UK News

International UK News

UK foreign minister warns Russia against ‘any action’ against Ukraine ahead of NATO talks

Shruti Sharma Leave a Comment on UK foreign minister warns Russia against ‘any action’ against Ukraine ahead of NATO talks

London [UK] : The United Kingdom will use all economic and diplomatic means at its disposal to prevent the Russian incursion into Ukraine, and such move by Moscow would be strategically wrong, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on Tuesday.“We will support Ukraine and stability in the Western Balkans, to safeguard their security and build their economic resilience … Any action by Russia to undermine the freedom and democracy that our partners enjoy would be a strategic mistake,” Truss said in a statement issued by her office ahead of NATO foreign ministers meeting in Latvia scheduled from Tuesday through Wednesday. In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that London out-shadows Moscow in terms of strategic failures.The event meeting should further unite NATO allies in the face of “continued destabilizing actions by Russia and Belarus,” the statement added.“We do not encroach on strategic…

International UK News

UK’s parliamentary group report pulls apart Islamabad’s complicity, culpability in crimes against minorities

Sachin Sisodia Leave a Comment on UK’s parliamentary group report pulls apart Islamabad’s complicity, culpability in crimes against minorities

London [UK]: The United Kingdom’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Pakistani Minorities has severely criticized the role of Islamabad in a steadily deteriorating human rights situation of minorities in the country. A 67-page report, which called the human rights situation in Pakistan a national and international tragedy, highlighted all forms of atrocities that the minorities of Pakistan were being subjected to on an everyday basis.It said that even after over seventy years of independence, abductions of minority girls, their forced conversions and subsequent marriages was a widespread phenomenon in Pakistan. And calling them a heartrending issue, the report noted that successive governments in Pakistan had failed to take any effective action to prevent this tragic and inhuman practice. Based on the written submissions and the oral evidence presented before an Inquiry conducted by the APPG, it was confirmed that Hindu and Christian communities were…

International UK News

Scotland confirmed 6 cases of Omicron coronavirus variant

Shruti Sharma Leave a Comment on Scotland confirmed 6 cases of Omicron coronavirus variant

London [UK] : Six cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant have been confirmed in Scotland, taking the total for the United Kingdom up to nine with the previous three infections detected in England, the Scottish health authorities reported on Monday.“Six cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant have been identified in Scotland. Four cases are in the Lanarkshire area and two have been identified in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area,” the Scottish semiautonomous government said in a statement, with Scotland’s Health Secretary Humaz Yousaf adding that “all will receive expert help and support and Public Health Scotland will undertake enhanced contact tracing in all cases.” According to Yousaf, this will be a worrying time for the six people now identified as having the new variant. All will receive expert help and support and Public Health Scotland will undertake enhanced contact tracing in all cases.He…

International UK News

Omicron variant might spread among fully vaccinated people, says PM Johnson

Subhro Majumder 1 Comment on Omicron variant might spread among fully vaccinated people, says PM Johnson

London [UK]: As the new COVID-19 variant ‘Omicron’ has caused worry among governments around the world, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday said that there are chances that the new strain could spread among people who are double vaccinated.“I must stress this, as always with a new variant, there are many things that we just can not know at this early stage. But our scientists are learning more hour by hour. And it does appear that Omicron spreads very rapidly and can be spread between people who are double vaccinated,” Johnson said during a press conference. PM’s remarks came after the United Kingdom reported the first two cases of the Omicron variant.UK’s Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced on Saturday that the two cases were discovered on Friday, one in Chelmsford and another in Nottingham. Both cases “are linked,” Javid added, stating that both…

International UK News

UK to increase global military presence under ‘Future Soldier’ plan

Subhro Majumder Leave a Comment on UK to increase global military presence under ‘Future Soldier’ plan

London [UK]: The United Kingdom is determined to step up its military presence in the world, according to a plan, released by the UK defence ministry on Thursday.“More of the Army will be deployed across the globe, more of the time. Greater forward deployment will improve our ability to anticipate crises and be ready to compete beneath the threshold of open conflict. It will prevent conflict by reassuring allies and partners and deterring adversaries,” the “Future Soldier” modernization plan read. The UK defence ministry also announced an additional investment in military equipment, worth 8.6 billion pounds (USD 11.46 billion), during the next decade. This will raise the total investment to 41.3 billion pounds for the same period.UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Future Soldier is reinforced by the ambition outlined in the Defence Command Paper to transform the Army into a more agile, integrated,…

International UK News

Study finds COVID infection risk rises after second vaccine dose

Shruti Sharma Leave a Comment on Study finds COVID infection risk rises after second vaccine dose

