America & Britain have deployed additional troops to oversee the evacuation of their nationals from Afghanistan. Has the West given up on preventing a Taliban takeover? Are they now focused on abandoning the ship? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Afghans suffer for America's mistakes

In Britain's Plymouth, six people have been reported dead in a mass shooting. The suspected gunman has also died in the incident. Watch this report to know more.

News Alert: 6 dead including suspect after mass shooting in Britain's Plymouth

A British man suspected of spying for&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;in exchange for cash has&nbsp;been&nbsp;arrested&nbsp;in Germany, prosecutors said Wednesday, in a highly unusual case compared to a Cold War thriller.

Germany has&nbsp;arrested&nbsp;a number of people in recent years accused of spying for&nbsp;Russia, but the capture of a citizen of a NATO ally is exceedingly rare.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Berlin was taking the case "extraordinarily seriously" as the "selection by an intelligence service of a close alliance partner is absolutely unacceptable".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-arrests-russian-scientist-over-spying-for-moscow-392942">Germany arrests Russian scientist over ‘spying’ for Moscow</a>

The suspect identified only as David S., who worked as local staff at the British embassy, "on at least one occasion passed on documents he acquired as part of his professional activities to a representative of Russian intelligence".&nbsp;

"The accused received a cash payment in an unspecified amount in return," the federal prosecutor's office said in a statement.

It said David S. was detained Tuesday in the eastern city of Potsdam on an arrest warrant issued on August 4. His home and place of work were searched and he was&nbsp;remanded in custody Wednesday by an investigating judge.

The suspect was believed to have&nbsp;been&nbsp;spying since November 2020 "at the latest".&nbsp;

His arrest was the result of a joint operation by German and British authorities. The British foreign office confirmed the arrest of someone "contracted to work for the government" but declined to comment further.

The Metropolitan Police in London said the suspect was a 57-year-old British national and that the investigation was conducted by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command and German counterparts.

It said his alleged offences were related to being engaged in "Intelligence Agent activity" under German law and that the German authorities would retain primacy over the probe.

Like Le Carre&nbsp;

Maas said Germany stood in "full solidarity" with Britain and would provide any assistance necessary to aid the prosecutors' probe.

Security specialist Edward Lucas likened the arrest to an early spy novel by the British writer John le Carre.

"The fact that the arrest has&nbsp;been&nbsp;made in Berlin suggests it's a non-diplomatic member of the embassy, that's why the German judicial system has&nbsp;been&nbsp;brought to bear on it," he told Times Radio.

Lucas, who formerly covered eastern and central European affairs for The Economist, said the arrest was "a reminder of how much effort the Russians put in to trying to find out what Western alliances are up to".

In June, German police&nbsp;arrested&nbsp;a Russian scientist at a German university accused of working for the Russian secret service since October 2020 at the latest.

And German prosecutors in February filed espionage charges against a German man suspected of having passed the floor plans of parliament to Russian secret services in 2017.

Moscow is at loggerheads with a number of Western capitals following a Russian troop build-up on Ukraine's borders and a series of espionage scandals.

In June, Italy said it had created a national cybersecurity agency following warnings by Prime Minister Mario Draghi that Europe needs to protect itself from Russian "interference".

The move came after an Italian navy captain was caught red-handed by police selling confidential military documents to a Russian embassy official.

&nbsp;Tit-for-tat expulsions

The leaders of nine eastern European nations in May condemned what they termed Russian "aggressive acts", citing operations in Ukraine and&nbsp;"sabotage" allegedly targeted at the Czech Republic.

Several central and eastern European countries expelled Russian diplomats in solidarity with Prague, but&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;has branded accusations of its involvement as "absurd" and responded with tit-for-tat expulsions.

The latest espionage case also comes at a time of highly strained relations between&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and Germany on a number of fronts, including the ongoing detention of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who received treatment in Berlin after near-fatal poisoning.

Relations between London and Moscow have&nbsp;been&nbsp;at a low point since the attempted poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in British Salisbury in 2018.

The Kremlin has denied any involvement in either case.

A British man suspected of spying for Russia in exchange for cash has been arrested in Germany, prosecutors said Wednesday, in a highly unusual case compared to a Cold War thriller.

A British man suspected of spying for Russia in exchange for cash has been arrested in Germany, prosecutors said Wednesday, in a highly unusual case compared to a Cold War thriller. Germany has arrested a number of people in recent years accused of spying for Russia, but the capture of a citizen of a NATO ally is exceedingly rare. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Berlin was taking the case "extraordinarily seriously" as the "selection by an intelligence service of a close alliance partner is absolutely unacceptable". Also read | Germany arrests Russian scientist over ‘spying’ for Moscow The suspect identified only as David S., who worked as local staff at the British embassy, "on at least one occasion passed on documents he acquired as part of his professional activities to a representative of Russian intelligence". "The accused received a cash payment in an unspecified amount in return," the federal prosecutor's office said in a statement. It said David S. was detained Tuesday in the eastern city of Potsdam on an arrest warrant issued on August 4. His home and place of work were searched and he was remanded in custody Wednesday by an investigating judge. The suspect was believed to have been spying since November 2020 "at the latest". His arrest was the result of a joint operation by German and British authorities. The British foreign office confirmed the arrest of someone "contracted to work for the government" but declined to comment further. The Metropolitan Police in London said the suspect was a 57-year-old British national and that the investigation was conducted by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command and German counterparts. It said his alleged offences were related to being engaged in "Intelligence Agent activity" under German law and that the German authorities would retain primacy over the probe. Like Le Carre Maas said Germany stood in "full solidarity" with Britain and would provide any assistance necessary to aid the prosecutors' probe. Security specialist Edward Lucas likened the arrest to an early spy novel by the British writer John le Carre. "The fact that the arrest has been made in Berlin suggests it's a non-diplomatic member of the embassy, that's why the German judicial system has been brought to bear on it," he told Times Radio. Lucas, who formerly covered eastern and central European affairs for The Economist, said the arrest was "a reminder of how much effort the Russians put in to trying to find out what Western alliances are up to". In June, German police arrested a Russian scientist at a German university accused of working for the Russian secret service since October 2020 at the latest. And German prosecutors in February filed espionage charges against a German man suspected of having passed the floor plans of parliament to Russian secret services in 2017. Moscow is at loggerheads with a number of Western capitals following a Russian troop build-up on Ukraine's borders and a series of espionage scandals. In June, Italy said it had created a national cybersecurity agency following warnings by Prime Minister Mario Draghi that Europe needs to protect itself from Russian "interference". The move came after an Italian navy captain was caught red-handed by police selling confidential military documents to a Russian embassy official. Tit-for-tat expulsions The leaders of nine eastern European nations in May condemned what they termed Russian "aggressive acts", citing operations in Ukraine and "sabotage" allegedly targeted at the Czech Republic. Several central and eastern European countries expelled Russian diplomats in solidarity with Prague, but Russia has branded accusations of its involvement as "absurd" and responded with tit-for-tat expulsions. The latest espionage case also comes at a time of highly strained relations between Russia and Germany on a number of fronts, including the ongoing detention of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who received treatment in Berlin after near-fatal poisoning. Relations between London and Moscow have been at a low point since the attempted poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in British Salisbury in 2018. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in either case.

Briton arrested in Germany for 'spying for Russia'

Britain&nbsp;has warned all UK&nbsp;nationals&nbsp;in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;to&nbsp;leave&nbsp;the country&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;due to the "worsening security situation" as fighting intensifies.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Friday updated its website to advise against all travel to&nbsp;Afghanistan.

"All British&nbsp;nationals&nbsp;in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;are advised to&nbsp;leave&nbsp;now by commercial means. If you are still in&nbsp;Afghanistan, you are advised to&nbsp;leave&nbsp;now by commercial means because of the worsening security situation," it said.

The foreign office warned Britons not to rely on it for emergency evacuation, saying the assistance it could provide was "extremely limited".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-search-of-covid-19-origin-us-intel-agencies-scour-massive-genetic-data-from-wuhan-lab-403569">Also read |&nbsp;In search of COVID-19 origin, US intel agencies scour massive genetic data from Wuhan lab</a>

The warning comes after the Taliban launched a major offensive to coincide with the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces after nearly two decades of conflict.

"Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in&nbsp;Afghanistan. Specific methods of attack are evolving and increasing in sophistication," the foreign office said.

The Taliban now control vast swathes of rural&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;and are challenging government forces in several cities, including Herat, near the western border with Iran, and Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in the south.

On Friday, the Islamist militants captured their first provincial capital since stepping up their offensive in May.

