Scotland Yard officers have arrested a man in his 40s walking with an axe near Buckingham Palace here.&nbsp;

The Metropolitan Police said the man was spotted on The Mall, a busy road that leads up to the palace from Trafalgar Square, on Tuesday evening and confronted by the officers on patrol.&nbsp;

The suspect reportedly fell to his knees on being challenged and was subsequently arrested.&nbsp;

"Armed officers were on duty nearby. They attended the scene where the male, believed to be in his 40s, was detained and arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon," the Met Police said in a statement.&nbsp;

"There are no reports of any injuries. The man was taken to Charing Cross Police Station for questioning," the statement said.&nbsp;

Images of the incident on social media appeared to show up to six officers surrounding the suspect near the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) building and close to the rear entrance to Downing Street.&nbsp;

The Mall was temporarily closed while officers arrested the man and removed the axe.&nbsp;

The Met Police said its inquiries are continuing and that the incident was not being treated as terror-related at this time.&nbsp;

Anyone with information related to the incident is being asked to contact police via telephone or through social media. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Scotland Yard officers have arrested a man in his 40s walking with an axe near Buckingham Palace here. The Metropolitan Police said the man was spotted on The Mall, a busy road that leads up to the palace from Trafalgar Square, on Tuesday evening and confronted by the officers on patrol.

Scotland Yard officers have arrested a man in his 40s walking with an axe near Buckingham Palace here. The Metropolitan Police said the man was spotted on The Mall, a busy road that leads up to the palace from Trafalgar Square, on Tuesday evening and confronted by the officers on patrol. The suspect reportedly fell to his knees on being challenged and was subsequently arrested. "Armed officers were on duty nearby. They attended the scene where the male, believed to be in his 40s, was detained and arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon," the Met Police said in a statement. "There are no reports of any injuries. The man was taken to Charing Cross Police Station for questioning," the statement said. Images of the incident on social media appeared to show up to six officers surrounding the suspect near the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) building and close to the rear entrance to Downing Street. The Mall was temporarily closed while officers arrested the man and removed the axe. The Met Police said its inquiries are continuing and that the incident was not being treated as terror-related at this time. Anyone with information related to the incident is being asked to contact police via telephone or through social media.

Man with axe arrested near Buckingham Palace in London 

Nepal on Wednesday celebrated New Year 2078 as per the ancient Bikram Sambat Hindu calendar amidst a spike in new Covid-19 cases.&nbsp;

The calendar associated with King Bikramaditya of India is regarded as the official calendar of Nepal and the Nepalese New Year usually starts in mid-April.&nbsp;

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, in a televised address to the nation, congratulated the people and counted his government's achievements and performances.&nbsp;

He praised the government's policies in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, saying that the country suffered fewer losses in terms of lives and economy.&nbsp;

"Keeping the pandemic in mind, the government worked to control the spread of the virus and because of our good policies, we didn't fail," Oli claimed.&nbsp;

His address came amidst fear of a second wave of the virus transmission.&nbsp;

Doctors and public health experts are concerned with the rising number of children testing positive for the Covid-19.&nbsp;

Nepal has so far reported 3,061 deaths due to the contagion. After a decline in the number of new patients, the Covid-19 cases have surged lately.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Population reported 580 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the country's tally to 281,564.&nbsp;

During the same period, 129 people have been discharged.&nbsp;

Currently, there are 4,056 active patients across the country. &nbsp;

Nepal on Wednesday celebrated New Year 2078 as per the ancient Bikram Sambat Hindu calendar amidst a spike in new Covid-19 cases. The calendar associated with King Bikramaditya of India is regarded as the official calendar of Nepal and the Nepalese New Year usually starts in mid-April.

Nepal on Wednesday celebrated New Year 2078 as per the ancient Bikram Sambat Hindu calendar amidst a spike in new Covid-19 cases. The calendar associated with King Bikramaditya of India is regarded as the official calendar of Nepal and the Nepalese New Year usually starts in mid-April. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, in a televised address to the nation, congratulated the people and counted his government's achievements and performances. He praised the government's policies in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, saying that the country suffered fewer losses in terms of lives and economy. "Keeping the pandemic in mind, the government worked to control the spread of the virus and because of our good policies, we didn't fail," Oli claimed. His address came amidst fear of a second wave of the virus transmission. Doctors and public health experts are concerned with the rising number of children testing positive for the Covid-19. Nepal has so far reported 3,061 deaths due to the contagion. After a decline in the number of new patients, the Covid-19 cases have surged lately. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Population reported 580 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the country's tally to 281,564. During the same period, 129 people have been discharged. Currently, there are 4,056 active patients across the country.

Nepal celebrates new year amidst increasing Covid-19 cases 

A lobbying scandal swirling around former British prime minister David Cameron has deepened with claims that a senior civil servant held down a part-time job with a now-bankrupt financial firm that was awarded lucrative government contracts.&nbsp;

The main opposition Labour Party called a vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday to demand a full parliamentary inquiry into the relationship between government ministers, civil servants and Greensill Capital, a financial services firm that collapsed last month, threatening thousands of jobs at a British steelmaker it helped finance.&nbsp;

The Conservative government has launched an investigation led by a lawyer, but opponents doubt it will get to the truth. Opposition parties are calling for tougher rules on contacts between business representatives and government officials, saying Britain's laxly enforced lobbying regulations leave the door open to corruption.&nbsp;

Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said the revelations showed the 'sleaze and cronyism that's at the heart of this Conservative government.' "We need to overhaul this whole broken system," he said.&nbsp;

A series of news reports over the last month revealed that Cameron lobbied senior government officials on behalf of a finance firm founded by Australian banker Lex Greensill, a former adviser to Cameron's 2010-2016 Conservative-led government.&nbsp;

Greensill Capital was given a lucrative role in 'supply chain finance' arrangements that saw it pay contractors on behalf of the government before being reimbursed by the Treasury. The system was designed to expedite payments to contractors, including pharmacies supplying the National Health Service, but critics say the government should just have paid the contractors directly.&nbsp;