London [UK] : A new study has found a gradual increase in the risk of COVID-19 infection from 90 days after receiving a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.Results confirm that protection wanes with time and suggest a third (booster) dose might be warranted. The findings of the study were published in the journal ‘BMJ’.The study was carried out by the Research Institute of Leumit Health Services in Israel. Israel was one of the first countries to roll out a large scale covid-19 vaccination campaign in December 2020, but it has seen a resurgence of infections since June 2021.The findings confirm that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provided excellent protection in the initial weeks after vaccination, but suggest that protection wanes for some individuals with time.Across the world, large scale covid-19 vaccination campaigns are helping to control the spread of the virus, but even in countries…

International UK News

Sikhs for Justice farce ‘Referendum’ on Khalistan exposed

Shruti Sharma Leave a Comment on Sikhs for Justice farce ‘Referendum’ on Khalistan exposed

London [UK] : Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), fake “Referendum” on the creation of Khalistan – for a separate Sikh nation was exposed in a raid by UK police that said that very few people participated.According to certain reliable inputs emerging from the Indian community in the UK, especially the Sikh community-based in London, the UK Metropolitan police carried out a raid on the office of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) located on the First floor of Sadda Superstore, 356 Bath Road, Hounslow, UK on November 15, reported dailysikh. The police took away all electronic devices and documents pertaining to the so-called ‘Referendum’ held by the SFJ recently. While the ‘Referendum’ turned out to be a farce with very few people participating, there was speculation that SFJ members were using various electronic devices to create fake Identity cards and relevant documents pertaining to bogus voters in…

International UK News

UK demands Beijing provides further evidence of tennis player Shuai’s safety

Shruti Sharma Leave a Comment on UK demands Beijing provides further evidence of tennis player Shuai’s safety

Moscow [Russia] : The United Kingdom is concerned for the safety of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, who temporarily disappeared after accusing a senior Chinese politician of sexual assault, and demands that Beijing allow her to speak out without fear of repercussions, the country’s foreign ministry told RIA Novosti.“We are extremely concerned at the apparent disappearance of Peng Shuai, and are following the case closely. The Chinese authorities should urgently provide verifiable evidence of her safety and whereabouts. Everyone should be allowed to speak out without fear of repercussions. All reports of sexual assault, anywhere in the world, should be investigated,” the ministry said. Peng disappeared from public view after publishing on November 2 a statement on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like social media platform, accusing the former Chinese vice-premier, 75-year-old Zhang Gaoli, of sexually assaulting her. The post was immediately deleted, Peng’s accounts were removed…

International UK News

Britain invites ASEAN to G-7 meeting, signifies ‘growing Indo-Pacific tilt’

Shruti Sharma Leave a Comment on Britain invites ASEAN to G-7 meeting, signifies ‘growing Indo-Pacific tilt’

London [UK] : Ministers from the Group of Seven (G-7) industrialised nations are set to participate in a meeting that will take place in Britain’s Liverpool next month.The G-7 meet, under the presidency of Britain, will commence from December 10 and will continue for three days, stated the UK government. Britain will be hosting this year’s G-7 meet and has for the first time invited the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), signifying a “growing Indo-Pacific tilt”, reported Kyodo News, citing UK government sources.Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno addressing a press conference in Tokyo on Monday stated that the invitation to ASEAN nations portrays UK’s “willingness to strengthen its involvement in the Indo-Pacific region.”The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office mentioned that G-7 will look into global issues, including economic resilience in the post-COVID times, global health and human rights, reported Kyodo…

International UK News

UK ‘must try to engage’ with ‘Islamic Emirate’ in Afghanistan

Shruti Sharma Leave a Comment on UK ‘must try to engage’ with ‘Islamic Emirate’ in Afghanistan

London [UK] : Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that Britain must engage with the current Taliban government to tackle the existing crisis in the country.Johnson made the remarks in response to a question UK lawmaker in the parliament, TOLOnews reported. Stating that Afghanistan looks like ‘hell on earth’, Labor Party member Sarah Champion asked Johnson “how and when” will aid that has been pledged by the UK be provided to the people of Afghanistan.Johnson explained that the UK had no other choice but to engage with the current Afghan government to assist the overcoming of crisis in the troubled nation.“There is no point in the UK just standing on the sidelines and failing to engage with the Taliban,” he said.“They may not speak for all Afghans, far from it, but they are some kind of…

International UK News

UK admits it faces “severe” terror threat after two violent incidents

Shruti Sharma Leave a Comment on UK admits it faces “severe” terror threat after two violent incidents

