Researchers have unearthed the crucial steps to the embalming process used to prepare ancient Egyptians for the afterlife.

The oldest surviving manual on mummification discovered is based on a manual recently discovered in a 3,500-year-old medical papyrus.

In ancient Egypt, embalming was considered a sacred art, and knowledge of the process was the preserve of very few individuals.

Also see|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/scientists-digitally-unwrap-mummies-of-ancient-egyptian-cat-snake-and-bird-322116">Scientists digitally 'unwrap' mummies of ancient Egyptian cat, snake and bird</a>

Most secrets of the art were probably passed on orally from one embalmer to the other, Egyptologists believe, so written evidence is scarce; until recently, only two texts on mummification had been identified.

Egyptologists were therefore surprised to find a short manual on embalming in a medical text that is primarily concerned with herbal medicine and swellings of the skin.&nbsp;

The importance of the Papyrus Louvre-Carlsberg manual in reconstructing the embalming process lies in its specification of the process being divided into intervals of four, with the embalmers actively working on the mummy every four days.

According to&nbsp;Sofie Schiødt, the lead author of the study, ''A ritual procession of the mummy marked these days, celebrating the progress of restoring the deceased’s corporeal integrity, amounting to 17 processions over the course of the embalming period. In between the four-day intervals, the body was covered with cloth and overlaid with straw infused with aromatics to keep away insects and scavengers.''

The two parts of the papyrus originally belonged to two private collectors, and several sections of it are still missing. Based on the palaeography, that is, the sign forms, the six-metre long papyrus is dated to approximately 1450 BC, which means that it predates the only two other examples of embalming texts by more than a thousand years.

The bulk of the papyrus, which is the second-longest medical papyrus surviving from ancient Egypt, deals with herbal medicine and skin illnesses.

Specifically, it contains the earliest-known herbal treatise, which provides descriptions of the appearance, habitat, uses, and religious significance of a divine plant and its seed as well as a lengthy treatise on swellings of the skin, which are seen as illnesses sent forth by the lunar god Khonsu.

Researchers have unearthed the crucial steps to the embalming process used to prepare ancient Egyptians for the afterlife. The oldest surviving manual on mummification discovered is based on a manual recently discovered in a 3,500-year-old medical papyrus.

Researchers have unearthed the crucial steps to the embalming process used to prepare ancient Egyptians for the afterlife. The oldest surviving manual on mummification discovered is based on a manual recently discovered in a 3,500-year-old medical papyrus. In ancient Egypt, embalming was considered a sacred art, and knowledge of the process was the preserve of very few individuals. Also see| Scientists digitally 'unwrap' mummies of ancient Egyptian cat, snake and bird Most secrets of the art were probably passed on orally from one embalmer to the other, Egyptologists believe, so written evidence is scarce; until recently, only two texts on mummification had been identified. Egyptologists were therefore surprised to find a short manual on embalming in a medical text that is primarily concerned with herbal medicine and swellings of the skin. The importance of the Papyrus Louvre-Carlsberg manual in reconstructing the embalming process lies in its specification of the process being divided into intervals of four, with the embalmers actively working on the mummy every four days. According to Sofie Schiødt, the lead author of the study, ''A ritual procession of the mummy marked these days, celebrating the progress of restoring the deceased’s corporeal integrity, amounting to 17 processions over the course of the embalming period. In between the four-day intervals, the body was covered with cloth and overlaid with straw infused with aromatics to keep away insects and scavengers.'' The two parts of the papyrus originally belonged to two private collectors, and several sections of it are still missing. Based on the palaeography, that is, the sign forms, the six-metre long papyrus is dated to approximately 1450 BC, which means that it predates the only two other examples of embalming texts by more than a thousand years. The bulk of the papyrus, which is the second-longest medical papyrus surviving from ancient Egypt, deals with herbal medicine and skin illnesses. Specifically, it contains the earliest-known herbal treatise, which provides descriptions of the appearance, habitat, uses, and religious significance of a divine plant and its seed as well as a lengthy treatise on swellings of the skin, which are seen as illnesses sent forth by the lunar god Khonsu.

Scientists unearth crucial steps used to prepare ancient Egyptians for afterlife

Researchers have discovered three deep-sea sharks that glow in the dark, including one that is the largest known luminous vertebrate in a recent study.

Bioluminescence has often been seen as a spectacular yet uncommon event at sea but considering the vastness of the deep sea and the occurrence of luminous organisms in this zone, it is now more and more obvious that producing light at depth must play an important role in structuring the biggest ecosystem on our planet.

Bioluminescence is defined as the production of visible light by living organisms.&nbsp;This living light, also called cold light, occurs through a biochemical reaction; the oxidation of a substrate, a luciferin, by an enzyme, the luciferase, or through a stabilized complex called photoprotein.

Also see|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/surfs-up-surfers-glide-along-fluorescent-waves-in-california-296962">Surf's up! Surfers glide along fluorescent waves in California</a>

Three species of deepwater sharks&nbsp;were found&nbsp;from the Chatham Rise, an area of the ocean floor to the east of New Zealand.

This first experimental study of three luminous shark species from New Zealand provides an insight into the diversity of shark bioluminescence and highlights the need for more research to help understand these unusual deep-sea inhabitants: the glowing sharks.

The three studied shark species inhabit the mesopelagic zone. Therefore they face an environment with no place to hide, hence the need for glowing camouflage or counterillumination. The mesopelagic zone, often called the twilight zone, ranges from 200 to 1000 m depth (maximal depth of solar light penetration) and is the realm of bioluminescence.&nbsp;

At 200 m the residual solar light is considered too weak to initiate photosynthesis but organisms living there are well adapted to see in low light conditions.&nbsp;

Mesopelagic cephalopods, sharks and bony fishes have large eyes with specialized structures such as a large iris, a tapetum, huge rod density, high content of opsins (rhodopsin and chrysopsin), and an elevated integration rate at the optical nerve which allows them to perceive very low light levels down to 800 m depth.

This new type of bioluminescence-associated placoid scale needs to be highly translucent or possess specific physical characteristics to allow efficient light transmission.&nbsp;

Simultaneities of curves kinetics and pigment motions highlight the evolutive conservation of hormonally controlled pigment motion regulating luminescence.