Zaranj, the capital of the southwest province of Nimroz, fell "without a fight", deputy provincial governor Roh Gul Khairzad told AFP.

Britain has warned all UK nationals in Afghanistan to leave the country immediately due to the "worsening security situation" as fighting intensifies. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Friday updated its website to advise against all travel to Afghanistan.

Britain has warned all UK nationals in Afghanistan to leave the country immediately due to the "worsening security situation" as fighting intensifies. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Friday updated its website to advise against all travel to Afghanistan. "All British nationals in Afghanistan are advised to leave now by commercial means. If you are still in Afghanistan, you are advised to leave now by commercial means because of the worsening security situation," it said. The foreign office warned Britons not to rely on it for emergency evacuation, saying the assistance it could provide was "extremely limited". Also read | In search of COVID-19 origin, US intel agencies scour massive genetic data from Wuhan lab The warning comes after the Taliban launched a major offensive to coincide with the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces after nearly two decades of conflict. "Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Afghanistan. Specific methods of attack are evolving and increasing in sophistication," the foreign office said. The Taliban now control vast swathes of rural Afghanistan and are challenging government forces in several cities, including Herat, near the western border with Iran, and Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in the south. On Friday, the Islamist militants captured their first provincial capital since stepping up their offensive in May. Zaranj, the capital of the southwest province of Nimroz, fell "without a fight", deputy provincial governor Roh Gul Khairzad told AFP.

Britain tells nationals to leave Afghanistan immediately

The British government revealed over 200 firms that broke minimum wage regulations between 2011 and 2018, with the John Lewis Partnership, a department store and supermarket company, topping the list.&nbsp;

Football clubs, cleaning companies, and famous names like John Lewis and The Body Shop are among the 191 businesses highlighted.

Since 2011, HMRC investigations have discovered a total of £2.1 million due to more than 34,000 workers – however, the amount may be higher if those who were not caught are included.&nbsp;

The identified employers have been ordered to repay their debts and have been penalised an extra £3.2 million for their actions.&nbsp;

Britain's minimum wage laws can be complex, and the government suspended naming firms between 2018 and 2020 after complaints from businesses that they were unfairly penalised for falling foul of unclear official guidance.

But Britain's business ministry said on Thursday that it wanted businesses to be "named and shamed" even where errors were inadvertent.

"All employers, including those on this list, need to pay workers properly," business minister Paul Scully said.

Most of the companies named by Britain's business ministry underpaid employees by a tiny amount, while other employers - mainly in the social care or childcare sectors - underpaid employees by more than 1,000 pounds each.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The British government revealed over 200 firms that broke minimum wage regulations between 2011 and 2018, with the John Lewis Partnership, a department store and supermarket company, topping the list.

The British government revealed over 200 firms that broke minimum wage regulations between 2011 and 2018, with the John Lewis Partnership, a department store and supermarket company, topping the list. Football clubs, cleaning companies, and famous names like John Lewis and The Body Shop are among the 191 businesses highlighted. Since 2011, HMRC investigations have discovered a total of £2.1 million due to more than 34,000 workers – however, the amount may be higher if those who were not caught are included. The identified employers have been ordered to repay their debts and have been penalised an extra £3.2 million for their actions. Britain's minimum wage laws can be complex, and the government suspended naming firms between 2018 and 2020 after complaints from businesses that they were unfairly penalised for falling foul of unclear official guidance. But Britain's business ministry said on Thursday that it wanted businesses to be "named and shamed" even where errors were inadvertent. "All employers, including those on this list, need to pay workers properly," business minister Paul Scully said. Most of the companies named by Britain's business ministry underpaid employees by a tiny amount, while other employers - mainly in the social care or childcare sectors - underpaid employees by more than 1,000 pounds each. (With inputs from agencies)

UK govt named and shamed 200 companies for breaking minimum wage laws

Britain's world number one Oliver Townend on Sunday took the lead in the equestrian eventing, keeping a clean sheet on the cross-country course while reigning Olympic champion Michael Jung from Germany fell back to a disappointing 10th place.

After completing two of the three disciplines making up eventing - also known as horse triathlon - Britain is on course for team gold, with Australia in the silver medal position and France in bronze.

After dressage and cross-country, the showjumping on Monday will also decide whether Germany's Julia Krajewski can retain her individual silver medal position and Britain's Laura Collett can hold onto bronze.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-athletics-us-sprinter-richardson-applauds-jamaicas-100m-clean-sweep-402081" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics athletics: US sprinter Richardson applauds Jamaica's 100m clean sweep</a>

"A couple of places I thought he's in control and I’m not,” Townend laughed, referring to his horse Ballaghmor. “He wants to do his job more than most horses.”

Jung, who bagged individual gold both at the Rio and London Games and celebrated his 39th birthday on Saturday by coming first in the dressage test, was penalized after knocking down an obstacle in the cross country event - a 4.4 km (2.7 miles) course dotted with 36 fences, drop-offs, and ponds to negotiate at speeds of around 34 km per hour (21 miles per hour).

"I am certainly disappointed about the 11 (penalty) points. We have to continue to fight more than ever and ride a double-zero (penalty points) tomorrow," Jung said after his ride.

"He certainly touched the corner a little bit but by no means in such a way that I would have expected it to fall. And only when I galloped on, I suddenly heard a bang and looked back and gulped a bit: ok the pole is down," Jung said, referring to his horse Chipmunk.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-belinda-bencic-dedicates-singles-gold-to-idols-roger-federer-martina-hingis-402083" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics: Belinda Bencic dedicates singles gold to idols Roger Federer, Martina Hingis</a>

New Zealand's world number two Tim Price rode to fourth place both individually and with his team, which includes his wife Jonelle, the world number seven.

Equestrian sports do not differentiate between athletes and horses on the basis of gender or sex and athletes over the age of 50 often win medals.

Thailand's Arinadtha Chavatanont crashed into a water feature after her horse slipped when landing on a small piece of land between the obstacle and the pond. Both rider and horse were fine but it spelled the end of the country's dreams of a medal for its first-ever team in the sport.

Sweden's Therese Viklund was also eliminated after she fell off her one-eyed horse Viscera, her airbag vest inflating to cushion her fall.

Britain's world number one Oliver Townend on Sunday took the lead in the equestrian eventing, keeping a clean sheet on the cross-country course while reigning Olympic champion Michael Jung from Germany fell back to a disappointing 10th place.

Britain's world number one Oliver Townend on Sunday took the lead in the equestrian eventing, keeping a clean sheet on the cross-country course while reigning Olympic champion Michael Jung from Germany fell back to a disappointing 10th place. After completing two of the three disciplines making up eventing - also known as horse triathlon - Britain is on course for team gold, with Australia in the silver medal position and France in bronze. After dressage and cross-country, the showjumping on Monday will also decide whether Germany's Julia Krajewski can retain her individual silver medal position and Britain's Laura Collett can hold onto bronze. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics athletics: US sprinter Richardson applauds Jamaica's 100m clean sweep "A couple of places I thought he's in control and I’m not,” Townend laughed, referring to his horse Ballaghmor. “He wants to do his job more than most horses.” Jung, who bagged individual gold both at the Rio and London Games and celebrated his 39th birthday on Saturday by coming first in the dressage test, was penalized after knocking down an obstacle in the cross country event - a 4.4 km (2.7 miles) course dotted with 36 fences, drop-offs, and ponds to negotiate at speeds of around 34 km per hour (21 miles per hour). "I am certainly disappointed about the 11 (penalty) points. We have to continue to fight more than ever and ride a double-zero (penalty points) tomorrow," Jung said after his ride. "He certainly touched the corner a little bit but by no means in such a way that I would have expected it to fall. And only when I galloped on, I suddenly heard a bang and looked back and gulped a bit: ok the pole is down," Jung said, referring to his horse Chipmunk. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics: Belinda Bencic dedicates singles gold to idols Roger Federer, Martina Hingis New Zealand's world number two Tim Price rode to fourth place both individually and with his team, which includes his wife Jonelle, the world number seven. Equestrian sports do not differentiate between athletes and horses on the basis of gender or sex and athletes over the age of 50 often win medals. Thailand's Arinadtha Chavatanont crashed into a water feature after her horse slipped when landing on a small piece of land between the obstacle and the pond. Both rider and horse were fine but it spelled the end of the country's dreams of a medal for its first-ever team in the sport. Sweden's Therese Viklund was also eliminated after she fell off her one-eyed horse Viscera, her airbag vest inflating to cushion her fall.