London [UK] : The United Kingdom has raised its level of threat from Islamist terrorism to “severe” after two violent incidents in Liverpool and Essex in the last one month, a Canada-based think tank reported.International Forum For Rights And Security (IFFRAS) citing counter-terror experts reported that more future threats are expected in the United Kingdom, adding that however, no Islamist group has come forward to accept responsibility for the attacks so far. British security minister Damien Hinds suspected the incident could be the result of online radicalisation – the latest aspect of Islamist terror to threaten Europe. Hinds revealed “the security services had disrupted more than 30 late-stage plots in the last few years”, IFFRAS reported.A suicide bomber blew himself up with an explosive device near a maternity hospital in Liverpool on November 15.According to MI5, a British domestic counter-intelligence agency, the Islamist terrorist…

International UK News

UK, Poland sign agreement on plans to cooperate on creating Air Defense System

Shruti Sharma Leave a Comment on UK, Poland sign agreement on plans to cooperate on creating Air Defense System

London [UK] : The United Kingdom and Poland have signed an agreement on the intention to create a new air defense system, the UK Ministry of Defense said.The agreement was reached during the visit of UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace to Poland where he held talks with his Polish counterpart, Mariusz Blaszczak “A first for the UK-Poland relationship, the Statement of Intent will see the two countries share pioneering technology to develop NAREW, Poland’s future Ground-Based Air Defence System, which is anticipated to have a multi-billion-pound budget. The agreement will provide enhanced security and defence development for both countries, while developing and sustaining critical skills across the missile sector in Poland and the UK” the ministry said in a statement on late Thursday.“In the UK, MBDA’s Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) family has been confirmed for the NAREW programme. Flying at supersonic speeds, CAMM…

International TOP NEWS UPDATES UK News

UK extends COVID-19 booster vaccine to people over 40 years old

Rajesh Vatsa 1 Comment on UK extends COVID-19 booster vaccine to people over 40 years old

London [UK]: The UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) on Monday announced that people over 40 years old living in the United Kingdom will now be eligible to receive a booster COVID-19 vaccine six months after having their second dose, as a new study showed that boosters give over 90% protection in adults over 50. “JCVI has previously advised booster vaccination for all adults aged 50 years and over and those in a COVID-19 at-risk group. The offer has now been broadened to include those aged 40 to 49 years,” the committee said in a statement.The booster vaccines to be offered to this new age group are Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, the same mRNA-type vaccine that is being used since September in people over 50 and at higher risk from the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. So far, more than 12,6 million people in the UK…

International UK News

Leaders must deliver on limiting global warming, Climate action can deliver sustainable future for all

Shruti Sharma Leave a Comment on Leaders must deliver on limiting global warming, Climate action can deliver sustainable future for all

Glasgow [UK] : New Climate action can be the driver for a green and equitable future for all, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has said while urging people everywhere to demand that leaders deliver on their promise to limit global warming.Speaking ahead of the Amina Mohammed, which wraps up this weekend in Glasgow, Scotland, Mohammed underlined the need for greater funding and commitment, as well as solidarity. “Climate change doesn’t pause, and neither must we,” she said in her address to the TED Countdown Summit in her recently live-streamed TED Talk held recently in nearby Edinburgh and live-streamed globally.Mohammed, who is from Nigeria, recalled her childhood walks along the shores of Lake Chad, one of the largest lakes in Africa, with some 30 million people in four countries relying on its bounty.Back then, the lake was more like an ocean to her as it…

International UK News

Digitised records uncover forgotten British Indian soldiers who fought in WWI

Shruti Sharma Leave a Comment on Digitised records uncover forgotten British Indian soldiers who fought in WWI

London [UK] : As the UK and the world observes Remembrance Sunday on November 14, some of the names and other details of half a million World War One (WWI) soldiers are finally coming to light, providing new information about the allied war effort and valuable information about British Indian Army troops from undivided Punjab.The records of hundreds of thousands of Indian Army soldiers from Punjab, a region now divided between India and Pakistan, which had lain in a forgotten archive, are being made available to people for the first time, UK Punjab Heritage Association (UKPHA) said in a release. Punjabis of all faiths – Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs – made up around a third of the British Indian Army though they accounted for less than eight per cent of the population of British India at the time.“That equates to one-sixth of all the…

International UK News

UK confirms pledge for zero-emission heavy goods vehicle by 2040

Subhro Majumder Leave a Comment on UK confirms pledge for zero-emission heavy goods vehicle by 2040

