cintula can still appeal the verdict, but it was not immediately clear if he would do so.

In the aftermath of the attack, Mr Fico said he “had no reason to believe” the attack was the work of just one person and repeatedly blamed the liberal opposition and media for the assassination attempt. There is no evidence for that.

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The Slovak leader had previously said he “had no reason to believe” it was an attack by a lone deranged person.

He repeatedly blamed the liberal opposition and media for the assassination attempt, although no evidence was provided for these claims.

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Populist Mr Fico returned to power for the fourth time after his leftist Smer, or Direction, party won the 2023 parliamentary election after campaigning on a pro-Russia and anti-American message.

Thousands have repeatedly rallied in Bratislava and across Slovakia to protest Fico’s pro-Russian stance and other policies.

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Japan’s parliament votes in country’s first ever female PM

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Japan's parliament votes in country's first ever female PM

Japan’s parliament has voted in the country’s first ever female prime minister.

Sanae Takaichi won 237 votes in the 465-seat lower chamber of parliament, and is also set to secure a majority in the less powerful upper house before being sworn in later today.

Tuesday’s votes came after her Liberal Democratic Party agreed to a coalition with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party yesterday.

The last-minute deal came after the Liberal Democrats lost its longterm partner, the Buddhist-backed Komeito, which has a more centrist stance.

Incumbent prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, of Ms Takaichi’s party, announced his resignation last month.

The new prime minister stands and bows after the vote. Pic: AP
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The new prime minister stands and bows after the vote. Pic: AP

While Ms Takaichi’s election marks the shattering of a glass ceiling for Japan, it also marks a sharp tack to the right.

She is a staunchly conservative figure who cites Margaret Thatcher as an inspiration, and comes to power at a time when the country is increasingly worried about the cost of living and immigration.

Japan is currently grappling with rising prices that have sparked public anger, fuelling support for oppositions groups including the far-right Sanseito party.

Japanese lawmakers electing the new PM at the Lower House of Parliament in Tokyo. Pic: Reuters
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Japanese lawmakers electing the new PM at the Lower House of Parliament in Tokyo. Pic: Reuters

Ms Takaichi’s untested alliance is still short of a majority in both houses of parliament and she will need to win over other opposition groups to pass any legislation – which could make her government unstable.

She said at Monday’s signing ceremony: “Political stability is essential right now. Without stability, we cannot push measures for a strong economy or diplomacy.”

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While she is Japan’s first female PM, Ms Takaichi has previously shown she is in no rush to promote gender equality or diversity.

She is among the Japanese politicians who have stonewalled measures for women’s advancements and she supports the imperial family’s male-only succession, while opposing same-sex marriage and allowing separate surnames for married couples.

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