Tokyo Olympics: Equestrian - Britain's Oliver Townend takes lead, Germany's Michael Jung falls back

Alex Yee delivered a superb final leg as Britain won the inaugural triathlon mixed relay gold medal on Saturday, their four-person team completing a wonderful week for the country, after also collecting two silvers in the individual events.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-indian-boxer-amit-panghal-bows-out-in-the-pre-quarterfinals-401878" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics: Indian boxer Amit Panghal bows out in the pre-quarterfinals</a> 
 
The United States took silver as their two men finally bagged their first male golds in the sport, with three-time world champions France taking bronze. 
 
It was an emotional triumph for Jonny Brownlee, who won individual bronze and silver in 2012 and 2016 and finally bagged a gold to enable him to share family bragging rights with double individual champion and big brother Alistair. 
 
Jess Learmonth led Britain out, while Georgia Taylor-Brown and anchor leg Yee, the individual silver winners, completed the impressive all-round display. 
 
The victory takes Britain’s medal tally to eight, including three golds, since the sport was introduced to the Olympics in 2000. 
 
"The Olympics is complete – it feels absolutely amazing. My third Olympics and I can finally walk away with gold," said Brownlee. 
 
"The Olympics is always special but to do it as a team is absolutely amazing."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-atanu-das-indias-final-hope-in-archery-knocked-out-in-pre-quarters-401874" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics: Atanu Das, India's final hope in archery, knocked out in pre-quarters</a> 
 
The race format features teams of two men and two women, who each complete a short-course race of 300 metres swim, 6.8km bike and 2km run and makes for fast-paced action. 
 
First-leg Learmonth had a lightning T2 to open a small gap going into the run but Britain, the U.S., Germany and the Netherlands were all together handing over. 
 
It was carnage in the transition area after the first handover, with half the exhausted first-leg women scattered over the blue carpet and medical staff hauling them to their feet and dragging them clear as the heat took its toll. 
 
The four teams remained together after the second bike leg but Brownlee flew out of T2 and immediately opened a gap, which he extended to nine seconds over the U.S. with a gutsy run on his last competitive appearance over the shorter distances as he plans to move up to Ironman. 
 
Taylor-Brown swum superbly to stretch the lead to 23 seconds, with Taylor Knibb forging clear from the chase pack to leave the U.S. clear in second. 
 
Taylor-Brown handed over to Yee, probably the fastest runner in the field with the 2018 British 10,000m track title to his name. 
 
On the last leg double world champion Vincent Luis overhauled Morgan Pearson on the swim then drove on strongly to catch Yee on the bike. 
 
Two years ago Luis beat Yee in a photo finish in the Tokyo test event but the young Briton made sure there was no repeat as he got a break in transition and poured on the power to immediately open a telling gap and he eventually won by 14 seconds. 
 
Behind him Morgan Pearson overhauled Luis for silver. 
 
"I was pretty scared taking over, the guys had been perfect and I wanted to do it justice," Yee said. 
 
"When Luis came past I knew I just had to get on there as my run is my strength so I had to hang on. Then I just went for it right at the start of the run to get an early gap."

Alex Yee delivered a superb final leg as Britain won the inaugural triathlon mixed relay gold medal on Saturday, their four-person team completing a wonderful week for the country, after also collecting two silvers in the individual events.

Alex Yee delivered a superb final leg as Britain won the inaugural triathlon mixed relay gold medal on Saturday, their four-person team completing a wonderful week for the country, after also collecting two silvers in the individual events. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics: Indian boxer Amit Panghal bows out in the pre-quarterfinals The United States took silver as their two men finally bagged their first male golds in the sport, with three-time world champions France taking bronze. It was an emotional triumph for Jonny Brownlee, who won individual bronze and silver in 2012 and 2016 and finally bagged a gold to enable him to share family bragging rights with double individual champion and big brother Alistair. Jess Learmonth led Britain out, while Georgia Taylor-Brown and anchor leg Yee, the individual silver winners, completed the impressive all-round display. The victory takes Britain’s medal tally to eight, including three golds, since the sport was introduced to the Olympics in 2000. "The Olympics is complete – it feels absolutely amazing. My third Olympics and I can finally walk away with gold," said Brownlee. "The Olympics is always special but to do it as a team is absolutely amazing." ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics: Atanu Das, India's final hope in archery, knocked out in pre-quarters The race format features teams of two men and two women, who each complete a short-course race of 300 metres swim, 6.8km bike and 2km run and makes for fast-paced action. First-leg Learmonth had a lightning T2 to open a small gap going into the run but Britain, the U.S., Germany and the Netherlands were all together handing over. It was carnage in the transition area after the first handover, with half the exhausted first-leg women scattered over the blue carpet and medical staff hauling them to their feet and dragging them clear as the heat took its toll. The four teams remained together after the second bike leg but Brownlee flew out of T2 and immediately opened a gap, which he extended to nine seconds over the U.S. with a gutsy run on his last competitive appearance over the shorter distances as he plans to move up to Ironman. Taylor-Brown swum superbly to stretch the lead to 23 seconds, with Taylor Knibb forging clear from the chase pack to leave the U.S. clear in second. Taylor-Brown handed over to Yee, probably the fastest runner in the field with the 2018 British 10,000m track title to his name. On the last leg double world champion Vincent Luis overhauled Morgan Pearson on the swim then drove on strongly to catch Yee on the bike. Two years ago Luis beat Yee in a photo finish in the Tokyo test event but the young Briton made sure there was no repeat as he got a break in transition and poured on the power to immediately open a telling gap and he eventually won by 14 seconds. Behind him Morgan Pearson overhauled Luis for silver. "I was pretty scared taking over, the guys had been perfect and I wanted to do it justice," Yee said. "When Luis came past I knew I just had to get on there as my run is my strength so I had to hang on. Then I just went for it right at the start of the run to get an early gap."

Tokyo Olympics, Triathlon: Britain win first-ever mixed-relay gold

Has the British Royal family become a royal burden? Reports reveal the Queen has been lobbying to secure her private interests. She recently exempted herself from a climate law. Palki Sharma has the details.

Gravitas: The Queen's secret lobbying and climate hypocrisy

British PM Boris Johnson has unveiled a plan to GPS track burglars released on probation. The plan is to extend this system to all serial offenders. Is this breakthrough in crime prevention or mass surveillance? Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Britain to strap GPS tag on freed burglars

More than 600,000 Britons were asked to self-isolate by the UK's contract tracing app in one week. Is the outbreak spiralling out of control or is the NHS app malfunctioning?

Gravitas: 'Pingdemic' hits Britain

According to a report, the proportion of women on the board at 200 of Britain’s top financial firms has risen to nearly a third in the five years since the government launched an initiative to improve gender balance in the sector.

World Business Watch: Report says women make up nearly a third of financial service firm boards

A new investigation has revealed that thousands of former racehorses which were in training in Ireland are being killed every year.

The report will air on BBC1's Panorama on Monday evening, claiming that "thousands" of ex-racers - "most, but not all" are being butchered every year.

The programme is called "The Dark Side of Horse Racing" and is based on footage provided by Animal Aid, an animal rights group, The Guardian reported. Animal Aid advocates ending slaughter of animals and wants a complete ban on horse racing.

Multiple media reports claim that cameras were planed by Animal Aid in a slaughterhouse run by F Drury &amp; Sons, which captured "dozens" of ex-racehorses, most of which came from Ireland. 
 
Three of these horses reportedly belong to trainer Gordon Elliott, who was recently banned from racing for sitting on a dead horse. Elliott told the programme that he wasn't involved in the slaughtering business. 
 
He did name two horses - High Expectations and Kiss Me Kayf, who were shipped to a horse dealer to be sent to an appropriate home. In the worst-case scenario, he urged them to euthanise the horses humanely.

According to the report, serious breaches of regulations took place while dealing with horses. The cameras recorded 91 occasions when a worker shot horses from a distance instead of from a close location.

The investigation also revealed that many of the horses were brought from Ireland via road and sea, many of which had sustained serious injuries that end careers. In addition, the report mentions 26 instances of the horses being killed within sight of other horses, a clear violation of slaughtering policies.

Since the start of 2019, at least 4,000 racehorses have been slaughtered in such conditions, according to the report.

A new investigation has revealed that thousands of former racehorses which were in training in Ireland are being killed every year. The report will air on BBC1's Panorama on Monday evening, claiming that "thousands" of ex-racers - "most, but not all" are being butchered every year.