New Delhi [India]: All new heavy goods vehicles (HGV) in the UK will be zero-emission by 2040, the UK government has confirmed on November 10, the British High Commission (BHC) said in a statement.This, combined with the UK’s 2030 phase out for petrol and diesel cars and vans, represents a world-leading pledge to end the sale of all polluting road vehicles within the next two decades. The UK will become the first country in the world to commit to phasing out new, non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles weighing 26 tonnes and under by 2035, with all new HGVs sold in the UK to be zero-emission by 2040, BHC said.This comes as new research from Bloomberg New Energy Finance, commissioned by the UK COP Presidency and published today, shows the progress made in the passenger vehicle market, which includes 31 per cent of the global…

International UK News

UK’s Johnson’s rating down to lowest since taking Office

Subhro Majumder Leave a Comment on UK’s Johnson’s rating down to lowest since taking Office

London [UK]: The rating of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reached its lowest point since 2019 when the politician came to power, the UK Evening Standard newspaper reported on Monday, citing the poll by the Ipsos MORI market research company.The poll showed that 55% of adult UK citizens disagree that Johnson possesses the traits that are necessary for a good prime minister, however, 34% have the opposite opinion. The ratio makes a net score of -21, which is the lowest since June 2019, one month before Johnson became the prime minister. Additionally, 62% of Britons said they are dissatisfied with Johnson’s actions, and it is the worst score since October 2020. The rating of Johnson’s party, the Conservatives, has dropped by 4 points to 35% since September, while the Labor Party stayed at the same level with 36%.However, the Evening Standard suggests that the…

Health & Lifestyle International Travel UK News

UK To Recognise Covaxin For Inbound Travel From November 22

Apoorva Singh Leave a Comment on UK To Recognise Covaxin For Inbound Travel From November 22

The UK will recognise India’s Covaxin jab as an approved Covid-19 vaccine for inbound travel from November 22, a move that is expected to benefit thousands of travellers from India. Britain announced on Monday that it is adding Covaxin and China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm Beijing vaccines to its list of approved vaccines following their “emergency-use listing” by the World Health Organization (WHO). Around one billion doses of these three Covid-19 vaccines have been delivered worldwide. The WHO issued an emergency-use listing for Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech, on November 3 and added the jab to a growing portfolio of vaccines validated by the health body for preventing Covid-19. The listing followed an assessment of the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine and allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval for the jab. The UK also began recognising Covishield, the Indian version of…

International TOP NEWS UPDATES UK News

Ski tourism heading downhill due to climate change: Study

Rajesh Vatsa Leave a Comment on Ski tourism heading downhill due to climate change: Study

London [UK]: Staffordshire University graduate Rachael Carver and Professor Fiona Tweed have investigated the impacts of melting snow and ice on the future of tourism. The findings of the study were published in the journal ‘Geography’.The study is based on field research that Rachael undertook in the European Alps for her dissertation and highlights how resorts are introducing a range of measures to prolong the ski season including glacier blankets and artificial snow. BSc (Hons) Geography graduate Rachael explained: “At university, I developed a passion for understanding human interaction with the environment and the importance of climate change.” “I visited the Stubai Glacier in Austria on holiday and was intrigued by the fact that they were trying to conserve the ski industry. It left me asking lots of questions so I decided to go back and learn more,” Rachael added. The site uses protective…

Football International Sports UK News

PL: Dominant City drub United 3-0 to claim derby victory

Rajesh Vatsa Leave a Comment on PL: Dominant City drub United 3-0 to claim derby victory

Manchester [UK]: Manchester City dished out a dominant performance as an Eric Bailly own goal and a Bernardo Silva strike earned the champions their first Manchester derby victory in five Premier League attempts over their local rivals at Old Trafford on Saturday. The champions went ahead on seven minutes when Bailly diverted Joao Cancelo’s cross into his own net. United briefly rallied when Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot was saved by Ederson and Mason Greenwood scuffed the rebound wide.David De Gea made five big saves in the first half to deny Gabriel Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne, Cancelo, twice, and a Victor Lindelof deflection before City beat the Spaniard’s resistance again on the stroke of half-time. Cancelo earned his second assist with a cross which was turned in by Bernardo at the far post behind a hesitant Luke Shaw. The hosts improved in the second half but…

International UK News

UK spy agencies sign deal with Amazon’s cloud computing arm

Sachin Sisodia Leave a Comment on UK spy agencies sign deal with Amazon’s cloud computing arm