Cameron worked as a part-time adviser to Greensill after he left office and held shares in the company.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, it emerged that a senior civil servant, Bill Crothers, began working as a part-time adviser to Greensill's board in September 2015, two months before he left his job as the government's chief commercial officer in charge of government purchasing.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he shared 'the widespread concern about some of the stuff that we're reading at the moment’. &nbsp;

"I do think it is a good idea in principle that civil servants should be able to engage with business and should have experience of private sector," Johnson told lawmakers in the House of Commons. But, he added, "it's not clear that those boundaries had been properly understood”. &nbsp;

British media began digging into Cameron's work for Greensill after the company's collapse forced the owner of Liberty Steel, which employs about 5,000 people, to seek a government bailout. Greensill was one of the company's key financial backers.&nbsp;

News reports have revealed that Cameron sent text messages to Treasury chief Rishi Sunak in an effort to secure government-backed loans for Greensill under a programme to help companies hurt by the Covid-19 pandemic. He also lobbied Health Secretary Matt Hancock on behalf of a Greensill product that would have allowed healthcare workers to receive advance payments on their salaries.&nbsp;

After weeks of silence, Cameron released a lengthy statement on Sunday, insisting that his work for the company didn't break any rules on the activities of former ministers. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A lobbying scandal swirling around former British prime minister David Cameron has deepened with claims that a senior civil servant held down a part-time job with a now-bankrupt financial firm that was awarded lucrative government contracts.

A lobbying scandal swirling around former British prime minister David Cameron has deepened with claims that a senior civil servant held down a part-time job with a now-bankrupt financial firm that was awarded lucrative government contracts. The main opposition Labour Party called a vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday to demand a full parliamentary inquiry into the relationship between government ministers, civil servants and Greensill Capital, a financial services firm that collapsed last month, threatening thousands of jobs at a British steelmaker it helped finance. The Conservative government has launched an investigation led by a lawyer, but opponents doubt it will get to the truth. Opposition parties are calling for tougher rules on contacts between business representatives and government officials, saying Britain's laxly enforced lobbying regulations leave the door open to corruption. Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said the revelations showed the 'sleaze and cronyism that's at the heart of this Conservative government.' "We need to overhaul this whole broken system," he said. A series of news reports over the last month revealed that Cameron lobbied senior government officials on behalf of a finance firm founded by Australian banker Lex Greensill, a former adviser to Cameron's 2010-2016 Conservative-led government. Greensill Capital was given a lucrative role in 'supply chain finance' arrangements that saw it pay contractors on behalf of the government before being reimbursed by the Treasury. The system was designed to expedite payments to contractors, including pharmacies supplying the National Health Service, but critics say the government should just have paid the contractors directly. Cameron worked as a part-time adviser to Greensill after he left office and held shares in the company. On Tuesday, it emerged that a senior civil servant, Bill Crothers, began working as a part-time adviser to Greensill's board in September 2015, two months before he left his job as the government's chief commercial officer in charge of government purchasing. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he shared 'the widespread concern about some of the stuff that we're reading at the moment’. "I do think it is a good idea in principle that civil servants should be able to engage with business and should have experience of private sector," Johnson told lawmakers in the House of Commons. But, he added, "it's not clear that those boundaries had been properly understood”. British media began digging into Cameron's work for Greensill after the company's collapse forced the owner of Liberty Steel, which employs about 5,000 people, to seek a government bailout. Greensill was one of the company's key financial backers. News reports have revealed that Cameron sent text messages to Treasury chief Rishi Sunak in an effort to secure government-backed loans for Greensill under a programme to help companies hurt by the Covid-19 pandemic. He also lobbied Health Secretary Matt Hancock on behalf of a Greensill product that would have allowed healthcare workers to receive advance payments on their salaries. After weeks of silence, Cameron released a lengthy statement on Sunday, insisting that his work for the company didn't break any rules on the activities of former ministers. (With inputs from agencies)

Opposition accuses government of sleaze amid lobbying scandal in UK 

In January this year, as Christmas &amp; New Year festivities came to an end, a new and more transmissible variant of the coronavirus led to a massive spike in infections in the UK. To suppress the surge, a third lockdown was imposed, one of the largest and most stringent lockdowns in the world. &nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-britons-celebrate-as-lockdown-ends-377387/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The movement of 56 million people was limited and a mass vaccination programme was launched.

Now, 98 days on, infections, hospitalisations, and deaths have fallen. At least 60% of the adult population has received one vaccine dose.

Britain is slowly unlocking as restrictions are being eased. &nbsp;

Boris Johnson plans to get a haircut, and the people are enjoying their freedom.

The mood is festive. A customer&nbsp;said, "Oh it feels great, it's amazing, there's nothing like it."&nbsp;

The streets are packed. Antonia and Blythe, two students, said, “The start of a new world baby. So exciting to be out on the street. It’s going to be a good time."&nbsp;

The stores are filled up. Nicole Teufelberger, a fashion student, said, “It’s really nice. We talked about it, we walked here, and it feels almost like London’s coming back alive.”&nbsp;

The pubs are buzzing. Lachlan Andrews and Ian Thomason, pub managers, said, “Yeah, I am definitely not going to take a pint for granted ever again. that's just always going to be like yeah... that's going to be a thing."&nbsp;

Families have reunited. Mother and son reunited after almost a year apart due to coronavirus restrictions, said, “It just feels like being released really, from a cage, basically seeing my boy again..."&nbsp;

And the drinks are flowing.&nbsp;

Alan Hargrave, a customer, said, “(drinks) Oh, worth the year wait, cheers."&nbsp;

After living under the most stringent restrictions, the people of the United Kingdom can't help but stay outdoors. In Birmingham, there are long queues outside luxury stores as people are keen to indulge in some retail therapy.&nbsp;

Valeria Schiavo, a shopper, said, “It’s amazing, it almost feels strange to be here actually, but it’s nice, finally."&nbsp;

In Yorkshire, they are toasting to the easing of restrictions with early morning pints.&nbsp;

Geoff, a customer, said, "It's just fantastic. So, I haven’t had one since Christmas day, so this is my first beer this year and how I will carry on later on, I don't know, but it tastes fantastic."&nbsp;

And in London, they are savouring the chance to meet with some steak and laughter. &nbsp;