A new investigation has revealed that thousands of former racehorses which were in training in Ireland are being killed every year. The report will air on BBC1's Panorama on Monday evening, claiming that "thousands" of ex-racers - "most, but not all" are being butchered every year. The programme is called "The Dark Side of Horse Racing" and is based on footage provided by Animal Aid, an animal rights group, The Guardian reported. Animal Aid advocates ending slaughter of animals and wants a complete ban on horse racing. Multiple media reports claim that cameras were planed by Animal Aid in a slaughterhouse run by F Drury & Sons, which captured "dozens" of ex-racehorses, most of which came from Ireland. Three of these horses reportedly belong to trainer Gordon Elliott, who was recently banned from racing for sitting on a dead horse. Elliott told the programme that he wasn't involved in the slaughtering business. He did name two horses - High Expectations and Kiss Me Kayf, who were shipped to a horse dealer to be sent to an appropriate home. In the worst-case scenario, he urged them to euthanise the horses humanely. According to the report, serious breaches of regulations took place while dealing with horses. The cameras recorded 91 occasions when a worker shot horses from a distance instead of from a close location. The investigation also revealed that many of the horses were brought from Ireland via road and sea, many of which had sustained serious injuries that end careers. In addition, the report mentions 26 instances of the horses being killed within sight of other horses, a clear violation of slaughtering policies. Since the start of 2019, at least 4,000 racehorses have been slaughtered in such conditions, according to the report.

'Thousands' of former racehorses are slaughtered in British abattoirs every year: Report

Every adult in the United Kingdom has been offered a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the health ministry said on Sunday, ahead of the end of legal restrictions in England on Monday. 
 
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's target was for every adult, who wanted to a shot to be able to get one by July 19. 
 
So far, 87.8% of adults have received a first shot of COVID-19 vaccine, with the government also meeting a target to give two-thirds of adults two doses of vaccine by Monday. 
 
Johnson is proceeding with the full re-opening of the economy despite a fresh surge of cases fuelled by the highly transmissible Delta variant. New infections are running at their highest level since January. 
 
Some scientists have expressed concern about the re-opening given the high case rates, the substantial proportion of the population which is not yet fully vaccinated and the projected increases in hospitalisations and deaths. 
 
Johnson`s health minister, Sajid Javid, on Saturday said he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was self-isolating. 
 
Johnson argues that the vaccine rollout has substantially weakened the link between COVID cases and deaths, and that summer is the best time to reopen the economy since pressures on the health service are lower 
 
"Thank you again to everyone coming forward, and to those helping others to get jabbed. You are the reason we are able to cautiously ease restrictions next week, and return closer towards normal life," Johnson said in a statement.

Every adult in the United Kingdom has been offered a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the health ministry said on Sunday, ahead of the end of legal restrictions in England on Monday.

Every adult in the United Kingdom has been offered a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the health ministry said on Sunday, ahead of the end of legal restrictions in England on Monday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's target was for every adult, who wanted to a shot to be able to get one by July 19. So far, 87.8% of adults have received a first shot of COVID-19 vaccine, with the government also meeting a target to give two-thirds of adults two doses of vaccine by Monday. Johnson is proceeding with the full re-opening of the economy despite a fresh surge of cases fuelled by the highly transmissible Delta variant. New infections are running at their highest level since January. Some scientists have expressed concern about the re-opening given the high case rates, the substantial proportion of the population which is not yet fully vaccinated and the projected increases in hospitalisations and deaths. Johnson`s health minister, Sajid Javid, on Saturday said he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was self-isolating. Johnson argues that the vaccine rollout has substantially weakened the link between COVID cases and deaths, and that summer is the best time to reopen the economy since pressures on the health service are lower "Thank you again to everyone coming forward, and to those helping others to get jabbed. You are the reason we are able to cautiously ease restrictions next week, and return closer towards normal life," Johnson said in a statement.

All adults in Britain offered a COVID-19 shot ahead of Monday reopening

As part of a broader package of green initiatives aimed at achieving net-zero emissions from all forms of transport ten years later, Britain will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel heavy good vehicles from 2040.

World Business Watch: Britain to ban sale of new diesel and petrol heavy goods vehicles from 2040

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson kicked off a debate ahead of the parliamentary vote regarding the government's decision to cut the country's overseas aid spending by around 4 billion pounds a year.

Boris Johnson defends proposal to cut UK foreign aid spending

The United Kingdom will phase out coal-fired power by October 2024, a year ahead of schedule, as part of a campaign to encourage other countries to raise their climate ambitions ahead of a global warming summit it will host in November.&nbsp;

British Energy and Climate Change Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan made this announcement on Wednesday (June 30).

“Coal powered the industrial revolution 200 years ago, but now is the time for radical action to completely eliminate this dirty fuel from our energy system,” Anne-Marie Trevelyan said in a statement.

The move is part of the British government's ambitious plan to transition away from fossil fuels and decarbonise the power sector by 2050 in order to reduce climate change contributions.&nbsp;

This decision pushes the deadline for phasing out coal from the UK's energy system forward by a year, highlighting the UK's leadership in reducing emissions and leading by example in combating climate change ahead of hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) summit in Glasgow this November.&nbsp;

According to the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, coal accounted for only 1.8 per cent of the UK's electricity mix last year, with renewable such as wind and solar accounting for around 43 per cent.&nbsp;

The United Kingdom has come a long way since the 1950s when a heavy layer of coal-fuelled smog blanketed London. Coal accounted for about 40% of the country's electricity generation just a decade ago.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United Kingdom will phase out coal-fired power by October 2024, a year ahead of schedule, as part of a campaign to encourage other countries to raise their climate ambitions ahead of a global warming summit it will host in November.

The United Kingdom will phase out coal-fired power by October 2024, a year ahead of schedule, as part of a campaign to encourage other countries to raise their climate ambitions ahead of a global warming summit it will host in November. British Energy and Climate Change Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan made this announcement on Wednesday (June 30). “Coal powered the industrial revolution 200 years ago, but now is the time for radical action to completely eliminate this dirty fuel from our energy system,” Anne-Marie Trevelyan said in a statement. The move is part of the British government's ambitious plan to transition away from fossil fuels and decarbonise the power sector by 2050 in order to reduce climate change contributions. This decision pushes the deadline for phasing out coal from the UK's energy system forward by a year, highlighting the UK's leadership in reducing emissions and leading by example in combating climate change ahead of hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) summit in Glasgow this November. According to the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, coal accounted for only 1.8 per cent of the UK's electricity mix last year, with renewable such as wind and solar accounting for around 43 per cent. The United Kingdom has come a long way since the 1950s when a heavy layer of coal-fuelled smog blanketed London. Coal accounted for about 40% of the country's electricity generation just a decade ago. (With inputs from agencies)

Britain to stop using coal-fired power in just three years

Queen Elizabeth has awarded Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) the George Cross - the highest civilian gallantry award - in recognition of 73 years of dedicated service, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The honour has only been bestowed collectively twice before, and only once by the queen.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the award was a symbol of the nation’s gratitude.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-get-me-wrong-covid-19-has-not-been-vanquished-us-president-joe-biden-395818https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-get-me-wrong-covid-19-has-not-been-vanquished-us-president-joe-biden-395818">Also read |&nbsp;Don't get me wrong, COVID-19 has not been vanquished: US President Joe Biden&nbsp;</a>

“NHS staff have cared for us and our friends and family on the frontline of a pandemic for over a year, and I have witnessed their courage first-hand,” Johnson, who was treated by the NHS in intensive care with COVID-19 last year, said.

“I know the whole of the UK is behind me in paying tribute and giving thanks for everything the NHS has done for us, not only in the last year, but since its inception.”

The NHS was established in 1948 as the centrepiece of social reforms following World War Two, with a mission to provide state-funded comprehensive universal healthcare.

NHS Chief Executive Simon Stevens said the honour recognised the skill, compassion and fortitude of staff right across the service in responding to the worst pandemic in a century.

“Out of those dark times have come the best of what it means to be a carer and a health professional,” he said.

“In the face of adversity we have seen extraordinary team work, not just across the NHS but involving hundreds of thousands of volunteers, millions of carers, key workers and the British public who have played an indispensable role in helping the health service to look after many hundreds of thousands of seriously ill patients with coronavirus.”

The George Cross was first bestowed collectively to the people of Malta in 1942 by Queen Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, and to the Royal Ulster Constabulary by the queen in 1999.