London [UK] : UK intelligence and security agencies have sealed a multimillion-dollar deal with Amazon to host classified information on the US internet giant’s on-demand cloud computing service, the Financial Times newspaper reported on Tuesday.According to the media outlet, the contract was signed this year by the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), which is responsible for providing signals intelligence and information assurance to the UK government and armed forces, and sister spy agencies MI5 and MI6 and it is estimated to be worth £500 million to £1billion ($688,5 million to $1.3 billion). The deal is likely to spark a debate over UK sovereignty as the secret data will be hosted by a single US technological company, the Financial Times added, citing unnamed sources familiar with the discussions.When approached for comments by Sputnik, the GCHQ press office said they “wouldn’t comment on claims about our relationships…

International UK News

UK Conservative MP David Amess dies after being stabbed ‘multiple times’

Subhro Majumder Leave a Comment on UK Conservative MP David Amess dies after being stabbed ‘multiple times’

London [UK]: UK Conservative MP Sir David Amess (69) has died after being stabbed multiple times while attending a constituency surgery at a church in Essex on Friday.Essex Police have arrested a 25-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of murder after an incident at 12.05 pm (Local time), Sputnik reported citing Essex Police as saying. “A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was stabbed in Leigh-on-Sea. We were called to an address in Eastwood Road North shortly after 12.05 pm today (Friday 15 October). We attended and found a man injured. He was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene. A 25-year-old man was quickly arrested after officers arrived at the scene on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered. He is currently in custody,” Sputnik said quoting the police.A constituency surgery is a…

International UK News

Political Activism, British MPs operate from behind veil of charity

Shruti Sharma Leave a Comment on Political Activism, British MPs operate from behind veil of charity

London [UK] : According to an expert, some British Parliamentarians are getting paid to frame the Kashmir issue during debates about the region. Italian political advisor Sergio Restelli in his writing for the news website InsideOver, claimed that British MPs get paid for spewing “venom” against New Delhi . They get paid either in terms of votes or sketchy donations or all-expenses-paid trips funded by the Pakistan government. Far from being hauled up for financial gain in exchange for pushing the agenda of their benefactors, Restelli stated that such behaviour is condoned and pushed under the carpet.While naming British MP Debbie Abrahams, who was deported from India in 2011, the Italian political advisor explained that some British MPs deliberately bring up the rights issue of selective areas.“Who can take exception to such high principles that the Hon. Abrahams espoused? The only problem is that…

International TOP NEWS UPDATES UK News

700 passengers from UK arrive at Delhi airport, sent to mandatory 10-days quarantine

Rajesh Vatsa Leave a Comment on 700 passengers from UK arrive at Delhi airport, sent to mandatory 10-days quarantine

New Delhi [India]: Around 700 passengers, who landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Monday from the United Kingdom, were sent to a 10-day mandatory quarantine after getting their RT-PCR test done at the airport in Delhi. Passengers were sent to 10-day mandatory quarantine in view of the Indian Government’s fresh visa conditions under ‘reciprocal measures’ for UK nationals. The new visa conditions have been implemented from Sunday midnight onwards. A senior government official confirmed that a total of three flights from the UK arrived at IGI airport till Monday afternoon that carried around 700 passengers, including UK nationals. As per the new rules, all passengers have to undergo a compulsory RT-PCR test followed by a 10-days quarantine at home or the destination address. “A team of Delhi government is deployed at the airport to carry out the process. They are completing…

Business Economy International National News Politics Travel UK News

India-UK Airfare goes up to Rs 4 lakh, IAS complains to govt.

Rajesh Vatsa Leave a Comment on India-UK Airfare goes up to Rs 4 lakh, IAS complains to govt.

New Delhi [India]: Alarmed at skyrocketing flight fares between India and the UK, a senior IAS officer has formally lodged a complaint with the Civil Aviation Ministry.Sanjeev Gupta, a senior IAS officer of 1985 batch said the inflated fares come at a time when colleges in UK are beginning admissions. Parents and guardians of those who have been admitted to UK educational institutes have also expressed their dismay and frustration at the exorbitant flight fares. “The APIs from Airlines being consumed by Travel Portals have issues in some cases. If economy class is not available, it automatically fetches business fare but shows economy only on travel portal. The basic point still remains Rs 1.2 lakh for one-way direct flight is still too high,” Sanjeev Gupta tweeted. The IAS officer shared multiple screenshots of several airlines which mentioned “price for one way Delhi to London…

International UK News

Climate Change : UK’s COP26 head warns of global ‘catastrophe’ unless measures taken

Rajesh Vatsa Leave a Comment on Climate Change : UK’s COP26 head warns of global ‘catastrophe’ unless measures taken