George Wicks, guest at Skylight Bar, said, “Yeah, we were we were excited to get out. yeah. At least, anyway, it's nice to go out the flat."&nbsp;

At the onset of 2021, the United Kingdom was going through one of Europe's worst coronavirus outbreaks but thanks to timely measures, the situation is finally stabilising.&nbsp;

The infections have fallen by two-thirds since February.&nbsp;

Gatherings of 10 people are now being permitted and students above 8 years of age have returned to classrooms. Meanwhile, the vaccine rollout continues. 5.6 million people have been fully vaccinated,&nbsp;32 million have had their first dose and only 2,800 people are in hospital. According to estimates, by July 31, most British citizens above 18 years of age, in the age group of 40-49 years, 30-39 years, and 18-29 years, will have received their first dose.&nbsp;

&nbsp;UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said, “We are very confident about our vaccine supplies. This was always going to be the second dose month and people should come forward for the second doses, and people who are called from the 39-49 group should come forward and get theirs." &nbsp;

The vaccination programme has helped but Boris Johnson says, it was the lockdown which did most of the work. The UK Prime Minister said, "Yes, of course, the vaccination programme has helped but the bulk of the work in reducing the disease has been done by the lockdown."&nbsp;

As much of the world is bracing for yet another lockdown, the United Kingdom is returning to normalcy but after so many false dawns, there's no guarantee that there would be no going back one more time. &nbsp;

Johnson added, “So, as we unlock, the result will inevitably be that we will see more infection, sadly we will see more hospitalisations and deaths and people have just got to understand that." &nbsp;

In January this year, as Christmas & New Year festivities came to an end, a new and more transmissible variant of the coronavirus led to a massive spike in infections in the UK.

In January this year, as Christmas & New Year festivities came to an end, a new and more transmissible variant of the coronavirus led to a massive spike in infections in the UK. To suppress the surge, a third lockdown was imposed, one of the largest and most stringent lockdowns in the world. The movement of 56 million people was limited and a mass vaccination programme was launched. Now, 98 days on, infections, hospitalisations, and deaths have fallen. At least 60% of the adult population has received one vaccine dose. Britain is slowly unlocking as restrictions are being eased. Boris Johnson plans to get a haircut, and the people are enjoying their freedom. The mood is festive. A customer said, "Oh it feels great, it's amazing, there's nothing like it." The streets are packed. Antonia and Blythe, two students, said, “The start of a new world baby. So exciting to be out on the street. It’s going to be a good time." The stores are filled up. Nicole Teufelberger, a fashion student, said, “It’s really nice. We talked about it, we walked here, and it feels almost like London’s coming back alive.” The pubs are buzzing. Lachlan Andrews and Ian Thomason, pub managers, said, “Yeah, I am definitely not going to take a pint for granted ever again. that's just always going to be like yeah... that's going to be a thing." Families have reunited. Mother and son reunited after almost a year apart due to coronavirus restrictions, said, “It just feels like being released really, from a cage, basically seeing my boy again..." And the drinks are flowing. Alan Hargrave, a customer, said, “(drinks) Oh, worth the year wait, cheers." After living under the most stringent restrictions, the people of the United Kingdom can't help but stay outdoors. In Birmingham, there are long queues outside luxury stores as people are keen to indulge in some retail therapy. Valeria Schiavo, a shopper, said, “It’s amazing, it almost feels strange to be here actually, but it’s nice, finally." In Yorkshire, they are toasting to the easing of restrictions with early morning pints. Geoff, a customer, said, "It's just fantastic. So, I haven’t had one since Christmas day, so this is my first beer this year and how I will carry on later on, I don't know, but it tastes fantastic." And in London, they are savouring the chance to meet with some steak and laughter. George Wicks, guest at Skylight Bar, said, “Yeah, we were we were excited to get out. yeah. At least, anyway, it's nice to go out the flat." At the onset of 2021, the United Kingdom was going through one of Europe's worst coronavirus outbreaks but thanks to timely measures, the situation is finally stabilising. The infections have fallen by two-thirds since February. Gatherings of 10 people are now being permitted and students above 8 years of age have returned to classrooms. Meanwhile, the vaccine rollout continues. 5.6 million people have been fully vaccinated, 32 million have had their first dose and only 2,800 people are in hospital. According to estimates, by July 31, most British citizens above 18 years of age, in the age group of 40-49 years, 30-39 years, and 18-29 years, will have received their first dose. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said, “We are very confident about our vaccine supplies. This was always going to be the second dose month and people should come forward for the second doses, and people who are called from the 39-49 group should come forward and get theirs." The vaccination programme has helped but Boris Johnson says, it was the lockdown which did most of the work. The UK Prime Minister said, "Yes, of course, the vaccination programme has helped but the bulk of the work in reducing the disease has been done by the lockdown." As much of the world is bracing for yet another lockdown, the United Kingdom is returning to normalcy but after so many false dawns, there's no guarantee that there would be no going back one more time. Johnson added, “So, as we unlock, the result will inevitably be that we will see more infection, sadly we will see more hospitalisations and deaths and people have just got to understand that."

UK returns to normalcy as restrictions ease 

With the right planning, we can contain the coronavirus surge.

But what about the origins of the virus?

That's a question, we still haven't settled and it's important to revisit the question.

Because, history notoriously repeats itself. If we don't fix it now, it will happen again and that's something the world cannot afford.

So, here's the question I've been asking for more than a year.

Did the coronavirus come from a lab in China? Or a wet market in China? &nbsp;

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The World Health Organization (WHO), which launched a probe, doesn't have the answer.

Instead, it has an appeal.&nbsp;It is now urging countries to suspend the sale of live animals in food markets. &nbsp;

Why now? And what does it mean? &nbsp;

Wet markets could have launched this pandemic from China to the rest of the world.

One year on, the Wuhan wet market remains barricaded and empty. The WHO team paid a visit to this market while hunting for clues but came up with nothing conclusive.

Why is this place central to the pandemic story? Because the allegations of cover-up began here, the initial cluster of the virus was noticed here.

There are clues staring the world in the face but the WHO doesn't acknowledge them. Instead, it issues an advisory to shut down all markets, which sell live animals.