Queen Elizabeth has awarded Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) the George Cross - the highest civilian gallantry award - in recognition of 73 years of dedicated service, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Queen Elizabeth has awarded Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) the George Cross - the highest civilian gallantry award - in recognition of 73 years of dedicated service, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. The honour has only been bestowed collectively twice before, and only once by the queen. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the award was a symbol of the nation’s gratitude. Also read | Don't get me wrong, COVID-19 has not been vanquished: US President Joe Biden “NHS staff have cared for us and our friends and family on the frontline of a pandemic for over a year, and I have witnessed their courage first-hand,” Johnson, who was treated by the NHS in intensive care with COVID-19 last year, said. “I know the whole of the UK is behind me in paying tribute and giving thanks for everything the NHS has done for us, not only in the last year, but since its inception.” The NHS was established in 1948 as the centrepiece of social reforms following World War Two, with a mission to provide state-funded comprehensive universal healthcare. NHS Chief Executive Simon Stevens said the honour recognised the skill, compassion and fortitude of staff right across the service in responding to the worst pandemic in a century. “Out of those dark times have come the best of what it means to be a carer and a health professional,” he said. “In the face of adversity we have seen extraordinary team work, not just across the NHS but involving hundreds of thousands of volunteers, millions of carers, key workers and the British public who have played an indispensable role in helping the health service to look after many hundreds of thousands of seriously ill patients with coronavirus.” The George Cross was first bestowed collectively to the people of Malta in 1942 by Queen Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, and to the Royal Ulster Constabulary by the queen in 1999.

Queen Elizabeth honours Britain's health service for pandemic work

Britain will unveil its blueprint on Thursday for building the world's most advanced financial sector after Brexit largely severed the City of London financial district from the European Union, its biggest export customer.

World Business Watch: FM Sunak promises to sharpen City of London's competitive edge

In UK, fraud and error from a loan scheme to help businesses cope with the COVID-19 pandemic launched during COVID-19 pandemic it could cost British taxpayers up to 37 billion on top of some 60 billion dollars annually which is lost to criminals and mistakes a report has said.

World Business Watch: COVID loan fraud and error will cost UK taxpayers of billions pounds

Campaigning for the by-elections at the small working class constituency in Britain's West Yorkshire, Batley and Spen made global news today after conservative party politician Richard Holdan accused labour of identity politics.

Batley & Spen By-Election: Tory MP Richard Holdan accuses Labour of hypocrisy

Britain's financial regulator has said Binance, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, cannot conduct any regulated activity and issued a warning to consumers about the platform, which is coming under growing scrutiny globally.

World Business Watch: Britain bans Binance's UK operations in latest cryptocurrency crackdown

Britain could face gaps on supermarket shelves this summer and an "unimaginable" collapse of supply chains after the pandemic and Brexit led to a shortage of more than 100,000 truck drivers, industry leaders have warned.

In a June 23 letter sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the industry called for his personal intervention to allow access to European labour by introducing temporary worker visas for HGV drivers and adding them to a "shortage occupation list".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/researchers-unveil-ancient-skull-nicknamed-as-dragon-man-394106">Also Read |&nbsp;Researchers unveil ancient skull nicknamed as 'Dragon Man'</a>

A government spokesman said however that with the country's new post-Brexit immigration system, the industry should look to hire local workers instead.

"Supermarkets are already reporting that they are not receiving their expected&nbsp;food&nbsp;stocks and, as a result, there is considerable wastage," said Richard Burnett, the chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, which co-ordinated the letter.

Britain's supermarket industry, led by Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons, relies on an army of drivers and warehouse workers to bring fresh produce from the fields of Europe to its shelves.

Britain could face gaps on supermarket shelves this summer and an "unimaginable" collapse of supply chains after the pandemic and Brexit led to a shortage of more than 100,000 truck drivers, industry leaders have warned.

Britain could face gaps on supermarket shelves this summer and an "unimaginable" collapse of supply chains after the pandemic and Brexit led to a shortage of more than 100,000 truck drivers, industry leaders have warned. In a June 23 letter sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the industry called for his personal intervention to allow access to European labour by introducing temporary worker visas for HGV drivers and adding them to a "shortage occupation list". Also Read | Researchers unveil ancient skull nicknamed as 'Dragon Man' A government spokesman said however that with the country's new post-Brexit immigration system, the industry should look to hire local workers instead. "Supermarkets are already reporting that they are not receiving their expected food stocks and, as a result, there is considerable wastage," said Richard Burnett, the chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, which co-ordinated the letter. Britain's supermarket industry, led by Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons, relies on an army of drivers and warehouse workers to bring fresh produce from the fields of Europe to its shelves.

Britain could face food shortages due to lorry driver crisis

Britain's GCHQ spy agency has installed a giant multicoloured artwork to celebrate codebreaker and&nbsp;mathematician Alan Turing, who helped turn the tide of World War Two against Nazi Germany but was persecuted for being gay. 
 
The 10-metre&nbsp;by 10-metre artwork in the centre of the agency's doughnut-shaped headquarters depicts Turing inside the wheels of the 'bombe' codebreaker machine that he designed. 
 
Considered the father of modern computing, Turing led a team that cracked the Nazis' naval Enigma code for British spies, a breakthrough dramatised in the 2014 thriller 'The Imitation Game'. 
 
But he pleaded guilty to gross indecency in 1952 after a sexual relationship with another man and, forced to have hormonal injections, killed himself two years later aged 41 by eating an apple laced with cyanide. 
 
Unveiled on his birthday as a new 50-pound note featuring Turing entered circulation, the work at GCHQ in the western English city of Cheltenham was created by 3D artist Joe Hill and features 15 hidden codes. 
 
It also carries a famous Turing quote: "Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine." 
 
Years after his death, Turing has become a symbol of the prejudice suffered by gay people during his lifetime. 
 
"He was embraced for his brilliance but persecuted for being gay," GCHQ Director Jeremy Fleming said. 
 
Turing joined the Government Code &amp; Cypher School, a precursor to GCHQ, in 1939 to help break German codes. With Polish help, he broke Naval Enigma. He left GCHQ in 1945. 
 
GCHQ is Britain's biggest spy agency. Its job is to eavesdrop on the world to protect British security, though it also disrupts communications. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Britain's GCHQ spy agency has installed a giant multicoloured artwork to celebrate codebreaker and mathematician Alan Turing, who helped turn the tide of World War Two against Nazi Germany but was persecuted for being gay.

Britain's GCHQ spy agency has installed a giant multicoloured artwork to celebrate codebreaker and mathematician Alan Turing, who helped turn the tide of World War Two against Nazi Germany but was persecuted for being gay. The 10-metre by 10-metre artwork in the centre of the agency's doughnut-shaped headquarters depicts Turing inside the wheels of the 'bombe' codebreaker machine that he designed. Considered the father of modern computing, Turing led a team that cracked the Nazis' naval Enigma code for British spies, a breakthrough dramatised in the 2014 thriller 'The Imitation Game'. But he pleaded guilty to gross indecency in 1952 after a sexual relationship with another man and, forced to have hormonal injections, killed himself two years later aged 41 by eating an apple laced with cyanide. Unveiled on his birthday as a new 50-pound note featuring Turing entered circulation, the work at GCHQ in the western English city of Cheltenham was created by 3D artist Joe Hill and features 15 hidden codes. It also carries a famous Turing quote: "Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine." Years after his death, Turing has become a symbol of the prejudice suffered by gay people during his lifetime. "He was embraced for his brilliance but persecuted for being gay," GCHQ Director Jeremy Fleming said. Turing joined the Government Code & Cypher School, a precursor to GCHQ, in 1939 to help break German codes. With Polish help, he broke Naval Enigma. He left GCHQ in 1945. GCHQ is Britain's biggest spy agency. Its job is to eavesdrop on the world to protect British security, though it also disrupts communications. (With inputs from agencies)

Britain's spy agency honours codebreaker Turing in giant artwork

Eighty years ago on Thursday, British lawmakers driven from their debating chamber by World War Two Nazi bombs secretly set up a new home less than 100 yards away, from where Prime Minister Winston Churchill ran the country's wartime government. 
 
Unbeknown to the British public, on June 24, 1941, elected lawmakers from the green-benched House of Commons moved onto the red benches of the House of Lords chamber and remained there for nine years. 
 
From this lavishly-decorated but clandestine setting they debated and legislated the war effort, and later passed plans to rebuild and reshape post-war Britain. The move was not officially acknowledged until after the war. 
 
The emergency operation was set up after the bombing of the House of Commons debating chamber during a May 1941 air raid. 
 
"Churchill went into the Commons chamber and he looked at the destruction and the one thing he said was 'Parliament will sit`' - he didn't quite know where, but thanks to the Lords, it was here," said House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, speaking from within the heavily gilded Lords chamber. 
 
Although only a short distance apart, the Commons and the Lords are usually separated by centuries of tradition in which the Commons proudly defends its independence from the British monarchy and its lawmaking supremacy over the unelected Lords. 
 