London [UK]: The UK president of the COP26 Climate Change Conference, Alok Sharma, has warned that the world was on the brink of a “catastrophe” from climate breakdown, calling for urgent actions. The remark, made in an interview with The Observer, came ahead of a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s leading authority on climate science, set to be released on Monday. The paper on how close the world is to a potentially irreversible disaster due to extreme weather will be “the starkest warning yet that human behaviour is alarmingly accelerating global warming,” the official said.“I don’t think we’re out of time but I think we’re getting dangerously close to when we might be out of time. We will see [from the IPCC] a very, very clear warning that unless we act now, we will unfortunately be out of…

International UK News

New variant of covid discovered in United Kingdom, 16 cases identified so far: What we are aware of

Correspondent Leave a Comment on New variant of covid discovered in United Kingdom, 16 cases identified so far: What we are aware of

The variant is new for the United Kingdom, but was first identified in Colombia in January. Public Health England has recently identified a new strain of coronavirus which is now being investigated after 16 confirmed cases have been found in the United Kingdom. This has been designated as a variant under investigation on Wednesday, The Independent has reported. The variant is known as B.1.621. The authorities have clarified that not much has been known about this variant and there is no evidence to suggest that it might make vaccines less effective or lead to more severe illness so that the new strain does not spread fears among people. The B.1.621 variant of SARS-CoV-2 might be a new variant in the United Kingdom, but this is not new in the world, In January, the variant was first identified in Colombia. “Most of the cases have been linked…

International UK News

UNESCO strips English city of Liverpool of its world heritage status

Subhro Majumder Leave a Comment on UNESCO strips English city of Liverpool of its world heritage status

The UN’s cultural agency on Wednesday voted to remove Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City from the world heritage list, nine years after it was moved to the ‘in danger’ list. The committee cited the “irreversible loss of attributes conveying the outstanding universal value of the property” as a reason for the removal of the site from the world heritage list. “Any deletion from the World Heritage List is a loss to the international community and to the internationally shared values and commitments under the World Heritage Convention,” Unesco said in a statement. The six areas in the historic centre and docklands of the maritime mercantile City of Liverpool were included on the World Heritage List in 2004. The areas of the heritage site were the world’s major trading centres in the 18th and 19th centuries, a testimony to the development of maritime mercantile culture. The…

International UK News

UK lifts Covid-19 restrictions amid anxiety over fresh surge

Subhro Majumder Leave a Comment on UK lifts Covid-19 restrictions amid anxiety over fresh surge

The British government on Monday went ahead with the reopening plan and lifted all pandemic restrictions, including mandatory wearing of face masks, even as Covid-19 cases grew exponentially amid concerns of a possible third wave worldwide. From midnight 2300 GMT Sunday (local time), nightclubs, cinemas and other indoor venues in England are allowed to run at full capacity, while legal mandates covering the wearing of masks and working from home have been scrapped. Residents of the UK, who have been fully vaccinated, returning from “amber list” destinations in Europe will no longer have to quarantine. The move to reopen the country aims to revive the economy battered by its deepest recession in 300 years. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defended the decision saying, “If we don’t do it now, then we’ll be opening up in the autumn, the winter months when the virus has…

International UK News

UK’s carrier strike group enters Indian Ocean, to conduct wargame with Indian Navy

Subhro Majumder Leave a Comment on UK’s carrier strike group enters Indian Ocean, to conduct wargame with Indian Navy

The UK’s carrier strike group led by the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has sailed into the Indian Ocean region and will carry out a wargame with the Indian Navy later this month in reflection of growing bilateral military ties. India military officials said a series of complex drills will be carried out as part of the wargame that is expected to take place around July 26. The high commission of the UK in India said the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2021, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, has sailed into the Indian Ocean Region after transiting the Suez Canal. “Following a series of successful engagements and operations in the Mediterranean, it is now sailing east across the Indian Ocean towards India. It will then meet with ships from the Indian Navy to conduct routine maritime exercises,” the high commission said in a statement. It…

International UK News

UK logs over 42,000 new COVID-19 cases, highest number since January

Subhro Majumder Leave a Comment on UK logs over 42,000 new COVID-19 cases, highest number since January

London, July 15: The United Kingdom has registered 42,302 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, hitting a six-month high for daily infections, the department of health said on Wednesday.The death toll has risen by 49. The overall number of COVID-19 cases in the UK has exceeded 5.2 million, including around 129,000 deaths. Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Monday that the country will lift all COVID-19 restrictions on July 19, including the obligatory wearing of face masks. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said on Wednesday that masks in the city’s public transport will still remain compulsory.