This control is assumed to have been successfully and evolutionary co-opted from shark melanophore pigment motion control by a common ancestor of these two squaliform families.

The results of the study support evolutive conservation of light organ morphology and luminescence control.

Researchers have discovered three deep-sea sharks that glow in the dark, including one that is the largest known luminous vertebrate in a recent study. Bioluminescence has often been seen as a spectacular yet uncommon event at sea but considering the vastness of the deep sea and the occurrence of luminous organisms in this zone, it is now more and more obvious that producing light at depth must play an important role in structuring the biggest ecosystem on our planet.

Researchers have discovered three deep-sea sharks that glow in the dark, including one that is the largest known luminous vertebrate in a recent study. Bioluminescence has often been seen as a spectacular yet uncommon event at sea but considering the vastness of the deep sea and the occurrence of luminous organisms in this zone, it is now more and more obvious that producing light at depth must play an important role in structuring the biggest ecosystem on our planet. Bioluminescence is defined as the production of visible light by living organisms. This living light, also called cold light, occurs through a biochemical reaction; the oxidation of a substrate, a luciferin, by an enzyme, the luciferase, or through a stabilized complex called photoprotein. Also see| Surf's up! Surfers glide along fluorescent waves in California Three species of deepwater sharks were found from the Chatham Rise, an area of the ocean floor to the east of New Zealand. This first experimental study of three luminous shark species from New Zealand provides an insight into the diversity of shark bioluminescence and highlights the need for more research to help understand these unusual deep-sea inhabitants: the glowing sharks. The three studied shark species inhabit the mesopelagic zone. Therefore they face an environment with no place to hide, hence the need for glowing camouflage or counterillumination. The mesopelagic zone, often called the twilight zone, ranges from 200 to 1000 m depth (maximal depth of solar light penetration) and is the realm of bioluminescence. At 200 m the residual solar light is considered too weak to initiate photosynthesis but organisms living there are well adapted to see in low light conditions. Mesopelagic cephalopods, sharks and bony fishes have large eyes with specialized structures such as a large iris, a tapetum, huge rod density, high content of opsins (rhodopsin and chrysopsin), and an elevated integration rate at the optical nerve which allows them to perceive very low light levels down to 800 m depth. This new type of bioluminescence-associated placoid scale needs to be highly translucent or possess specific physical characteristics to allow efficient light transmission. Simultaneities of curves kinetics and pigment motions highlight the evolutive conservation of hormonally controlled pigment motion regulating luminescence. This control is assumed to have been successfully and evolutionary co-opted from shark melanophore pigment motion control by a common ancestor of these two squaliform families. The results of the study support evolutive conservation of light organ morphology and luminescence control.

Scientists discover three deep-sea sharks that glow in dark

Israel is&nbsp;offering a tracking bracelet as an alternative to quarantine incoming travellers. It&nbsp;reportedly monitors the wearers’ location via Bluetooth and GPS technology and connects to the users’ cell phone.

The bracelet's monitor&nbsp;will notify authorities should they violate a mandatory isolation period.

The pilot programme began on Monday with 100 tracking systems available at Ben Gurion Airport, where traffic has dropped dramatically due to restrictions meant to reduce the risk of COVID-19 variants entering the country.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-supreme-court-restricts-usage-of-coronavirus-smartphone-tracking-367206">Israel's Supreme Court restricts usage of coronavirus smartphone tracking</a>

Incoming passengers have been forced to stay at hotels, paid for by the government, for up to two weeks to make sure they are virus-free before they can move around freely.

Should someone choose the new system -- which includes a slim, lightweight and waterproof bracelet, a smartphone and a wall-mounted tracker -- they can self-isolate at home.

The system alerts the authorities if someone removes the bracelet or ventures too far from the home monitor.

SuperCom SPCB.O, the company behind the technology, said there was a potential for thousands of the bracelets to be in use.

Earlier,&nbsp;Israel's Supreme Court on Monday banned the government from unprecedented usage of mobile phone data to track carriers of coronavirus.

The court referred to the tracking measure as a grave infraction of citizens' civil liberties. 
 
The surveillance technology, created by Shin Bet counter-terrorism agency has been used by Israeli authorities intermittently since March 2020. As part of this move, carriers were able to track mobile phones nearby to ascertain who they've come into contact with.

Ever since the tracking measure began, civil rights groups had raised privacy concerns and moved the courts. In addition, lawmakers expressed doubt over the effectiveness of the contact-tracing tool.

The court, in its ruling, claimed that it feared the mobile tracking measure was slowly becoming permanent, as opposed to its introduction as a temporary emergency measure.&nbsp;

Israel is offering a tracking bracelet as an alternative to quarantine incoming travellers. It reportedly monitors the wearers’ location via Bluetooth and GPS technology and connects to the users’ cell phone.

Israel is offering a tracking bracelet as an alternative to quarantine incoming travellers. It reportedly monitors the wearers’ location via Bluetooth and GPS technology and connects to the users’ cell phone. The bracelet's monitor will notify authorities should they violate a mandatory isolation period. The pilot programme began on Monday with 100 tracking systems available at Ben Gurion Airport, where traffic has dropped dramatically due to restrictions meant to reduce the risk of COVID-19 variants entering the country. Also read | Israel's Supreme Court restricts usage of coronavirus smartphone tracking Incoming passengers have been forced to stay at hotels, paid for by the government, for up to two weeks to make sure they are virus-free before they can move around freely. Should someone choose the new system -- which includes a slim, lightweight and waterproof bracelet, a smartphone and a wall-mounted tracker -- they can self-isolate at home. The system alerts the authorities if someone removes the bracelet or ventures too far from the home monitor. SuperCom SPCB.O, the company behind the technology, said there was a potential for thousands of the bracelets to be in use. Earlier, Israel's Supreme Court on Monday banned the government from unprecedented usage of mobile phone data to track carriers of coronavirus. The court referred to the tracking measure as a grave infraction of citizens' civil liberties. The surveillance technology, created by Shin Bet counter-terrorism agency has been used by Israeli authorities intermittently since March 2020. As part of this move, carriers were able to track mobile phones nearby to ascertain who they've come into contact with. Ever since the tracking measure began, civil rights groups had raised privacy concerns and moved the courts. In addition, lawmakers expressed doubt over the effectiveness of the contact-tracing tool. The court, in its ruling, claimed that it feared the mobile tracking measure was slowly becoming permanent, as opposed to its introduction as a temporary emergency measure.