But, the current speakers from both houses, Hoyle and his Lords counterpart John McFall, celebrated the anniversary this week in a display of unity to show the strength of Britain's democratic system. 
 
"It demonstrates that in time of need, in time of crisis, that both houses work together," McFall said. 
 
The little-known chapter in British wartime history required permission from King George VI, whose robing room in Westminster Palace was used by the displaced Lords to perform their constitutional role of scrutinising the government's work. 
 
The move to the Lords was not without hitches. 
 
Stained glass windows designed by Augustus Pugin had to be covered to block out light visible to German bombers. Lawmakers complained it was too hot in summer, too cold in winter and hard to hear each other in the high-ceilinged chamber lined with statues of medieval knights. 
 
A rebuilt Commons debating chamber was reopened in 1950. 
 
According to Lords clerks, Churchill left a physical legacy in the chamber in the form of a small dent caused by the oratorical flourish of thumping his signet ring into the table to punctuate his most powerful speeches. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Eighty years ago on Thursday, British lawmakers driven from their debating chamber by World War Two Nazi bombs secretly set up a new home less than 100 yards away, from where Prime Minister Winston Churchill ran the country's wartime government.

Eighty years ago on Thursday, British lawmakers driven from their debating chamber by World War Two Nazi bombs secretly set up a new home less than 100 yards away, from where Prime Minister Winston Churchill ran the country's wartime government. Unbeknown to the British public, on June 24, 1941, elected lawmakers from the green-benched House of Commons moved onto the red benches of the House of Lords chamber and remained there for nine years. From this lavishly-decorated but clandestine setting they debated and legislated the war effort, and later passed plans to rebuild and reshape post-war Britain. The move was not officially acknowledged until after the war. The emergency operation was set up after the bombing of the House of Commons debating chamber during a May 1941 air raid. "Churchill went into the Commons chamber and he looked at the destruction and the one thing he said was 'Parliament will sit`' - he didn't quite know where, but thanks to the Lords, it was here," said House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, speaking from within the heavily gilded Lords chamber. Although only a short distance apart, the Commons and the Lords are usually separated by centuries of tradition in which the Commons proudly defends its independence from the British monarchy and its lawmaking supremacy over the unelected Lords. But, the current speakers from both houses, Hoyle and his Lords counterpart John McFall, celebrated the anniversary this week in a display of unity to show the strength of Britain's democratic system. "It demonstrates that in time of need, in time of crisis, that both houses work together," McFall said. The little-known chapter in British wartime history required permission from King George VI, whose robing room in Westminster Palace was used by the displaced Lords to perform their constitutional role of scrutinising the government's work. The move to the Lords was not without hitches. Stained glass windows designed by Augustus Pugin had to be covered to block out light visible to German bombers. Lawmakers complained it was too hot in summer, too cold in winter and hard to hear each other in the high-ceilinged chamber lined with statues of medieval knights. A rebuilt Commons debating chamber was reopened in 1950. According to Lords clerks, Churchill left a physical legacy in the chamber in the form of a small dent caused by the oratorical flourish of thumping his signet ring into the table to punctuate his most powerful speeches. (With inputs from agencies)

Britain's 'secret parliament' celebrates its 80th birthday

Britain on Monday added three Myamar entities to its sanctions list. Pearl and timber firms and `State Administration Council` are the two entities. The former is state-owned while that latter runs functions of the state. Notice about the sanctions has been posted on British givernemnt website.

Britain said there were reasonable grounds to believe the two state-owned enterprises provided funds to the military junta, and said the State Administration Council was responsible for, or had supported, the undermining of democracy in Myanmar.

Britain, the US and other Western states have imposed several sanctions in waves. This has been done in an effort to increase pressure on the military junta.

The military junta toppled the civilian government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1.

“Alongside our allies, we are placing sanctions on companies linked to Myanmar’s military junta, targeting the finances of this illegitimate regime," foreign minister Dominic Raab said.

“The military has continued its subversion of democracy and brutal killing of civilians. We will continue to hold the Junta to account and sanction those responsible, until democracy is restored.”

The junta`s allegations of irregularities in a November election were rejected by the electoral commission. 
Britain also strengthened its advice to businesses, stressing that they must "undertake enhanced supply chain due diligence and should not enter into trading relationships that benefit the Myanmar military."

(With inputs from agencies)

Britain on Monday added three Myamar entities to its sanctions list. Pearl and timber firms and `State Administration Council` are the two entities. The former is state-owned while that latter runs functions of the state.

Britain on Monday added three Myamar entities to its sanctions list. Pearl and timber firms and `State Administration Council` are the two entities. The former is state-owned while that latter runs functions of the state. Notice about the sanctions has been posted on British givernemnt website. Britain said there were reasonable grounds to believe the two state-owned enterprises provided funds to the military junta, and said the State Administration Council was responsible for, or had supported, the undermining of democracy in Myanmar. Britain, the US and other Western states have imposed several sanctions in waves. This has been done in an effort to increase pressure on the military junta. The military junta toppled the civilian government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1. “Alongside our allies, we are placing sanctions on companies linked to Myanmar’s military junta, targeting the finances of this illegitimate regime," foreign minister Dominic Raab said. “The military has continued its subversion of democracy and brutal killing of civilians. We will continue to hold the Junta to account and sanction those responsible, until democracy is restored.” The junta`s allegations of irregularities in a November election were rejected by the electoral commission. Britain also strengthened its advice to businesses, stressing that they must "undertake enhanced supply chain due diligence and should not enter into trading relationships that benefit the Myanmar military." (With inputs from agencies)

Britain tightens sanctions on Myanmar military junta

Britain's airlines and holiday companies are planning a 'day of action' on Wednesday to ramp up pressure on the government to ease travel restrictions, with just weeks to go before the start of the peak summer season. 
 
Travel companies, whose finances have been stretched to breaking point during the pandemic, are desperate to avoid another summer lost to COVID-19. But with Britain's strict quarantine requirements still in place that now looks likely. 
 
As the clock ticks down to July, Europe's biggest airline Ryanair and Manchester Airports Group on Thursday launched legal action to try to get the government to ease the rules before the industry's most profitable season starts. 
 
On Wednesday, June 23, pilots, cabin crew and travel agents will gather in Westminster, central London, and at airports across Britain to try to drum up support. 
 
Britain's aviation industry has been harder hit by the pandemic than its European peers, according to data published by pilots trade union BALPA on Sunday. 
 
That showed daily arrivals and departures into the United Kingdom were down 73% on an average day earlier this month compared to before the pandemic, the biggest drop in Europe. Spain, Greece and France were down less than 60%. 
 
UK airports were also badly affected, with traffic in and out of London's second busiest airport Gatwick down 92%, according to the data. 
 
Time is running out for the industry, said the union. 
 
"There is no time to hide behind task forces and reviews," said BALPA general secretary Brian Strutton. 
 
"BALPA is demanding that the UK Government gets its act together and opens the US&nbsp;routes and European holiday travel destinations that it has blocked with no published evidence at all." 
 
Over 45,000 jobs have already been lost in UK aviation, with estimates suggesting that 860,000 aviation, travel and tourism jobs are being sustained only by government furlough schemes. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Britain's airlines and holiday companies are planning a 'day of action' on Wednesday to ramp up pressure on the government to ease travel restrictions, with just weeks to go before the start of the peak summer season.

Britain's airlines and holiday companies are planning a 'day of action' on Wednesday to ramp up pressure on the government to ease travel restrictions, with just weeks to go before the start of the peak summer season. Travel companies, whose finances have been stretched to breaking point during the pandemic, are desperate to avoid another summer lost to COVID-19. But with Britain's strict quarantine requirements still in place that now looks likely. As the clock ticks down to July, Europe's biggest airline Ryanair and Manchester Airports Group on Thursday launched legal action to try to get the government to ease the rules before the industry's most profitable season starts. On Wednesday, June 23, pilots, cabin crew and travel agents will gather in Westminster, central London, and at airports across Britain to try to drum up support. Britain's aviation industry has been harder hit by the pandemic than its European peers, according to data published by pilots trade union BALPA on Sunday. That showed daily arrivals and departures into the United Kingdom were down 73% on an average day earlier this month compared to before the pandemic, the biggest drop in Europe. Spain, Greece and France were down less than 60%. UK airports were also badly affected, with traffic in and out of London's second busiest airport Gatwick down 92%, according to the data. Time is running out for the industry, said the union. "There is no time to hide behind task forces and reviews," said BALPA general secretary Brian Strutton. "BALPA is demanding that the UK Government gets its act together and opens the US routes and European holiday travel destinations that it has blocked with no published evidence at all." Over 45,000 jobs have already been lost in UK aviation, with estimates suggesting that 860,000 aviation, travel and tourism jobs are being sustained only by government furlough schemes. (With inputs from agencies)

Airlines, holiday companies ramp up pressure on Britain to ease travel rules

Ahead of the introduction of a bill raising the minimum age of marriage in the UK to 18, lawmakers said&nbsp;that Britain must scrap the legal loophole that allows child marriage "by the back door".