The statement came on Tuesday. The world health body urging countries to suspend the sale of live animals in food markets. Why? Because the WHO believes they could be the source of emerging infectious diseases. It says everything but stops short of linking this Chinese market with the coronavirus. &nbsp;

The new WHO guidance says animals, particularly wild animals, are the source of more than 70 per cent of all emerging infectious diseases.

Its investigators said&nbsp;the coronavirus probably emerged in bats first and it spread to humans through an intermediary. &nbsp;

About 28 per cent of the initial cases were linked to the Wuhan wet market. This market sold sika deer, badgers, bamboo rats, live crocodiles and other animals. Some 23 per cent of the cases were tied to other markets in Wuhan but with China withholding data, it's hard to prove they were the source of the pandemic. &nbsp;

The WHO believes that banning the sale of animals in such markets could protect the health of people.

It can only appeal. There's no guarantee that member countries, like China will comply.

Remember, these wet markets were back in business last year in China.

A Reuters correspondent paid a visit to one in Wuhan in December. Shoppers were lining up to buy live fish, frogs and turtles. There is enough medical research to prove these are breeding grounds for deadly viruses, keeping them open is inviting another pandemic.&nbsp;

With the right planning, we can contain the coronavirus surge. But what about the origins of the virus? That's a question, we still haven't settled and it's important to revisit the question.

With the right planning, we can contain the coronavirus surge. But what about the origins of the virus? That's a question, we still haven't settled and it's important to revisit the question. Because, history notoriously repeats itself. If we don't fix it now, it will happen again and that's something the world cannot afford. So, here's the question I've been asking for more than a year. Did the coronavirus come from a lab in China? Or a wet market in China? The World Health Organization (WHO), which launched a probe, doesn't have the answer. Instead, it has an appeal. It is now urging countries to suspend the sale of live animals in food markets. Why now? And what does it mean? Wet markets could have launched this pandemic from China to the rest of the world. One year on, the Wuhan wet market remains barricaded and empty. The WHO team paid a visit to this market while hunting for clues but came up with nothing conclusive. Why is this place central to the pandemic story? Because the allegations of cover-up began here, the initial cluster of the virus was noticed here. There are clues staring the world in the face but the WHO doesn't acknowledge them. Instead, it issues an advisory to shut down all markets, which sell live animals. The statement came on Tuesday. The world health body urging countries to suspend the sale of live animals in food markets. Why? Because the WHO believes they could be the source of emerging infectious diseases. It says everything but stops short of linking this Chinese market with the coronavirus. The new WHO guidance says animals, particularly wild animals, are the source of more than 70 per cent of all emerging infectious diseases. Its investigators said the coronavirus probably emerged in bats first and it spread to humans through an intermediary. About 28 per cent of the initial cases were linked to the Wuhan wet market. This market sold sika deer, badgers, bamboo rats, live crocodiles and other animals. Some 23 per cent of the cases were tied to other markets in Wuhan but with China withholding data, it's hard to prove they were the source of the pandemic. The WHO believes that banning the sale of animals in such markets could protect the health of people. It can only appeal. There's no guarantee that member countries, like China will comply. Remember, these wet markets were back in business last year in China. A Reuters correspondent paid a visit to one in Wuhan in December. Shoppers were lining up to buy live fish, frogs and turtles. There is enough medical research to prove these are breeding grounds for deadly viruses, keeping them open is inviting another pandemic.

WHO advisory to suspend sale of live animals in food markets raises eyebrows

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced plans on Wednesday for a major contract extension for Covid-19 vaccines with Pfizer stretching to 2023.&nbsp;

In a sign of confidence in a company that has been a mainstay of Europe's vaccination drive so far, von der Leyen said the EU will start negotiating to buy 1.8 billion doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine through 2023.&nbsp;

Von der Leyen expressed full confidence in the technology used for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is different from the technology behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.&nbsp;

"We need to focus on the technologies that have proven their worth," von der Leyen said.&nbsp;

Pfizer-BioNTech plans to provide the EU with an extra 50 million dozes in the second quarter of this year, on top of 200 million doses already earmarked for the bloc. The deliveries will be especially welcomed by the EU's 27 member nations considering supply delays and concerns over rare blood clots potentially linked to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. &nbsp;

Denmark decided on Wednesday not to resume use of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine after putting it on hold last month following reports of rare blood clots in some recipients. The bulk of the shots given in the Scandinavian country so far have been the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.&nbsp;

The European Commission currently has a portfolio of 2.3 billion doses from a half dozen companies and is negotiating more contracts.&nbsp;

The planned negotiations with Pfizer left in the middle what the EU would do about any new contracts with AstraZeneca, which has had massive delivery problems during the first quarter and expects to send far fewer vaccines than its contract with the EU called for during the second quarter. &nbsp;

The European Commission said in a statement, "We keep all options open to be prepared for the next stages of the pandemic, for 2022 and beyond. We can, however, not comment on contractual issues." Von der Leyen, however, showed her full support for Pfizer-BioNTech, with the announcement for the massive order. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced plans on Wednesday for a major contract extension for Covid-19 vaccines with Pfizer stretching to 2023. In a sign of confidence in a company that has been a mainstay of Europe's vaccination drive so far, von der Leyen said the EU will start negotiating to buy 1.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced plans on Wednesday for a major contract extension for Covid-19 vaccines with Pfizer stretching to 2023. In a sign of confidence in a company that has been a mainstay of Europe's vaccination drive so far, von der Leyen said the EU will start negotiating to buy 1.8 billion doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine through 2023. Von der Leyen expressed full confidence in the technology used for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is different from the technology behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. "We need to focus on the technologies that have proven their worth," von der Leyen said. Pfizer-BioNTech plans to provide the EU with an extra 50 million dozes in the second quarter of this year, on top of 200 million doses already earmarked for the bloc. The deliveries will be especially welcomed by the EU's 27 member nations considering supply delays and concerns over rare blood clots potentially linked to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Denmark decided on Wednesday not to resume use of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine after putting it on hold last month following reports of rare blood clots in some recipients. The bulk of the shots given in the Scandinavian country so far have been the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The European Commission currently has a portfolio of 2.3 billion doses from a half dozen companies and is negotiating more contracts. The planned negotiations with Pfizer left in the middle what the EU would do about any new contracts with AstraZeneca, which has had massive delivery problems during the first quarter and expects to send far fewer vaccines than its contract with the EU called for during the second quarter. The European Commission said in a statement, "We keep all options open to be prepared for the next stages of the pandemic, for 2022 and beyond. We can, however, not comment on contractual issues." Von der Leyen, however, showed her full support for Pfizer-BioNTech, with the announcement for the massive order. (With inputs from agencies)