Israel offers tracking bracelet as 'alternative' to quarantine to incoming travellers

Johnson&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine has become embroiled in a controversy as the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans have labelled it as&nbsp;“morally compromised” over links to abortion cells.

The&nbsp;Archdiocese said in a statement that&nbsp;“We maintain that the decision to receive the Covid-19 vaccine remains one of individual conscience, in consultation with one's healthcare provider.”&nbsp;

“We also maintain that in no way does the church's position diminish the wrongdoing of those who decided to use cell lines from abortions to make vaccines. In doing so, we advise that if the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine is available, Catholics should choose to receive either of those vaccines rather than the new Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine because of its extensive use of abortion-derived cell lines.”

The United States had&nbsp;authorised&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Johnson's Covid vaccine for emergency use, boosting President Joe Biden's plan to battle the outbreak that has killed more than 500,000 Americans.

The single-shot vaccine -- the third type to be authorized -- is highly effective in preventing severe Covid-19, including against newer variants, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said before giving it a green light.

Earlier, the Vatican had said that it was ''morally acceptable'' for Roman Catholics to receive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19&nbsp;vaccines</a>&nbsp;based on research that used fetal tissue from abortions.

The doctrine office noted that bishops, Catholic groups, and experts have offered “diverse and sometimes conflicting pronouncements” on the matter.

Coronavirus vaccines from Johnson&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Johnson, Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc have&nbsp;some connection to cell lines that originated with tissue from abortions in the last century, according to the US&nbsp;Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which issued a separate note to American Catholics last week.

The Vatican note said the granting of moral legitimacy was related to the principle "differing degrees of responsibility of cooperation in evil."

This meant that because the pandemic is such grave danger, such vaccines "can be used in good conscience with the certain knowledge that (it) does not constitute formal cooperation with the abortion from which the cells used in the production of the vaccines derive," the note said.

Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine has become embroiled in a controversy as the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans have labelled it as “morally compromised” over links to abortion cells.

Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine has become embroiled in a controversy as the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans have labelled it as “morally compromised” over links to abortion cells. The Archdiocese said in a statement that “We maintain that the decision to receive the Covid-19 vaccine remains one of individual conscience, in consultation with one's healthcare provider.” “We also maintain that in no way does the church's position diminish the wrongdoing of those who decided to use cell lines from abortions to make vaccines. In doing so, we advise that if the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine is available, Catholics should choose to receive either of those vaccines rather than the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine because of its extensive use of abortion-derived cell lines.” The United States had authorised Johnson & Johnson's Covid vaccine for emergency use, boosting President Joe Biden's plan to battle the outbreak that has killed more than 500,000 Americans. The single-shot vaccine -- the third type to be authorized -- is highly effective in preventing severe Covid-19, including against newer variants, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said before giving it a green light. Earlier, the Vatican had said that it was ''morally acceptable'' for Roman Catholics to receive COVID-19 vaccines based on research that used fetal tissue from abortions. The doctrine office noted that bishops, Catholic groups, and experts have offered “diverse and sometimes conflicting pronouncements” on the matter. Coronavirus vaccines from Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc have some connection to cell lines that originated with tissue from abortions in the last century, according to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which issued a separate note to American Catholics last week. The Vatican note said the granting of moral legitimacy was related to the principle "differing degrees of responsibility of cooperation in evil." This meant that because the pandemic is such grave danger, such vaccines "can be used in good conscience with the certain knowledge that (it) does not constitute formal cooperation with the abortion from which the cells used in the production of the vaccines derive," the note said.

Johnson & Johnson vaccine gets embroiled in controversy over abortion cells

People in&nbsp;France&nbsp;aged over 65 with existing health problems can be given the AstraZeneca <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccine</a>,&nbsp;France's health minister said on Monday&nbsp;departing from Paris's earlier stance that the vaccine should be for under-65s only.

When the AstraZeneca vaccine was approved for use by European Union regulators,&nbsp;France&nbsp;mandated it would only go to eligible people under 65 because data from trials in older age groups was limited.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-medical-adviser-one-dose-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-should-be-70-effective-after-21-days-353573/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

France&nbsp;will retain its current measures aimed at curbing the COVID-19 pandemic, including a nighttime curfew, as a bare minimum for the next four to six weeks, Veran on Monday.

Other measures now in force include the closure of bars, restaurants and museums, and Olivier Veran said he hoped&nbsp;France&nbsp;would not have to go beyond those measures to rein in the disease.

France's COVID death toll rose by 375 to 86,803, the seventh-highest death toll globally.

This compares with a rise of 122 on Sunday and a seven-day moving average of 313. At 3.761 million,&nbsp;France's tally of COVID cases is the sixth highest on the world.

People in France aged over 65 with existing health problems can be given the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, France's health minister said on Monday departing from Paris's earlier stance that the vaccine should be for under-65s only.

People in France aged over 65 with existing health problems can be given the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, France's health minister said on Monday departing from Paris's earlier stance that the vaccine should be for under-65s only. When the AstraZeneca vaccine was approved for use by European Union regulators, France mandated it would only go to eligible people under 65 because data from trials in older age groups was limited. France will retain its current measures aimed at curbing the COVID-19 pandemic, including a nighttime curfew, as a bare minimum for the next four to six weeks, Veran on Monday. Other measures now in force include the closure of bars, restaurants and museums, and Olivier Veran said he hoped France would not have to go beyond those measures to rein in the disease. France's COVID death toll rose by 375 to 86,803, the seventh-highest death toll globally. This compares with a rise of 122 on Sunday and a seven-day moving average of 313. At 3.761 million, France's tally of COVID cases is the sixth highest on the world.

France lifts restrictions on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for over -65s

Armenia's embattled Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told thousands of rallying supporters on Monday that he was ready to hold early elections to bring the country out of a political crisis.

Facing fire for his handling of last year's disastrous war with Azerbaijan, Pashinyan filled Yerevan's central Republic Square with more than 20,000 supporters, as government opponents demonstrated outside parliament to demand his resignation.