Introduced in 1929, the current law in the UK allows marriage at the age of 16, provided there is parental consent. According to the lawmakers, this has not only sabotaged girls' futures but has also condoned child abuse.

According to campaign groups, the loophole also undermines Britain's global efforts to end child marriage in other countries.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/london-woman-shot-dead-in-pakistan-after-refusing-to-marry-local-382870" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/london-woman-shot-dead-in-pakistan-after-refusing-to-marry-local-382870&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjS1crw0ZzxAhWr63MBHV0qBMoQFjAAegQICBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2bRGW_SkBpkJT1_YuhwYqt" dir="ltr" href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/london-woman-shot-dead-in-pakistan-after-refusing-to-marry-local-382870&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjS1crw0ZzxAhWr63MBHV0qBMoQFjAAegQICBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2bRGW_SkBpkJT1_YuhwYqt" target="_blank">London woman&nbsp;shot dead in Pakistan after refusing to marry local</a>

"Child marriage is child abuse," former chancellor Sajid Javid told BBC radio before presenting the bill, which has cross-party support. "People think this is often something that just happens in developing countries. It doesn't. It's happening right here ... it has to stop."

He also reported&nbsp;that thousands of minors had been coerced into marriages in Britain in the last decade.

Meanwhile, the government has also said it is committed to lifting the minimum age to 18.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/rising-cases-of-sexual-harassment-in-uk-schools-alarming-watchdog-390631" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/rising-cases-of-sexual-harassment-in-uk-schools-alarming-watchdog-390631&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwibjL6j0pzxAhVt63MBHfWBDG44ChAWMAB6BAgCEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw3RNPXgMpS5Bfr9h28kC37_" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rising-cases-of-sexual-harassment-in-uk-schools-alarming-watchdog-390631" target="_blank">Rising cases of sexual harassment in UK schools alarming</a>

One of the campaigners, Payzee Mahmod, who also had an early marriage at the age of 16 says that "it's a big step in the right direction. We're celebrating this moment."

Campaigners are fighting against dreadful situations where girls are pulled out of school and often subjected to marital rape and domestic abuse in the name of early marriage, he added.

In 1929, the current law set the minimum age at 16 because back then, living together out of wedlock was socially unacceptable, so marriage was seen as a socially acceptable way out. &nbsp;

Today, relationships outside marriage are still often considered shameful by the people belonging to South Asian and Middle Eastern backgrounds, which is why girls from these communities are seen to be most at risk of early marriage in Britain.

Campaigners against the 1929 law say that nowadays most girls who marry under 18 are pressured into it by their families and that raising the minimum age would empower them to say no and fight for their rights.

They also assert that it was crucial not only to put an end to&nbsp;the loophole but to make it a criminal offence to assist any underage marriage, including religious marriages and those conducted abroad.

Parliamentarian Pauline Latham, one of the bill's sponsors, said the current law permitted child marriage "by the back door".

"I've spoken to a lot of ministers to say we cannot let this continue, and they've agreed. Boris is keen to get it through," she added, referring to the prime minister.

Spearheaded by Latham, an attempt was made to amend the law last year, but it was foiled by the pandemic. However, campaigners said they are confident that the legislation, which applies to England and Wales, would pass by next spring.

According to official data, between 2008 and 2017 more than 2,740 under-18s were married in England and Wales. Notably, this figure doesn’t include those minors who were wed in traditional ceremonies or were taken abroad to marry.

Talking about how marriages between the ages of 13 and 15 were not uncommon, Karma Nirvana, a British human rights charity that campaigns against forced marriage, reports that&nbsp;it had also come across cases involving children as young as 11.

"Criminalisation is a strong deterrent and necessary to protect every child from all forms of child marriage in all settings," said Mahmod, whose sister Banaz was killed by family members after leaving a husband they had chosen for her at 17.

Ahead of the introduction of a bill raising the minimum age of marriage in the UK to 18, lawmakers said that Britain must scrap the legal loophole that allows child marriage "by the back door".

Ahead of the introduction of a bill raising the minimum age of marriage in the UK to 18, lawmakers said that Britain must scrap the legal loophole that allows child marriage "by the back door". Introduced in 1929, the current law in the UK allows marriage at the age of 16, provided there is parental consent. According to the lawmakers, this has not only sabotaged girls' futures but has also condoned child abuse. According to campaign groups, the loophole also undermines Britain's global efforts to end child marriage in other countries. Also read | London woman shot dead in Pakistan after refusing to marry local "Child marriage is child abuse," former chancellor Sajid Javid told BBC radio before presenting the bill, which has cross-party support. "People think this is often something that just happens in developing countries. It doesn't. It's happening right here ... it has to stop." He also reported that thousands of minors had been coerced into marriages in Britain in the last decade. Meanwhile, the government has also said it is committed to lifting the minimum age to 18. Also read | Rising cases of sexual harassment in UK schools alarming One of the campaigners, Payzee Mahmod, who also had an early marriage at the age of 16 says that "it's a big step in the right direction. We're celebrating this moment." Campaigners are fighting against dreadful situations where girls are pulled out of school and often subjected to marital rape and domestic abuse in the name of early marriage, he added. In 1929, the current law set the minimum age at 16 because back then, living together out of wedlock was socially unacceptable, so marriage was seen as a socially acceptable way out. Today, relationships outside marriage are still often considered shameful by the people belonging to South Asian and Middle Eastern backgrounds, which is why girls from these communities are seen to be most at risk of early marriage in Britain. Campaigners against the 1929 law say that nowadays most girls who marry under 18 are pressured into it by their families and that raising the minimum age would empower them to say no and fight for their rights. They also assert that it was crucial not only to put an end to the loophole but to make it a criminal offence to assist any underage marriage, including religious marriages and those conducted abroad. Parliamentarian Pauline Latham, one of the bill's sponsors, said the current law permitted child marriage "by the back door". "I've spoken to a lot of ministers to say we cannot let this continue, and they've agreed. Boris is keen to get it through," she added, referring to the prime minister. Spearheaded by Latham, an attempt was made to amend the law last year, but it was foiled by the pandemic. However, campaigners said they are confident that the legislation, which applies to England and Wales, would pass by next spring. According to official data, between 2008 and 2017 more than 2,740 under-18s were married in England and Wales. Notably, this figure doesn’t include those minors who were wed in traditional ceremonies or were taken abroad to marry. Talking about how marriages between the ages of 13 and 15 were not uncommon, Karma Nirvana, a British human rights charity that campaigns against forced marriage, reports that it had also come across cases involving children as young as 11. "Criminalisation is a strong deterrent and necessary to protect every child from all forms of child marriage in all settings," said Mahmod, whose sister Banaz was killed by family members after leaving a husband they had chosen for her at 17.

Britain set to scrap nearly century-old legal loophole allowing child marriage ‘by back door’

Britain is keeping all options on the table as a response in a dispute with the European Union over part of their Brexit deal covering Northern Ireland, Brexit minister David Frost said on Wednesday, adding that talks were not making much progress.

Frustration in the British government is also rising because London has offered a number of proposals to solve a standoff with the European Union over Northern Ireland but has not had a lot back, Frost added.

"Our position is that we would like to find negotiated agreements that ... bring it back to the sort of light-touch agreement that we thought we were agreeing," Frost told a parliamentary committee.

"Our frustration ... is that we're not getting a lot of traction, and we feel we have put in a lot of ideas and we haven't had very much back to help move these discussions forward, and meanwhile ... time is running out."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he could trigger emergency measures in the Northern Ireland protocol after its implementation at the beginning of this year has seen disruption to trade between Britain and its province. 
 
"All options remain on the table as regards steps forwards. Obviously, we would prefer to find negotiated ways forward if we can. If that's not possible obviously ... other options remain on the table," Frost told a parliamentary committee.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Ireland's foreign minister said on Tuesday that&nbsp;post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland are not a threat to the territorial integrity of the United Kingdom but simply a means of managing disruption from its exit from the European Union.

"Don't know how many times this needs to be said before it's fully accepted as true. NI (Northern Ireland) Protocol is a technical trading arrangement to manage the disruption of Brexit for the island of Ireland to the greatest extent possible," Simon Coveney said on Twitter.