EU looks to buy 1.8 billion doses of Pfizer vaccine through 2023 

An evolving enemy is of the worst kind as tried and tested methods may not work in its case. The coronavirus is one such evolving enemy. It has mutated thousands of times. Some mutations are more dangerous as they are difficult to trace. So, what should we do?&nbsp;

We must keep updating ourselves to tackle it and mutations are proving to be the biggest challenge. They have been reported in the UK, South Africa, Brazil, the US, even in India. Earlier this year, India reported a case of double mutation.&nbsp;

Why are these variants important?&nbsp;Because they have super-charged the pandemic. In Brazil, the p1 variant is driving the surge in cases. In India, some experts say mutations are behind the massive second wave. So, tracking these changes is important. Remember the thumb rule of 2020: trace, test and quarantine.&nbsp;

But tracing mutants is hard work as normal RTPCR test isn't working on them. In some cases, the mutants are escaping the test. So, here's what happens. You get a test done, your result is negative, but you're actually infected, and you'll probably discover it when your condition is much worse. This is a very scary scenario. &nbsp;

The US Food and Drugs Administration has warned of this as genetic variants could possibly mislead the RTPCR test. It's happening in India too and elsewhere in South Asia. So far, the RTPCR was your best bet to detect the presence of a virus. Not anymore, it seems. The mutations pose a new challenge.

So, what's the workaround here?&nbsp;

Doctors will have to bank on their diagnostic chops. There are some classic covid symptoms, the lungs for example appear glassy in a CT scan but even a CT scan can sometimes mislead. The fool-proof method, we're told, is genome testing. What's that? &nbsp;

It is finding genetic code of the mutant. Unless we know this code, we won't recognise the mutant and so, a test won't detect it. So, we are basically operating in the dark. Going forward, genome sequencing must be our eyes and ears. Otherwise, even vaccines may not help. &nbsp;

Let's look at the numbers, this time last year versus right now. First, let's look at the daily caseload. This is what the last five days looked like: more than 746,000 cases were reported last Thursday but by Monday, the numbers plateaued. There were 588,000 cases reported globally on Monday.&nbsp;

In case of daily deaths, last Thursday was a peak. More than 13,000 deaths were reported on Monday. This came down to 8,800 and now, this sample is too small to draw trends.&nbsp;

But projections have been made for as far as August 1. This is one such model made by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. What does it say?&nbsp;

At the current rate of vaccination and mutation, we could be looking at more than 4,730,000 deaths. That's if the current trends hold, but what if things get worse?&nbsp;

In a worst-case scenario, global deaths could cross the five million mark. That's a nightmare scenario, but if everyone wears a mask and social distancing is strictly imposed, we can still save lives. A worst-case scenario, unfortunately, looks like this: more than four million deaths. &nbsp;

Let's face it, none of these scenarios are ideal, but that's where we are heading. Africa and Latin America are struggling with vaccination. Jabs are running out and mutants are running riot. There is just one saving grace, last year the virus came out of nowhere. Most countries did not have the infrastructure to handle the cases, so serious infections inevitably led to death. In 2021, that should not be the case. We have added millions of hospital beds and thousands of intensive care units. So, even patients with the mutant strain are surviving. The trend of 2021 is, higher caseloads but fewer deaths.&nbsp;

Remember the basic rules, they remain the same: masks, social distancing and sanitising. Mutant or not, the sanitiser will get it. And vaccinate like there is no tomorrow. Governments must pump more money into vaccine-making, dispel all notions of vaccine hesitancy and make herd immunity, their number one priority.&nbsp;

The coronavirus is like a Maths problem, whose variables keep changing. &nbsp;

An evolving enemy is of the worst kind as tried and tested methods may not work in its case. The coronavirus is one such evolving enemy. It has mutated thousands of times.

An evolving enemy is of the worst kind as tried and tested methods may not work in its case. The coronavirus is one such evolving enemy. It has mutated thousands of times. Some mutations are more dangerous as they are difficult to trace. So, what should we do? We must keep updating ourselves to tackle it and mutations are proving to be the biggest challenge. They have been reported in the UK, South Africa, Brazil, the US, even in India. Earlier this year, India reported a case of double mutation. Why are these variants important? Because they have super-charged the pandemic. In Brazil, the p1 variant is driving the surge in cases. In India, some experts say mutations are behind the massive second wave. So, tracking these changes is important. Remember the thumb rule of 2020: trace, test and quarantine. But tracing mutants is hard work as normal RTPCR test isn't working on them. In some cases, the mutants are escaping the test. So, here's what happens. You get a test done, your result is negative, but you're actually infected, and you'll probably discover it when your condition is much worse. This is a very scary scenario. The US Food and Drugs Administration has warned of this as genetic variants could possibly mislead the RTPCR test. It's happening in India too and elsewhere in South Asia. So far, the RTPCR was your best bet to detect the presence of a virus. Not anymore, it seems. The mutations pose a new challenge. So, what's the workaround here? Doctors will have to bank on their diagnostic chops. There are some classic covid symptoms, the lungs for example appear glassy in a CT scan but even a CT scan can sometimes mislead. The fool-proof method, we're told, is genome testing. What's that? It is finding genetic code of the mutant. Unless we know this code, we won't recognise the mutant and so, a test won't detect it. So, we are basically operating in the dark. Going forward, genome sequencing must be our eyes and ears. Otherwise, even vaccines may not help. Let's look at the numbers, this time last year versus right now. First, let's look at the daily caseload. This is what the last five days looked like: more than 746,000 cases were reported last Thursday but by Monday, the numbers plateaued. There were 588,000 cases reported globally on Monday. In case of daily deaths, last Thursday was a peak. More than 13,000 deaths were reported on Monday. This came down to 8,800 and now, this sample is too small to draw trends. But projections have been made for as far as August 1. This is one such model made by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. What does it say? At the current rate of vaccination and mutation, we could be looking at more than 4,730,000 deaths. That's if the current trends hold, but what if things get worse? In a worst-case scenario, global deaths could cross the five million mark. That's a nightmare scenario, but if everyone wears a mask and social distancing is strictly imposed, we can still save lives. A worst-case scenario, unfortunately, looks like this: more than four million deaths. Let's face it, none of these scenarios are ideal, but that's where we are heading. Africa and Latin America are struggling with vaccination. Jabs are running out and mutants are running riot. There is just one saving grace, last year the virus came out of nowhere. Most countries did not have the infrastructure to handle the cases, so serious infections inevitably led to death. In 2021, that should not be the case. We have added millions of hospital beds and thousands of intensive care units. So, even patients with the mutant strain are surviving. The trend of 2021 is, higher caseloads but fewer deaths. Remember the basic rules, they remain the same: masks, social distancing and sanitising. Mutant or not, the sanitiser will get it. And vaccinate like there is no tomorrow. Governments must pump more money into vaccine-making, dispel all notions of vaccine hesitancy and make herd immunity, their number one priority. The coronavirus is like a Maths problem, whose variables keep changing.