The rival rallies came with Pashinyan under increasing pressure for his handling of the war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, which saw Armenia suffer heavy losses and agree to hand over swathes of territory to Azerbaijan.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/armenian-protesters-enter-government-building-to-demand-pms-resignation-report-367152" hreflang="en">Armenian protesters enter government building to demand PM's resignation: Report</a>

The political uncertainty is threatening to set off a chaotic power struggle in Armenia, an impoverished ex-Soviet republic on the borders of Turkey and Iran.

"If the parliamentary opposition agrees to early elections, we will agree to early elections," Pashinyan told the flag-waving crowd.

"Let's go to the polls and see whose resignation the people are demanding," said Pashinyan, who swept to power after spearheading peaceful protests in 2018.

He admitted to making mistakes and asked for forgiveness, but denounced those he said were trying to undermine the country's democracy.

"Only the people can decide who will remain in power," said Pashinyan, adding that old rivals are trying to undermine his government.

Pashinyan, in power since 2018 in the ex-Soviet republic of less than 3 million people, is facing a crisis after the army last week demanded he step down, prompting him to decry a coup attempt and sack the army's top general.

The president, however, refused to sign off on the general's removal on Saturday, declaring it unconstitutional.

Pashinyan has sent back his decree demanding the general's dismissal to the president's office.

The country's Security Council on Monday urged President Armen Sarkissian to approve the sacking, the Interfax news agency reported. RIA reported that Pashinyan also met Sarkissian on Monday.

Pashinyan has faced calls to resign since last November when he agreed to a Russian-brokered ceasefire that halted six weeks of fighting between ethnic&nbsp;Armenian and Azeri forces over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

His critics accuse him of bungling the conflict in which Azerbaijan made territorial gains in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but populated and until recently fully controlled by ethnic&nbsp;Armenians.

Pashinyan has accepted responsibility for the conflict's outcome but rejected calls to resign.

Armenia's embattled Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told thousands of rallying supporters on Monday that he was ready to hold early elections to bring the country out of a political crisis.

Armenia's embattled Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told thousands of rallying supporters on Monday that he was ready to hold early elections to bring the country out of a political crisis. Facing fire for his handling of last year's disastrous war with Azerbaijan, Pashinyan filled Yerevan's central Republic Square with more than 20,000 supporters, as government opponents demonstrated outside parliament to demand his resignation. The rival rallies came with Pashinyan under increasing pressure for his handling of the war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, which saw Armenia suffer heavy losses and agree to hand over swathes of territory to Azerbaijan. Also read| Armenian protesters enter government building to demand PM's resignation: Report The political uncertainty is threatening to set off a chaotic power struggle in Armenia, an impoverished ex-Soviet republic on the borders of Turkey and Iran. "If the parliamentary opposition agrees to early elections, we will agree to early elections," Pashinyan told the flag-waving crowd. "Let's go to the polls and see whose resignation the people are demanding," said Pashinyan, who swept to power after spearheading peaceful protests in 2018. He admitted to making mistakes and asked for forgiveness, but denounced those he said were trying to undermine the country's democracy. "Only the people can decide who will remain in power," said Pashinyan, adding that old rivals are trying to undermine his government. Pashinyan, in power since 2018 in the ex-Soviet republic of less than 3 million people, is facing a crisis after the army last week demanded he step down, prompting him to decry a coup attempt and sack the army's top general. The president, however, refused to sign off on the general's removal on Saturday, declaring it unconstitutional. Pashinyan has sent back his decree demanding the general's dismissal to the president's office. The country's Security Council on Monday urged President Armen Sarkissian to approve the sacking, the Interfax news agency reported. RIA reported that Pashinyan also met Sarkissian on Monday. Pashinyan has faced calls to resign since last November when he agreed to a Russian-brokered ceasefire that halted six weeks of fighting between ethnic Armenian and Azeri forces over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. His critics accuse him of bungling the conflict in which Azerbaijan made territorial gains in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but populated and until recently fully controlled by ethnic Armenians. Pashinyan has accepted responsibility for the conflict's outcome but rejected calls to resign.

Armenia Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says ready for early elections to end crisis

Former President Donald Trump has offered a withering critique of his Democratic successor Joe Biden's&nbsp;first weeks in office.

Last week, the Biden administration offered talks with Iran led by European allies as it seeks to salvage a 2015 nuclear deal, left on the brink of collapse after Biden's predecessor Donald Trump withdrew from it.

But the new administration has also made clear it would not brook "malign activities" by Iran.

Also read|&nbsp;'<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/be-prepared-biden-to-iran-after-us-airstrike-in-syria-366552">Be prepared': Biden to Iran after US airstrike in Syria</a>

President Joe Biden has said&nbsp;Iran cannot act with&nbsp;impunity&nbsp;and warned Iran to "be careful" when asked what message he was sending the country with the US&nbsp;airstrikes in Syria.

The United States carried out airstrikes authorized by Biden against facilities belonging to Iranian-backed militia in eastern Syria on Thursday, in response to rocket attacks against US&nbsp;targets in Iraq.

The vehicle-carrier MV Helios Ray was hit between Thursday night and Friday morning by a blast above the water line that a US official said ripped holes in both sides of its hull. An Israeli official said limpet mines were used.

President Joe Biden has said Washington is ready for talks about both nations resuming compliance with the pact, under which Tehran secured an easing of sanctions by limiting its nuclear work. But each side wants the other to move first.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-insists-us-lift-sanctions-first-to-revive-nuclear-deal-talks-367202">Iran insists US lift sanctions first to revive nuclear deal talks</a>

The West fears&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;wants to build nuclear weapons, while Tehran says that has never been its goal.

Washington said on Sunday it was disappointed by Tehran's refusal to hold talks but was ready to "re-engage in meaningful diplomacy" and would consult with major powers.

Washington also accuses Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards of disrupting maritime traffic in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which a fifth of world oil output passes.

The Strait of Hormuz was the focus of the US general's visit to Oman, officially intended to make contact with the country's new chief of staff, Rear Admiral Abdallah Ben Khamis al-Raissi.

What's stopping Iran from engaging in talks?