International UK News

Boris Johnson: All Covid-19 Restrictions To End In UK On July 19

Apoorva Singh Leave a Comment on Boris Johnson: All Covid-19 Restrictions To End In UK On July 19

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday (local time) confirmed that all virus restrictions in England will end on July 19. Johnson told reporters that the move will eliminate mandates to wear masks in public places, social distancing rules, and work-from-home recommendations reported NHK World. Johnson noted that vaccines help to prevent people with the coronavirus from developing serious symptoms. He insisted that, while hospitalizations and deaths will continue to rise, they will likely be much lower than during the peak of the outbreak last autumn, reported NHK World. He said, “we cannot simply revert instantly from Monday, July 19 to life as it was before COVID.” Meanwhile, officials said the government recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded indoor areas. Some experts warned that eliminating restrictions when the virus is spreading will be risky, reported NHK World. Britain has seen its daily case…

International UK News

PM Boris Johnson Announces Withdrawal Of UK Troops From Afghanistan

Apoorva Singh Leave a Comment on PM Boris Johnson Announces Withdrawal Of UK Troops From Afghanistan

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Thursday the withdrawal of all British troops from Afghanistan, signalling the end of Britain’s military mission in a two-decade-long conflict. “All British troops assigned to NATO’s mission in Afghanistan are now returning home,” Johnson told the House of Commons, the lower house of the British parliament. The Prime Minister would not disclose the exact timetable of the departure for security reasons, but added that most of the 750 remaining British troops had already left, the Xinhua news agency reported. Over the last two decades, 150,000 members of Britain’s armed forces served in Afghanistan, 457 of whom died, according to Johnson. Britain’s move follows the announcement by US President Joe Biden in April that all US troops would leave Afghanistan before September 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that drew the United States into its longest…

International UK News

Uk Reports 32,548 Coronavirus Cases; The Highest Daily Increase Since January

Apoorva Singh Leave a Comment on Uk Reports 32,548 Coronavirus Cases; The Highest Daily Increase Since January

Britain has reported another 32,548 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, the highest daily increase since January, according to official figures released on Wednesday. The total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 4,990,916, the Xinhua news agency reported. The country also recorded another 33 coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain to 128,301. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test. More than 45.5 million people in Britain have received the first jab of Covid-19 vaccine and over 34 million people have received two doses, the official figures showed. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday that most Covid-19 restrictions are set to end on July 19 as part of the final step of England’s roadmap out of the lockdown. This will be confirmed on…

International UK News

UK Government Plans To Decrease The Gaps Between Two Doses Of Covid-19 Vaccinations

Apoorva Singh Leave a Comment on UK Government Plans To Decrease The Gaps Between Two Doses Of Covid-19 Vaccinations

The UK government has ruled out plans to decrease the gaps between two doses of Covid-19 vaccinations, even as infections driven by the Delta variant are surging in the country. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation ruled out the three-week gap and recommended “an interval of 8 to 12 weeks between doses of all the available Covid-19 vaccines”, dashing hopes that the UK might be able to speed up the vaccination program by closing the gaps between doses, the Financial Times reported. The advisory body said this gap would “avoid confusion and simplify booking, and will help to ensure a good balance between achieving rapid and long-lasting protection.” Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the UK is “very likely” to ease lockdown measures on July 19. It was pushed back by four weeks from June 21 amid concern over the spread…

International UK News

UK Reports Highest Daily Rise Of Covid-19 Cases Since Late January

Apoorva Singh Leave a Comment on UK Reports Highest Daily Rise Of Covid-19 Cases Since Late January

Britain has reported another 26,068 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, the highest since January 29, according to official figures released on Wednesday. The total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 4,800,907. It was the third consecutive day that Britain has reported more than 20,000 daily cases. A total of 20,479 coronavirus cases were recorded on Tuesday, Xinhua reported. The country also recorded another 14 coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain to 128,140. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test. Earlier Wednesday, British Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said he expects school “bubbles” to be removed as part of the final step of England’s roadmap for lifting Covid-19 restrictions. Speaking in the House of Commons, the lower house of British Parliament, Williamson said that…

International UK News

Ban On Flights From UK To Hong Kong, travelers in trouble

Apoorva Singh Leave a Comment on Ban On Flights From UK To Hong Kong, travelers in trouble

HONG KONG: For 22-year old Timmin Lam, who is studying in Manchester, the ban on flights from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong this week is the latest in a series of unrelenting measures that have prevented him from travelling home for almost two years. “I feel trapped in the UK. I really wish the pandemic would improve,” he said. Authorities in the global financial hub said on Monday that Hong Kong would ban passenger flights from the United Kingdom starting July 1 to curb the spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19. Britain has been categorized as extremely high-risk and people who have stayed in the country for more than two hours will be unable to board passenger flights for Hong Kong.It is the second time that the Chinese-ruled hub has barred arrivals from Britain; the earlier ban was in force from December 2020 until May. The government said the ban was due to…