Fighting new strains of coronavirus sends world into a tizzy 

A Texas police officer was shot multiple times during a traffic stop early on Wednesday and police were searching for suspects, authorities said.&nbsp;

The shooting happened at about 4:15 am. Wednesday in Burleson, about 45 miles (70 kilometres) southwest of Dallas, the police department said on Twitter.&nbsp;

Police said the officer was taken to a Fort Worth hospital and his condition wasn't immediately known.&nbsp;

The shooting is at least the fourth involving a Texas law enforcement officer in recent weeks.&nbsp;

An Austin police officer was shot and wounded on Friday, while a state trooper was shot and wounded during a manhunt for a man accused of opening fire on a cabinet business. And late last month, a state trooper was fatally shot during a traffic stop near Mexia, about 75 miles (120 kilometres) southeast of Dallas. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, massive protests have broken out near the US city of Minneapolis after a policeman fatally shot a young Black man near where George Floyd was killed last year.&nbsp;

The man has been identified as 20-year-old Daunte Wright.&nbsp;

Police in a Minneapolis suburb said an officer fatally shot a driver Sunday, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement.&nbsp;

Hundreds of people gathered outside the police station in Brooklyn Center, northwest of Minneapolis. Police fired tear gas and flashbangs at the demonstrators, according to videojournalists at the scene.&nbsp;

The mother of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, told a crowd earlier Sunday evening that he called her to say he had been pulled over by police, local media reported.&nbsp;

Katie Wright said she heard officers tell her son to put his phone down, and then one of the officers ended the call. Soon after, her son's girlfriend told her he had been shot.&nbsp;

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension confirmed that it is "investigating an officer-involved shooting incident" in Brooklyn Center.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A Texas police officer was shot multiple times during a traffic stop early on Wednesday and police were searching for suspects, authorities said. The shooting happened at about 4:15 am.

A Texas police officer was shot multiple times during a traffic stop early on Wednesday and police were searching for suspects, authorities said. The shooting happened at about 4:15 am. Wednesday in Burleson, about 45 miles (70 kilometres) southwest of Dallas, the police department said on Twitter. Police said the officer was taken to a Fort Worth hospital and his condition wasn't immediately known. The shooting is at least the fourth involving a Texas law enforcement officer in recent weeks. An Austin police officer was shot and wounded on Friday, while a state trooper was shot and wounded during a manhunt for a man accused of opening fire on a cabinet business. And late last month, a state trooper was fatally shot during a traffic stop near Mexia, about 75 miles (120 kilometres) southeast of Dallas. Meanwhile, massive protests have broken out near the US city of Minneapolis after a policeman fatally shot a young Black man near where George Floyd was killed last year. The man has been identified as 20-year-old Daunte Wright. Police in a Minneapolis suburb said an officer fatally shot a driver Sunday, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement. Hundreds of people gathered outside the police station in Brooklyn Center, northwest of Minneapolis. Police fired tear gas and flashbangs at the demonstrators, according to videojournalists at the scene. The mother of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, told a crowd earlier Sunday evening that he called her to say he had been pulled over by police, local media reported. Katie Wright said she heard officers tell her son to put his phone down, and then one of the officers ended the call. Soon after, her son's girlfriend told her he had been shot. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension confirmed that it is "investigating an officer-involved shooting incident" in Brooklyn Center. (With inputs from agencies)

US cop shot multiple times during traffic stop in Texas 

Pakistan on Wednesday decided to ban a radical Islamist party under the Terrorism Act after its supporters clashed with the law enforcement agencies for the third consecutive day, leaving seven persons dead and over 300 policemen injured.&nbsp;

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told the media that the Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) was being banned under the Rule 11-B of Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.&nbsp;

"I have approved a proposal sent by the government of Punjab to ban the TLP," he said. "We have also warned those who are funding the TLP."&nbsp;

Ahmed said that at least two police officials were killed and 340 others injured in clashes with the protestors during the last two days.&nbsp;

There were media reports that at least two protestors were also killed.&nbsp;

The announcement came hours after the Pakistani Rangers cleared the major thoroughfares of the country following sporadic clashes with TLP supporters in some towns and cities.&nbsp;

The TLP had launched the country-wide protest on Monday after the arrest of its chief Saad Hussain Rizvi ahead of April 20 deadline the Islamists had given to the Imran Khan government for the expulsion of the French ambassador for publication. The demand was made over the publishing of cartoons of Prophet Muhammad in France.&nbsp;

The TLP, which bagged 2.5 million votes in the 2018 general elections, blocked roads across the country following the arrest of Saad Rizvi, son of Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who died a few months ago.&nbsp;

The minister said that all motorways and highways had been cleared and the main choking point in major cities had also been cleared for traffic.&nbsp;