Iran is believed to be searching for an opportunity to avenge the US assassination of top general Qasem&nbsp;Soleimani&nbsp;one year ago.

Soleimani, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander, was Iran's key liaison to its allies in Iraq and Syria, and elsewhere in the region.

He was killed in a US drone strike just as he arrived in Baghdad for meetings with top Iraqi officials.

Tensions have risen in the Gulf region since the United States reimposed sanctions on&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;in 2018 after then-president Donald Trump withdrew Washington from a 2015 nuclear deal between&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and major powers.

Iran has said&nbsp;the United States should lift sanctions first if it wants to hold talks with Tehran to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that former President Donald Trump abandoned.

"We have not had any bilateral discussions with the United States and there will be no change in&nbsp;Iran's stance if the United States does not change course from the wrong path it has taken,"&nbsp;Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

"We are close to two months since the Biden administration took office, and until this moment in time, the Biden administration has not said a word about returning to the commitments agreed by the United States under the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action),"&nbsp;Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

Khatibzadeh also denied&nbsp;Iran's involvement in an explosion aboard an Israeli-owned ship in the Gulf of Oman last week, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed it for the incident on Monday on Israel's Kan radio in a pre-recorded interview on Sunday night.

Former President Donald Trump has offered a withering critique of his Democratic successor Joe Biden's first weeks in office. Last week, the Biden administration offered talks with Iran led by European allies as it seeks to salvage a 2015 nuclear deal, left on the brink of collapse after Biden's predecessor Donald Trump withdrew from it.

Former President Donald Trump has offered a withering critique of his Democratic successor Joe Biden's first weeks in office. Last week, the Biden administration offered talks with Iran led by European allies as it seeks to salvage a 2015 nuclear deal, left on the brink of collapse after Biden's predecessor Donald Trump withdrew from it. But the new administration has also made clear it would not brook "malign activities" by Iran. Also read| 'Be prepared': Biden to Iran after US airstrike in Syria President Joe Biden has said Iran cannot act with impunity and warned Iran to "be careful" when asked what message he was sending the country with the US airstrikes in Syria. The United States carried out airstrikes authorized by Biden against facilities belonging to Iranian-backed militia in eastern Syria on Thursday, in response to rocket attacks against US targets in Iraq. The vehicle-carrier MV Helios Ray was hit between Thursday night and Friday morning by a blast above the water line that a US official said ripped holes in both sides of its hull. An Israeli official said limpet mines were used. President Joe Biden has said Washington is ready for talks about both nations resuming compliance with the pact, under which Tehran secured an easing of sanctions by limiting its nuclear work. But each side wants the other to move first. Also read: Iran insists US lift sanctions first to revive nuclear deal talks The West fears Iran wants to build nuclear weapons, while Tehran says that has never been its goal. Washington said on Sunday it was disappointed by Tehran's refusal to hold talks but was ready to "re-engage in meaningful diplomacy" and would consult with major powers. Washington also accuses Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards of disrupting maritime traffic in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which a fifth of world oil output passes. The Strait of Hormuz was the focus of the US general's visit to Oman, officially intended to make contact with the country's new chief of staff, Rear Admiral Abdallah Ben Khamis al-Raissi. What's stopping Iran from engaging in talks? Iran is believed to be searching for an opportunity to avenge the US assassination of top general Qasem Soleimani one year ago. Soleimani, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander, was Iran's key liaison to its allies in Iraq and Syria, and elsewhere in the region. He was killed in a US drone strike just as he arrived in Baghdad for meetings with top Iraqi officials. Tensions have risen in the Gulf region since the United States reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018 after then-president Donald Trump withdrew Washington from a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers. Iran has said the United States should lift sanctions first if it wants to hold talks with Tehran to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that former President Donald Trump abandoned. "We have not had any bilateral discussions with the United States and there will be no change in Iran's stance if the United States does not change course from the wrong path it has taken," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said. "We are close to two months since the Biden administration took office, and until this moment in time, the Biden administration has not said a word about returning to the commitments agreed by the United States under the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action)," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said. Khatibzadeh also denied Iran's involvement in an explosion aboard an Israeli-owned ship in the Gulf of Oman last week, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed it for the incident on Monday on Israel's Kan radio in a pre-recorded interview on Sunday night.

Why Iran is ruling out talks with US

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Monday summoned a session of the House of Representatives on March 7, days after the apex court reinstated the lower house in a landmark verdict that annulled embattled Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's "unconstitutional" decision to dissolve it.

President Bhandari called for the commencement of House on the recommendation of Government of Nepal, in accordance with Article 93 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal, according to a notice issued by the President's Office on Monday.

As per the notice, the 275-member lower house will begin at 4:00 pm on the slated date.

The presidential order to summon the House meeting follows the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Prime Minister Oli's move to dissolve the House on December 20.

A five-member constitutional bench led by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher last week annulled the Oli government's "unconstitutional" decision to dissolve the lower house of Parliament.

The court had ordered the government to summon the House session within the next 13 days.

Nepal plunged into a political crisis on December 20 after President Bhandari dissolved the House and announced fresh elections on April 30 and May 10 at the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli, amidst a tussle for power within the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP).

Oli's move to dissolve the House sparked protests from a large section of the NCP led by his rival Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', also a co-chair of the ruling party. 
As many as 13 writ petitions including the one by the ruling party's Chief Whip Dev Prasad Gurung were filed in the apex court seeking the restoration of the lower house parliament.

In its ruling, the apex court termed the dissolution of the House as "unconstitutional".

The ruling party suffered a vertical split following Oli's decision to dissolve the lower house.

Prime Minister Oli on Sunday challenged the splinter faction led by 'Prachanda' to remove him from the top post if he can.

"Remove me if you can. If I am ousted, I'll emerge victorious with a two-thirds majority in the next election," 69-year-old Oli said.

Prachanda has been making efforts to garner support from the opposition Nepali Congress and Janata Samajbadi parties in an apparent bid to oust Oli from power.

Oli's Press Advisor Surya Thapa last week said the prime minister will not resign immediately and implement the Supreme Court's verdict against him by facing Parliament. 
Oli is under pressure to step down following the court verdict.

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Monday summoned a session of the House of Representatives on March 7, days after the apex court reinstated the lower house in a landmark verdict that annulled embattled Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's "unconstitutional" decision to dissolve it.