"It's not about constitutional matters," he said, in response to comments by Britain's Brexit minister David Frost at a parliamentary committee.

Britain is keeping all options on the table as a response in a dispute with the European Union over part of their Brexit deal covering Northern Ireland, Brexit minister David Frost said on Wednesday, adding that talks were not making much progress.

Britain is keeping all options on the table as a response in a dispute with the European Union over part of their Brexit deal covering Northern Ireland, Brexit minister David Frost said on Wednesday, adding that talks were not making much progress. Frustration in the British government is also rising because London has offered a number of proposals to solve a standoff with the European Union over Northern Ireland but has not had a lot back, Frost added. "Our position is that we would like to find negotiated agreements that ... bring it back to the sort of light-touch agreement that we thought we were agreeing," Frost told a parliamentary committee. "Our frustration ... is that we're not getting a lot of traction, and we feel we have put in a lot of ideas and we haven't had very much back to help move these discussions forward, and meanwhile ... time is running out." Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he could trigger emergency measures in the Northern Ireland protocol after its implementation at the beginning of this year has seen disruption to trade between Britain and its province. "All options remain on the table as regards steps forwards. Obviously, we would prefer to find negotiated ways forward if we can. If that's not possible obviously ... other options remain on the table," Frost told a parliamentary committee. Meanwhile, Ireland's foreign minister said on Tuesday that post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland are not a threat to the territorial integrity of the United Kingdom but simply a means of managing disruption from its exit from the European Union. "Don't know how many times this needs to be said before it's fully accepted as true. NI (Northern Ireland) Protocol is a technical trading arrangement to manage the disruption of Brexit for the island of Ireland to the greatest extent possible," Simon Coveney said on Twitter. "It's not about constitutional matters," he said, in response to comments by Britain's Brexit minister David Frost at a parliamentary committee.

Not much progress: Britain keeps all options open in Northern Ireland row

Britain and Australia have agreed a trade deal after talks between their prime ministers ironed out outstanding issues, Australian Minister for Trade Dan Tehan said on Tuesday. 
 
The agreement will be Britain's first trade deal since Brexit, and comes as London seeks to expand commercial and diplomatic links in the Indo-Pacific region. 
 
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his British counterpart Boris Johnson overcame sticking points during talks after the Group of Seven meeting in Britain over the weekend, which Morrison had attended as a guest. 
 
"Both prime ministers have held a positive meeting in London overnight and have resolved outstanding issues” in relation to the trade pact, Tehan said in a statement. 
 
Britain is Australia's eighth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade worth A$26.9 billion ($20.7 billion). Prior to Britain joining the then European common market in 1973, Britain was Australia's most lucrative trading market. 
 
A formal announcement would be made later on Tuesday, Tehan said. 
 
The deal will be keenly scrutinised by British farmers, who fear they could be forced out of business if the deal eliminates tariffs on lamb and beef imports from Australia. 
 
Australian Minister for Trade David Littleproud declined to reveal specifics but said Australian farmers would benefit from the deal. 
 
“Overall, this is going to be a great win for Australian agriculture," Littleproud told 4BC Radio 
 
Though details have still to emerge, some official estimates say the agreement could add 500 million pounds ($705.7 million) to British economic output over the long term. 
 
For Australia, however, analysts questioned the importance for an economy already focused on Asia. 
 
"This free trade agreement is more about symbolism than immediately tangible material benefits," said Ben Wellings, senior lecturer in politics and international relations at Monash University.

Britain and Australia have agreed a trade deal after talks between their prime ministers ironed out outstanding issues, Australian Minister for Trade Dan Tehan said on Tuesday.

Britain and Australia have agreed a trade deal after talks between their prime ministers ironed out outstanding issues, Australian Minister for Trade Dan Tehan said on Tuesday. The agreement will be Britain's first trade deal since Brexit, and comes as London seeks to expand commercial and diplomatic links in the Indo-Pacific region. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his British counterpart Boris Johnson overcame sticking points during talks after the Group of Seven meeting in Britain over the weekend, which Morrison had attended as a guest. "Both prime ministers have held a positive meeting in London overnight and have resolved outstanding issues” in relation to the trade pact, Tehan said in a statement. Britain is Australia's eighth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade worth A$26.9 billion ($20.7 billion). Prior to Britain joining the then European common market in 1973, Britain was Australia's most lucrative trading market. A formal announcement would be made later on Tuesday, Tehan said. The deal will be keenly scrutinised by British farmers, who fear they could be forced out of business if the deal eliminates tariffs on lamb and beef imports from Australia. Australian Minister for Trade David Littleproud declined to reveal specifics but said Australian farmers would benefit from the deal. “Overall, this is going to be a great win for Australian agriculture," Littleproud told 4BC Radio Though details have still to emerge, some official estimates say the agreement could add 500 million pounds ($705.7 million) to British economic output over the long term. For Australia, however, analysts questioned the importance for an economy already focused on Asia. "This free trade agreement is more about symbolism than immediately tangible material benefits," said Ben Wellings, senior lecturer in politics and international relations at Monash University.

Australia touts 'great win' in Britain's first post-Brexit trade deal

Amid rising concern over the deadly Delta variant of COVID in Britain, UK PM Boris Johnson said that he might delay the final lifting of COVID lockdown restrictions in England, Watch this report to know more.

UK PM Boris Johnson voices ’Serious Concern’ over Delta variant

Britain's Queen Elizabeth met US President Joe Biden under the canopy of the world's largest indoor rainforest on Friday as she hosted a reception for leaders of the Group of Seven richest nations, who are holding a three-day summit. 
 
The 95-year-old monarch was joined by the other senior members of the British royal family, with son and heir Prince Charles and his wife Camilla and grandson Prince William and his wife Kate also present. 
 
It was their first major public event together since the funeral in April of Prince Philip, the queen's husband of more than seven decades. 
 
At the reception, held at the Eden Project, whose distinctive bubble-like Biomes house thousands of plant varieties, the queen met Biden as US&nbsp;President for the first time. He is 13th American leader she has met during her record-breaking 69-year reign. 
 
"Joe and I are both looking forward to meeting the queen," Biden's wife Jill, who joined him at the Eden Project event, had said on Thursday. "That's an exciting part of the visit for us." 
 
They are also due to have tea with the monarch at Windsor Castle on Sunday after the summit has concluded. 
 
Following a photocall with the queen, Prince Charles addressed the G7 leaders about his Sustainable Markets Initiative, which aims to involve business and private sector investment in government efforts to combat climate change. 
 
"The fight against this terrible pandemic provides, if ever one was needed, a crystal-clear example of the scale, and sheer speed, at which the global community can tackle crisis when we combine political will with business ingenuity and public mobilisation," the prince told them. 
 
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are doing it for the pandemic. So if you don't mind me saying so, we must also do it for the planet," said Charles, 72, who has spent much of his life campaigning on environmental issues. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth met US President Joe Biden under the canopy of the world's largest indoor rainforest on Friday as she hosted a reception for leaders of the Group of Seven richest nations, who are holding a three-day summit.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth met US President Joe Biden under the canopy of the world's largest indoor rainforest on Friday as she hosted a reception for leaders of the Group of Seven richest nations, who are holding a three-day summit. The 95-year-old monarch was joined by the other senior members of the British royal family, with son and heir Prince Charles and his wife Camilla and grandson Prince William and his wife Kate also present. It was their first major public event together since the funeral in April of Prince Philip, the queen's husband of more than seven decades. At the reception, held at the Eden Project, whose distinctive bubble-like Biomes house thousands of plant varieties, the queen met Biden as US President for the first time. He is 13th American leader she has met during her record-breaking 69-year reign. "Joe and I are both looking forward to meeting the queen," Biden's wife Jill, who joined him at the Eden Project event, had said on Thursday. "That's an exciting part of the visit for us." They are also due to have tea with the monarch at Windsor Castle on Sunday after the summit has concluded. Following a photocall with the queen, Prince Charles addressed the G7 leaders about his Sustainable Markets Initiative, which aims to involve business and private sector investment in government efforts to combat climate change. "The fight against this terrible pandemic provides, if ever one was needed, a crystal-clear example of the scale, and sheer speed, at which the global community can tackle crisis when we combine political will with business ingenuity and public mobilisation," the prince told them. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are doing it for the pandemic. So if you don't mind me saying so, we must also do it for the planet," said Charles, 72, who has spent much of his life campaigning on environmental issues. (With inputs from agencies)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth hosts Biden at G7 reception

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