Over 800 Indian Sikhs, who arrived in Lahore via Wagah border on Monday to attend Vaisakhi festival in Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hassanabdal, Rawalpindi, finally reached their destination on Wednesday morning.&nbsp;

On Tuesday afternoon, the visiting Indian Sikhs left Lahore for Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hassanabdal in 25 buses, which were escorted by police and Rangers. "Owing to the TLP protest that blocked roads, the Sikh yatrees reached Hassanabdal at 4 am Wednesday after over 14 hours journey which otherwise is covered in three hours," an official of the Punjab government said.&nbsp;

The law enforcement agencies claim to have arrested over 2,000 TLP workers across the country mostly from Punjab.&nbsp;

Ahmed said that "the government will deal with an iron fist with those who take the law into their own hands".&nbsp;

He said Rangers would remain deployed in all major cities of the country during the month of Ramadan to maintain law and order. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Pakistan on Wednesday decided to ban a radical Islamist party under the Terrorism Act after its supporters clashed with the law enforcement agencies for the third consecutive day, leaving seven persons dead and over 300 policemen injured.

Pakistan on Wednesday decided to ban a radical Islamist party under the Terrorism Act after its supporters clashed with the law enforcement agencies for the third consecutive day, leaving seven persons dead and over 300 policemen injured. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told the media that the Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) was being banned under the Rule 11-B of Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997. "I have approved a proposal sent by the government of Punjab to ban the TLP," he said. "We have also warned those who are funding the TLP." Ahmed said that at least two police officials were killed and 340 others injured in clashes with the protestors during the last two days. There were media reports that at least two protestors were also killed. The announcement came hours after the Pakistani Rangers cleared the major thoroughfares of the country following sporadic clashes with TLP supporters in some towns and cities. The TLP had launched the country-wide protest on Monday after the arrest of its chief Saad Hussain Rizvi ahead of April 20 deadline the Islamists had given to the Imran Khan government for the expulsion of the French ambassador for publication. The demand was made over the publishing of cartoons of Prophet Muhammad in France. The TLP, which bagged 2.5 million votes in the 2018 general elections, blocked roads across the country following the arrest of Saad Rizvi, son of Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who died a few months ago. The minister said that all motorways and highways had been cleared and the main choking point in major cities had also been cleared for traffic. Over 800 Indian Sikhs, who arrived in Lahore via Wagah border on Monday to attend Vaisakhi festival in Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hassanabdal, Rawalpindi, finally reached their destination on Wednesday morning. On Tuesday afternoon, the visiting Indian Sikhs left Lahore for Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hassanabdal in 25 buses, which were escorted by police and Rangers. "Owing to the TLP protest that blocked roads, the Sikh yatrees reached Hassanabdal at 4 am Wednesday after over 14 hours journey which otherwise is covered in three hours," an official of the Punjab government said. The law enforcement agencies claim to have arrested over 2,000 TLP workers across the country mostly from Punjab. Ahmed said that "the government will deal with an iron fist with those who take the law into their own hands". He said Rangers would remain deployed in all major cities of the country during the month of Ramadan to maintain law and order. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan bans radical Islamist party after clashes leave 7 dead, over 300 hurt 

Venezuela's government wants funds frozen in the United States to be put toward paying for coronavirus vaccines and will keep working with the opposition to negotiate this payment, the head of the government-controlled legislature said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Allies of opposition leader Juan Guaido have for months been in talks with state officials to buy vaccines through the COVAX programme using funds frozen by the US Treasury as part of sanctions against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.&nbsp;

Maduro over the weekend said his government had paid some $64 million to the GAVI Vaccine Alliance, spurring doubts as to whether the government would pull the plug on talks to use the frozen funds for the inoculation campaign.&nbsp;

Jorge Rodriguez, head of the National Assembly dominated by the ruling Socialist Party, said talks regarding the 'kidnapped' funds would continue.&nbsp;

"If more of the kidnapped resources are used, it would be to buy the vaccines that are needed via the (Pan American Health Organisation) and the (World Health Organisation)," Rodriguez said in a news conference.&nbsp;

In 2019, Washington froze $342 million held by the Venezuelan central bank in the United States, as part of a sanctions programme that sought to remove Maduro from power. &nbsp;

The funds were put under the control of opposition leader Guaido and the interim government he created, but moving them requires a license from the US Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).&nbsp;

A working group created last year to ensure Venezuela's access to COVAX, which includes health ministry officials as well as advisers to Guaido, will continue seeking to use the OFAC funds for vaccines, Rodriguez said. &nbsp;

His comments were the first time a government official has publicly acknowledged the discussions with the Guaido allies, who he described as 'kidnappers’. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Venezuela's government wants funds frozen in the United States to be put toward paying for coronavirus vaccines and will keep working with the opposition to negotiate this payment, the head of the government-controlled legislature said on Tuesday.

Venezuela's government wants funds frozen in the United States to be put toward paying for coronavirus vaccines and will keep working with the opposition to negotiate this payment, the head of the government-controlled legislature said on Tuesday. Allies of opposition leader Juan Guaido have for months been in talks with state officials to buy vaccines through the COVAX programme using funds frozen by the US Treasury as part of sanctions against the government of President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro over the weekend said his government had paid some $64 million to the GAVI Vaccine Alliance, spurring doubts as to whether the government would pull the plug on talks to use the frozen funds for the inoculation campaign. Jorge Rodriguez, head of the National Assembly dominated by the ruling Socialist Party, said talks regarding the 'kidnapped' funds would continue. "If more of the kidnapped resources are used, it would be to buy the vaccines that are needed via the (Pan American Health Organisation) and the (World Health Organisation)," Rodriguez said in a news conference. In 2019, Washington froze $342 million held by the Venezuelan central bank in the United States, as part of a sanctions programme that sought to remove Maduro from power. The funds were put under the control of opposition leader Guaido and the interim government he created, but moving them requires a license from the US Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). A working group created last year to ensure Venezuela's access to COVAX, which includes health ministry officials as well as advisers to Guaido, will continue seeking to use the OFAC funds for vaccines, Rodriguez said. His comments were the first time a government official has publicly acknowledged the discussions with the Guaido allies, who he described as 'kidnappers’. (With inputs from agencies)