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Monday summoned a session of the House of Representatives on March 7, days after the apex court reinstated the lower house in a landmark verdict that annulled embattled Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's "unconstitutional" decision to dissolve it. President Bhandari called for the commencement of House on the recommendation of Government of Nepal, in accordance with Article 93 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal, according to a notice issued by the President's Office on Monday. As per the notice, the 275-member lower house will begin at 4:00 pm on the slated date. The presidential order to summon the House meeting follows the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Prime Minister Oli's move to dissolve the House on December 20. A five-member constitutional bench led by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher last week annulled the Oli government's "unconstitutional" decision to dissolve the lower house of Parliament. The court had ordered the government to summon the House session within the next 13 days. Nepal plunged into a political crisis on December 20 after President Bhandari dissolved the House and announced fresh elections on April 30 and May 10 at the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli, amidst a tussle for power within the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP). Oli's move to dissolve the House sparked protests from a large section of the NCP led by his rival Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', also a co-chair of the ruling party. As many as 13 writ petitions including the one by the ruling party's Chief Whip Dev Prasad Gurung were filed in the apex court seeking the restoration of the lower house parliament. In its ruling, the apex court termed the dissolution of the House as "unconstitutional". The ruling party suffered a vertical split following Oli's decision to dissolve the lower house. Prime Minister Oli on Sunday challenged the splinter faction led by 'Prachanda' to remove him from the top post if he can. "Remove me if you can. If I am ousted, I'll emerge victorious with a two-thirds majority in the next election," 69-year-old Oli said. Prachanda has been making efforts to garner support from the opposition Nepali Congress and Janata Samajbadi parties in an apparent bid to oust Oli from power. Oli's Press Advisor Surya Thapa last week said the prime minister will not resign immediately and implement the Supreme Court's verdict against him by facing Parliament. Oli is under pressure to step down following the court verdict.

Nepal President summons lower house session on March 7

Russia's communications regulator accused Twitter on Monday of violating the country's&nbsp;law, saying the social media platform had not complied with some of its requests to delete banned content.

Roskomnadzor said Twitter had failed to delete 2,862 posts containing material linked to suicide, pornography and drugs since 2017. It could be fined heavily if found guilty of repeatedly failing to delete content deemed illegal under Russian law, it said.

The platform is used extensively by Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and his allies to criticise the authorities and announce new protests.

Twitter, which declined to comment, has been fined in the past for breaching Russia's data laws, but the penalties have been relatively small. A Moscow court last year fined Twitter 4 million roubles ($54,000) for failing to comply with Russian data law after the platform refused to locate its server holding data about Russian citizens on Russian territory.

Russia in recent months has taken steps to exert more influence over foreign social media platforms.

Bills passed by the lower house of parliament in December last year allowed Russia to impose large fines on platforms that do not delete banned content and even to restrict access to U.S. social media giants if they "discriminate" against Russian media.

The foreign ministry has also accused Facebook and other US&nbsp;platforms of failing to identify fake posts related to unauthorized protests in support of Navalny, where police detained thousands of demonstrators nationwide.

In January, President Vladimir Putin queried what he described as the growing clout of US&nbsp;social media giants and said their influence meant they now competed with governments.

Russia's communications regulator accused Twitter on Monday of violating the country's law, saying the social media platform had not complied with some of its requests to delete banned content.

Russia's communications regulator accused Twitter on Monday of violating the country's law, saying the social media platform had not complied with some of its requests to delete banned content. Roskomnadzor said Twitter had failed to delete 2,862 posts containing material linked to suicide, pornography and drugs since 2017. It could be fined heavily if found guilty of repeatedly failing to delete content deemed illegal under Russian law, it said. The platform is used extensively by Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and his allies to criticise the authorities and announce new protests. Twitter, which declined to comment, has been fined in the past for breaching Russia's data laws, but the penalties have been relatively small. A Moscow court last year fined Twitter 4 million roubles ($54,000) for failing to comply with Russian data law after the platform refused to locate its server holding data about Russian citizens on Russian territory. Russia in recent months has taken steps to exert more influence over foreign social media platforms. Bills passed by the lower house of parliament in December last year allowed Russia to impose large fines on platforms that do not delete banned content and even to restrict access to U.S. social media giants if they "discriminate" against Russian media. The foreign ministry has also accused Facebook and other US platforms of failing to identify fake posts related to unauthorized protests in support of Navalny, where police detained thousands of demonstrators nationwide. In January, President Vladimir Putin queried what he described as the growing clout of US social media giants and said their influence meant they now competed with governments.

Russia accuses Twitter of breaking law by failing to delete content

Pakistan’s top court on Monday ruled that the Senate elections on Wednesday would be held through a secret ballot, amid a raging controversy among the government and Opposition parties about allowing an open vote to avoid corruption.

The five-member bench of the Supreme Court issued the 4-1 verdict on the presidential reference filed in December last year about holding the election of the upper house through an open ballot to avoid use of money in the polls.

The court stated that elections of the upper house of Parliament are held under the article 226 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which upholds the secrecy of ballot.

The apex court has directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to use latest technologies to stop corrupt practices and said that all institutions should assist ECP in holding the elections.

“It is the responsibility of the ECP to endure transparency of the elections,” the court ruled.

The court on Thursday reserved its opinion over the presidential reference on mode of balloting in the Senate election.

The five-member larger bench was headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed.

The federal government had filed the presidential reference seeking opinion as to whether the Senate elections will be held under Article 226 of the Constitution or under the Election Act 2017.

The government has already promulgated a presidential ordinance, allowing open ballot in the Senate elections, but its enforcement was linked to the opinion of the Supreme Court and it would now become null and void.

The elections of senate are scheduled to be held on March 3 and tough competition expected between the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf led by Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Opposition parties.

A total of 52 senators in the 104-member upper house will retire on March 11 on completion of their six-year term. They will also include four of the eight senators from the erstwhile Federally Adminis­tered Tribal Areas (FATA). Since the areas have been merged with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, they will not be reelected and the Senate strength will shrink to 100.

The election for the Senate will be held as the country is torn apart by differences between the government and the Opposition whether to allow open ballot paper to avoid use of money.