International UK News

UK Govt ‘Sorry’ After Top Secret Files Left At Bus Stop

Apoorva Singh Leave a Comment on UK Govt ‘Sorry’ After Top Secret Files Left At Bus Stop

LONDON: Britain’s defense ministry on Monday apologized after top-secret documents assessing the movements of a Royal Navy warship in the Black Sea were found at a bus stop. Junior defense minister Jeremy Quin told parliament the government was “deeply sorry” for the lapse, which he blamed on a senior ministry official. One of the documents, which were found by a member of the public in Kent, southeast England, and handed to the BBC, was marked “Secret: UK Eyes Only”. The BBC reported on Sunday that the cache of papers discussed the possible Russian response to the Royal Navy’s HMS Defender travelling through Ukrainian waters off Crimea. Russia last week said it fired warning shots at the destroyer for violating its territorial waters, straining further diplomatic ties between London and Moscow. But Britain said it was a making “an innocent passage” in accordance with international law.Quin…

International UK News

UK reports highest daily COVID cases since February

Subhro Majumder Leave a Comment on UK reports highest daily COVID cases since February

Britain has reported another 18,270 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, the highest since early February, according to official figures released on Saturday. The total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 4,717,811, the Xinhua news agency reported. The country also recorded another 23 coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the national death toll to 128,089. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test. More than 44 million people in Britain have received the first Covid-19 vaccine jab and more than 32.2 million people have received two doses, the latest figures also showed. The latest data were revealed as adults in England are able to get a Covid-19 vaccine without an appointment at hundreds of walk-in sites across the country this weekend. In the “grab a jab” campaign, those aged 18 and over…

International UK News

Joe Biden urges G7 leaders to call out and compete with China

Subhro Majumder Leave a Comment on Joe Biden urges G7 leaders to call out and compete with China

Relations between the US and Chinahad become strained during the four years of Donald Trump’s presidency and his “America first” foreign policy. Leaders of the world’s largest economies unveiled an infrastructure plan Saturday for the developing world to compete with China’s global initiatives, but they were searching for a consensus on how to forcefully call out Beijing over human rights abuses. Citing China for its forced labour practices is part of President Joe Biden’s campaign to persuade fellow democratic leaders to present a more unified front to compete economically with Beijing. But while they agreed to work toward competing against China, there was less unity on how adversarial a public position the group should take. Canada, the United Kingdom and France largely endorsed Biden’s position, while Germany, Italy and the European Union showed more hesitancy during Saturday’s first session of the Group of Seven…

UK News

Fauci warns of new Covid variant in UK

Subhro Majumder Leave a Comment on Fauci warns of new Covid variant in UK

The variant has become the dominant strain in the UK, accounting for an estimated 60 per cent of new cases, replacing the B.1.1.7 strain. US top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci has warned of the risks of a new Covid-19 variant, first identified in India, which is now spreading widely in the UK. The Delta variant, known by the scientific name B.1.617.2, has spread from where it was first discovered in India to over 60 countries, according to the World Health Organization, Xinhua reported. More than 6 percent of the sequenced Covid-19 infections in the US trace to the highly transmissible Delta variant, Fauci said on Tuesday. The variant has become the dominant strain in the UK, accounting for an estimated 60 per cent of new cases, replacing the B.1.1.7 strain, according to Fauci. He called on more Americans to get vaccinated to keep…

International UK News

UK health service under pressure despite pandemic promises

Subhro Majumder Leave a Comment on UK health service under pressure despite pandemic promises

British authorities said on Friday that they are considering changing vaccination protocols and reintroducing local lockdowns to stem the spread of a coronavirus variant first detected in India, a warning sign for countries that are easing restrictions even though their own vaccination campaigns are incomplete. The numbers of cases involving the variant, known as B.1.617, rose from 520 last week to 1,313 cases this week in Britain, according to official statistics. The extent to which the variant has spread globally is unclear, because most countries lack the genomic surveillance capabilities employed in England. That surveillance capability has allowed health officials in Britain to spot the rise of concerning variants more quickly than other nations, offering an early warning system of sorts as a variant seen in one nation almost invariably pops up in others. Most cases detected in Britain are in northwestern England. The…

© 2021 | INDIA KSHVID NEWS (IKN) NETWORK | All Rights Reserved
© 2021 | India Kshvid News (IKN) Network | All Rights Reserved
error: Content is protected !!