Venezuela government wants to use funds frozen in US to pay for vaccines 

Former secretary of defence Mark Esper has said the United States should deploy more troops along the Black Sea in Bulgaria and Romania to deter potential aggression from Russia as tensions between Moscow and Washington heat up.&nbsp;

Esper, now a fellow at the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University, said "I think we need to continue to stand up to Russia and try to deter their bad behavior."&nbsp;

Washington should look to reassure European allies and boost the NATO alliance by deploying more forces in Poland, "into the Baltics, if it makes sense, and places like Romania and Bulgaria, if not on a permanent - on a rotational basis," Esper said in an interview on Tuesday.&nbsp;

President Joe Biden called on Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to reduce tensions stirred by a Russian military build-up on Ukraine's border and proposed a summit of the estranged leaders to tackle a raft of disputes.&nbsp;

Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and fighting has increased in recent weeks in eastern Ukraine, where government forces have battled Russian-backed separatists in a seven-year conflict that Kyiv says has killed 14,000 people. &nbsp;

When he was running the Pentagon last year, Esper advocated a similar shift as former President Donald Trump announced his intention to cut the US troop contingent in Germany by about a third, saying Berlin had been taking advantage of the United States while not meeting financial obligations to NATO.&nbsp;

The United States announced on Tuesday that it will ramp up its forces in Germany amid the latest tensions with Russia over Ukraine, abandoning Trump's plan to withdraw around 12,000 of the 36,000 US troops there.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Former secretary of defence Mark Esper has said the United States should deploy more troops along the Black Sea in Bulgaria and Romania to deter potential aggression from Russia as tensions between Moscow and Washington heat up.

Former secretary of defence Mark Esper has said the United States should deploy more troops along the Black Sea in Bulgaria and Romania to deter potential aggression from Russia as tensions between Moscow and Washington heat up. Esper, now a fellow at the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University, said "I think we need to continue to stand up to Russia and try to deter their bad behavior." Washington should look to reassure European allies and boost the NATO alliance by deploying more forces in Poland, "into the Baltics, if it makes sense, and places like Romania and Bulgaria, if not on a permanent - on a rotational basis," Esper said in an interview on Tuesday. President Joe Biden called on Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to reduce tensions stirred by a Russian military build-up on Ukraine's border and proposed a summit of the estranged leaders to tackle a raft of disputes. Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and fighting has increased in recent weeks in eastern Ukraine, where government forces have battled Russian-backed separatists in a seven-year conflict that Kyiv says has killed 14,000 people. When he was running the Pentagon last year, Esper advocated a similar shift as former President Donald Trump announced his intention to cut the US troop contingent in Germany by about a third, saying Berlin had been taking advantage of the United States while not meeting financial obligations to NATO. The United States announced on Tuesday that it will ramp up its forces in Germany amid the latest tensions with Russia over Ukraine, abandoning Trump's plan to withdraw around 12,000 of the 36,000 US troops there. (With inputs from agencies)

US should deploy troops along Black Sea, says former Pentagon chief 

Britain will withdraw nearly all its soldiers from Afghanistan following the US plan to withdraw its troops by September 11, 2021, The Times reported on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Britain has drawn up plans to hand over control of the academy in Kabul where troops help to train Afghan soldiers to the government, the newspaper said.&nbsp;

There are about 750 British soldiers in Afghanistan, who would struggle without US support because of the reliance on US bases and infrastructure, according to the Times.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden plans to withdraw the remaining 2,500 US troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, 20 years to the day after the al Qaeda attacks that triggered America's longest war, US officials said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The disclosure of the plan came on the same day that the US intelligence community released a gloomy outlook for Afghanistan, forecasting 'low' chances of a peace deal this year and warning that its government would struggle to hold the Taliban insurgency at bay if the US-led coalition withdraws support.&nbsp;

Biden's decision would miss a May 1 deadline for withdrawal agreed to with the Taliban by his predecessor Donald Trump. The insurgents had threatened to resume hostilities against foreign troops if that deadline was missed. But Biden would still be setting a near-term withdrawal date, potentially allaying Taliban concerns. &nbsp;

The Democratic president will publicly announce his decision on Wednesday, the White House said. A senior Biden administration official said the pullout would begin before May 1 and could be complete well before the September 11 deadline. Significantly, it will not would be subject to further conditions, including security or human rights.&nbsp;

"The president has judged that a conditions-based approach, which has been the approach of the past two decades, is a recipe in staying in Afghanistan forever," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in a briefing with reporters.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Britain will withdraw nearly all its soldiers from Afghanistan following the US plan to withdraw its troops by September 11, 2021, The Times reported on Tuesday.

Britain will withdraw nearly all its soldiers from Afghanistan following the US plan to withdraw its troops by September 11, 2021, The Times reported on Tuesday. Britain has drawn up plans to hand over control of the academy in Kabul where troops help to train Afghan soldiers to the government, the newspaper said. There are about 750 British soldiers in Afghanistan, who would struggle without US support because of the reliance on US bases and infrastructure, according to the Times. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden plans to withdraw the remaining 2,500 US troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, 20 years to the day after the al Qaeda attacks that triggered America's longest war, US officials said on Tuesday. The disclosure of the plan came on the same day that the US intelligence community released a gloomy outlook for Afghanistan, forecasting 'low' chances of a peace deal this year and warning that its government would struggle to hold the Taliban insurgency at bay if the US-led coalition withdraws support. Biden's decision would miss a May 1 deadline for withdrawal agreed to with the Taliban by his predecessor Donald Trump. The insurgents had threatened to resume hostilities against foreign troops if that deadline was missed. But Biden would still be setting a near-term withdrawal date, potentially allaying Taliban concerns. The Democratic president will publicly announce his decision on Wednesday, the White House said. A senior Biden administration official said the pullout would begin before May 1 and could be complete well before the September 11 deadline. Significantly, it will not would be subject to further conditions, including security or human rights. "The president has judged that a conditions-based approach, which has been the approach of the past two decades, is a recipe in staying in Afghanistan forever," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in a briefing with reporters. (With inputs from agencies)

Britain to withdraw nearly all its troops from Afghanistan, says report

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Zee News Rajasthan

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