The problem stems from the system of election as senators are elected by the respective provincial assemblies on the basis of proportional representation. For example, in Balochistan a candidate may need just seven votes to become a senator.

A few days back, a video surfaced showing some members of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly allegedly being bribed to vote against their Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party in 2018 elections. Then PTI chief Khan had expelled about 20 lawmakers for voting against the party line.

Pakistan’s top court on Monday ruled that the Senate elections on Wednesday would be held through a secret ballot, amid a raging controversy among the government and Opposition parties about allowing an open vote to avoid corruption.

Pakistan’s top court on Monday ruled that the Senate elections on Wednesday would be held through a secret ballot, amid a raging controversy among the government and Opposition parties about allowing an open vote to avoid corruption. The five-member bench of the Supreme Court issued the 4-1 verdict on the presidential reference filed in December last year about holding the election of the upper house through an open ballot to avoid use of money in the polls. The court stated that elections of the upper house of Parliament are held under the article 226 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which upholds the secrecy of ballot. The apex court has directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to use latest technologies to stop corrupt practices and said that all institutions should assist ECP in holding the elections. “It is the responsibility of the ECP to endure transparency of the elections,” the court ruled. The court on Thursday reserved its opinion over the presidential reference on mode of balloting in the Senate election. The five-member larger bench was headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed. The federal government had filed the presidential reference seeking opinion as to whether the Senate elections will be held under Article 226 of the Constitution or under the Election Act 2017. The government has already promulgated a presidential ordinance, allowing open ballot in the Senate elections, but its enforcement was linked to the opinion of the Supreme Court and it would now become null and void. The elections of senate are scheduled to be held on March 3 and tough competition expected between the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf led by Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Opposition parties. A total of 52 senators in the 104-member upper house will retire on March 11 on completion of their six-year term. They will also include four of the eight senators from the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Since the areas have been merged with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, they will not be reelected and the Senate strength will shrink to 100. The election for the Senate will be held as the country is torn apart by differences between the government and the Opposition whether to allow open ballot paper to avoid use of money. The problem stems from the system of election as senators are elected by the respective provincial assemblies on the basis of proportional representation. For example, in Balochistan a candidate may need just seven votes to become a senator. A few days back, a video surfaced showing some members of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly allegedly being bribed to vote against their Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party in 2018 elections. Then PTI chief Khan had expelled about 20 lawmakers for voting against the party line.

Pak Senate elections to be held through secret ballot: Top court

Iran on Monday insisted that the United States should&nbsp;lift sanctions first to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that former President Donald Trump abandoned.

President Joe Biden has said Washington is ready for talks about both nations resuming compliance with the pact, under which Tehran secured an easing of sanctions by limiting its nuclear work. But each side wants the other to move first.

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The West fears&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;wants to build nuclear weapons, while Tehran says that has never been its goal.

"President Joe Biden's administration should change Trump's maximum pressure policy towards Tehran ... If they want talks with&nbsp;Iran, first they should lift sanctions," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

Washington said on Sunday it was disappointed by Tehran's refusal to hold talks but was ready to "re-engage in meaningful diplomacy" and would consult with major powers.

While&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;has been demanding the lifting of US&nbsp;sanctions first, Washington says Tehran must return to compliance with the deal, which&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;has been progressively breaching since 2019.

"The new US administration's refusal to return to the deal is a historic mistake," Khatibzadeh said, saying Tehran would continue to work with the U.N. nuclear watchdog despite scaling back cooperation.

Iran's foreign minister urged the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) 35-nation Board of Governors not to "create a mess" by endorsing a US-led push to adopt a resolution against Tehran's decision to scale back its cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

"Europeans, with the backing of the United States, have initiated a wrong path in the IAEA's board ... we believe this move will lead to a mess,"&nbsp;Iranian media quoted Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying on Monday. "We have solutions for all scenarios."

The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog appealed Monday for its inspection work in Iran not to become a "bargaining chip" as world powers mull negotiations to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/striking-throughout-the-region-israel-pm-netanyahu-blames-iran-for-vessel-blast-in-gulf-of-oman-367110" hreflang="en">'Striking throughout the region': Israel PM Netanyahu blames Iran for vessel blast in Gulf of Oman</a>

"The inspection work of the IAEA must be preserved... (it) should not be put in the middle of a negotiating table as a bargaining chip," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi told a press conference at the start of the agency's quarterly meeting of its board of governors.

On February 23, Iran suspended some IAEA inspections in response to the US refusal so far to lift sanctions imposed by former President Donald Trump.

Grossi described the suspension of those inspections as a "huge loss", but when asked if the agency could still reassure the international community that the Iranian nuclear programme was exclusively peaceful, he replied: "So far, so good."

Grossi said the IAEA would continue to have the means to verify the amount of uranium enriched by Iran.

On February 21 Grossi announced after two days of talks with Iranian officials in Tehran that Iran and the IAEA had struck an interim three-month deal to mitigate the impact of the suspended inspections.

Recordings from monitoring equipment the IAEA installed at Iran's nuclear sites will be kept by Iran for three months and provided to the IAEA if US sanctions are lifted.

European states are considering putting forward a resolution at this week's meeting condemning Iran's decision to suspend some inspections.

Iran has said that the introduction of such a resolution would push it to abandon the temporary agreement with the IAEA.

Grossi refused to be drawn on the utility of a critical resolution.

"My appeal to all is to have constructive discussions and to preserve the work of the agency," Grossi said.

Iran on Monday insisted that the United States should lift sanctions first to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that former President Donald Trump abandoned.

