PM delays move on social distancing as cases surge

Latest updates and essential advice from The Independent [View in browser]( [Alternate text] Daily briefing May 18, 2021 Today’s essential news from the source you trust This morning’s headlines The number of cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19 has [leapt by 1,000 in just four days](, it was revealed, as the surge forced Boris Johnson to shelve a decision on scrapping social distancing rules. The strain is now “dominant” in the Lancashire hotspots of Bolton and Blackburn, health secretary Matt Hancock said, warning: “Cases there have doubled in the last week and are rising in all age groups.” The increase - from 1,313 to 2,323 confirmed cases since last Thursday, a rise of 77 per cent - came as Labour condemned a “catastrophic misstep” in failing to slam restrictions on travel from India in time last month. Meanwhile, Downing Street dropped a deadline to reveal whether social distancing will end next month - in a clear hint that the planned ending of all remaining Covid rules is in huge jeopardy. A week ago, Boris Johnson said he expected to scrap the “1m-plus rule” on 21 June, promising full details by the end of May, but his spokesman wriggled out of the commitment. Israel has thanked the US for [blocking a United Nations Security Council statement calling for an immediate ceasefire]( in Gaza and stressing the need to protect children and other civilians. On Monday, the Biden administration rejected - for the third time - the draft of a statement that would have called for a de-escalation of violence and expressed concern over the loss of civilian lives and those injured in more than a week of violence. While the US has a long history of stopping criticism of Israel in official UN statements, even regularly using its veto power to do so, there was a hope the US would sign on to a statement that called for both Israel and Hamas to act to prevent further casualties. But for the third time in a week, the US said it would not agree to the wording, a decision that reportedly startled some of its allies. Excavation work is to begin at a cafe in Gloucester after police found “possible evidence” of where [a suspected teenage victim of serial killer Fred West may be buried](. Forensic archaeologists have been undertaking exploratory work at the Clean Plate cafe in Southgate Street in connection with the disappearance of 15-year-old Mary Bastholm who was last seen alive in January 1968. Gloucestershire Police had received possible evidence from a TV production company to suggest the body of the missing teenager could be buried at the location. One of the findings presented to police was a photo taken by the production company of what appeared to be blue material buried in one area of the cellar. Mary was wearing a blue coat when she went missing. Forensic archaeologists have confirmed that there are a number of structural anomalies within the cellar that warrant further exploration and excavation work will now begin. . We need your support The Independent employs over 100 journalists around the world to bring you news you can trust. Please consider showing your support with a contribution. [Contribute]( . Top stories [Keir Starmer tells Labour MPs party must ‘modernise’ to win again]( [Girlguiding charity apologises as audit uncovers racism and Islamophobia]( [Greenland ice sheet melting may soon pass point of no return, study warns]( . . Stories chosen for you - [EU fishing rows ‘threaten finance deal’, Boris Johnson warned – follow live]( - [Indian Covid variant cases leap by 1,000 in just four days as decision on scrapping social distancing shelved]( - [Labour blames government for ‘catastrophic misstep’ of allowing India Covid variant into UK]( - [Keir Starmer tells Labour MPs party has to ‘modernise’ to win again]( - [Labour has been ‘inviting people to vote for a vacuum’, says elections expert John Curtice]( . News you can trust The Independent has a 100% NewsGuard trust rating [NewsGuard] [Find out more]( . If you can spare two minutes we’d love to hear your [feedback]( on our newsletters [Alternate text] Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's News email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent News Daily Briefing email, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.