Iran on Monday insisted that the United States should lift sanctions first to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that former President Donald Trump abandoned. President Joe Biden has said Washington is ready for talks about both nations resuming compliance with the pact, under which Tehran secured an easing of sanctions by limiting its nuclear work. But each side wants the other to move first. The West fears Iran wants to build nuclear weapons, while Tehran says that has never been its goal. "President Joe Biden's administration should change Trump's maximum pressure policy towards Tehran ... If they want talks with Iran, first they should lift sanctions," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said. Washington said on Sunday it was disappointed by Tehran's refusal to hold talks but was ready to "re-engage in meaningful diplomacy" and would consult with major powers. While Iran has been demanding the lifting of US sanctions first, Washington says Tehran must return to compliance with the deal, which Iran has been progressively breaching since 2019. "The new US administration's refusal to return to the deal is a historic mistake," Khatibzadeh said, saying Tehran would continue to work with the U.N. nuclear watchdog despite scaling back cooperation. Iran's foreign minister urged the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) 35-nation Board of Governors not to "create a mess" by endorsing a US-led push to adopt a resolution against Tehran's decision to scale back its cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog. "Europeans, with the backing of the United States, have initiated a wrong path in the IAEA's board ... we believe this move will lead to a mess," Iranian media quoted Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying on Monday. "We have solutions for all scenarios." The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog appealed Monday for its inspection work in Iran not to become a "bargaining chip" as world powers mull negotiations to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Also read: 'Striking throughout the region': Israel PM Netanyahu blames Iran for vessel blast in Gulf of Oman "The inspection work of the IAEA must be preserved... (it) should not be put in the middle of a negotiating table as a bargaining chip," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi told a press conference at the start of the agency's quarterly meeting of its board of governors. On February 23, Iran suspended some IAEA inspections in response to the US refusal so far to lift sanctions imposed by former President Donald Trump. Grossi described the suspension of those inspections as a "huge loss", but when asked if the agency could still reassure the international community that the Iranian nuclear programme was exclusively peaceful, he replied: "So far, so good." Grossi said the IAEA would continue to have the means to verify the amount of uranium enriched by Iran. On February 21 Grossi announced after two days of talks with Iranian officials in Tehran that Iran and the IAEA had struck an interim three-month deal to mitigate the impact of the suspended inspections. Recordings from monitoring equipment the IAEA installed at Iran's nuclear sites will be kept by Iran for three months and provided to the IAEA if US sanctions are lifted. European states are considering putting forward a resolution at this week's meeting condemning Iran's decision to suspend some inspections. Iran has said that the introduction of such a resolution would push it to abandon the temporary agreement with the IAEA. Grossi refused to be drawn on the utility of a critical resolution. "My appeal to all is to have constructive discussions and to preserve the work of the agency," Grossi said.

Iran insists US lift sanctions first to revive nuclear deal talks

Health officials in Britain have identified six cases of a highly contagious coronavirus strain first identified in the Brazilian city of Manaus, including one in a person who has not been traced.

Three of the cases of the variant are in Scotland and two in southwest England. The sixth individual has not been identified because they did not correctly fill in a form with their contact details. Public Health England said it was working to find the person and is conducting local mass testing to see whether the variant has spread in the community

"If you've had a test on the 12th or 13th of February, (and) haven't had your results back, please get in touch," vaccination minister Nadhim Zahawi told Times Radio. "We are working with the postal system to try and locate them."

The P.1 variant includes mutations similar to those found in a variant first detected in South Africa known as B.1.351, which has raised similar concerns.

Adam Finn, a member of the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, told the BBC: "The evidence we have suggests that certainly the South African variant and potentially this&nbsp;Brazilian variant, which is somewhat similar - the vaccines we have at the moment are less effective at reducing at least mild disease and possibly transmission.

"We are optimistic that the vaccines will continue to prevent severe disease, but the evidence for that is still fairly limited."

One of the cases in the household in South Gloucestershire had flown from Sao Paulo in&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;via Zurich to London, arriving on February&nbsp;10. Public health officials said they were following up with all passengers.

All three of the Scottish cases were identified as people who had flown from&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;to Aberdeen via Paris and London who self-isolated for the required period of 10 days.

By Sunday, over 20 million people in Britain had been given a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine - just over 30 per cent&nbsp;of the population, while around 800,000 had had a second dose.

Manufacturers are working on measures to adapt their vaccines to mutations of the virus.

Scientists say the variant is more transmissible and may be more resistant to existing vaccines than the original virus, and may be able to infect people who have previously had COVID-19.

Direct flights from Brazil to the UK have been halted, but the newly identified cases have been linked to people who came to the UK from Brazil through other European cities in early February.

The arrivals came days before the UK imposed a 10-day hotel quarantine on people arriving from high-risk countries, including Brazil.

Health officials in Britain have identified six cases of a highly contagious coronavirus strain first identified in the Brazilian city of Manaus, including one in a person who has not been traced.

Health officials in Britain have identified six cases of a highly contagious coronavirus strain first identified in the Brazilian city of Manaus, including one in a person who has not been traced. Three of the cases of the variant are in Scotland and two in southwest England. The sixth individual has not been identified because they did not correctly fill in a form with their contact details. Public Health England said it was working to find the person and is conducting local mass testing to see whether the variant has spread in the community "If you've had a test on the 12th or 13th of February, (and) haven't had your results back, please get in touch," vaccination minister Nadhim Zahawi told Times Radio. "We are working with the postal system to try and locate them." The P.1 variant includes mutations similar to those found in a variant first detected in South Africa known as B.1.351, which has raised similar concerns. Adam Finn, a member of the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, told the BBC: "The evidence we have suggests that certainly the South African variant and potentially this Brazilian variant, which is somewhat similar - the vaccines we have at the moment are less effective at reducing at least mild disease and possibly transmission. "We are optimistic that the vaccines will continue to prevent severe disease, but the evidence for that is still fairly limited." One of the cases in the household in South Gloucestershire had flown from Sao Paulo in Brazil via Zurich to London, arriving on February 10. Public health officials said they were following up with all passengers. All three of the Scottish cases were identified as people who had flown from Brazil to Aberdeen via Paris and London who self-isolated for the required period of 10 days. By Sunday, over 20 million people in Britain had been given a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine - just over 30 per cent of the population, while around 800,000 had had a second dose. Manufacturers are working on measures to adapt their vaccines to mutations of the virus. Scientists say the variant is more transmissible and may be more resistant to existing vaccines than the original virus, and may be able to infect people who have previously had COVID-19. Direct flights from Brazil to the UK have been halted, but the newly identified cases have been linked to people who came to the UK from Brazil through other European cities in early February. The arrivals came days before the UK imposed a 10-day hotel quarantine on people arriving from high-risk countries, including Brazil.

UK detects six cases of highly contagious Brazilian coronavirus variant

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