G7 leaders are on Saturday set to agree on a joint declaration aimed at preventing another pandemic, as they resume wide-ranging talks at their first in-person summit in almost two years.

G7 leaders are on Saturday set to agree on a joint declaration aimed at preventing another pandemic, as they resume wide-ranging talks at their first in-person summit in almost two years. The group of leading economies -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States -- will also try to showcase Western democratic cohesion against a resurgent China and recalcitrant Russia. They will be joined by the leaders of Australia, South Africa, and South Korea, along with India taking part remotely, as the agenda broadens to foreign policy issues and climate change. The G7 is meeting face to face for the first time since 2019, at a beachside venue in Cornwall, southwest England, after the coronavirus led to the cancellation of last year's summit. The leaders opened the three-day summit Friday with expectations of a pledge to donate one billion vaccine doses to poor countries this year and next -- much too slow to end the crisis now, campaigners said. US President Joe Biden arrived with a message of solidarity and resolve in stark contrast to the isolationist stance of his predecessor Donald Trump. After the traditional family photo and an opening session on "building back better" from Covid-19, the leaders spent the evening at a reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Cornwall's Eden Project. A renowned attraction showcasing the world's ecological riches, the site also hosted a G7 meeting with Prince Charles and 10 international business leaders to discuss ramping up sustainable growth. The G7 this weekend will also tackle climate change, and safeguarding global biodiversity, to lay the groundwork for the UN's pivotal COP26 environmental summit in Scotland in November. The leaders are debating a pledge to protect at least 30 percent of the world's land and oceans by 2030. Shared threats On Saturday's foreign policy agenda, this year's coup in Myanmar and crackdown on pro-democracy supporters in Belarus are expected to figure, alongside tensions with Russia and China. Most of the leaders will reconvene on Monday in Brussels for a NATO meeting, before Biden heads on to his first summit with President Vladimir Putin in Geneva, vowing to deliver a blunt message about Russian behavior. "I'll tell you (about it) after I've delivered it," Biden told reporters Friday. The G7 is expected to finalize the "Carbis Bay Declaration" comprising a series of commitments to prevent a repeat of the devastation wreaked by the coronavirus. "For the first time today, the world's leading democracies have come together to make sure that never again will we be caught unawares," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in remarks released ahead of the summit's second day. "That means learning lessons from the last 18 months and doing it differently next time around." Pandemic radar The declaration will be published Sunday alongside the G7's final communique, following a beachside barbecue on Saturday night. The collective steps include slashing the time taken to develop and license vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics for any future disease to under 100 days while reinforcing global surveillance networks. The leaders will vow to boost genomic sequencing capacity, and support reforms to strengthen the World Health Organization (WHO), according to Johnson's government, which like the US wants China to allow new access to WHO experts to determine how Covid-19 first emerged. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, criticized in some quarters for being too accommodating of China, welcomed the health pact. And he said the UN agency would examine a British proposal to create a "Global Pandemic Radar" to send early warnings of future outbreaks. "The world needs a stronger global surveillance system to detect new epidemic and pandemic risks," Tedros said. The G7 leaders are also expected to outline more help for developing nations to build up infrastructure, as a counterpoint to the debt-fuelled spending by China in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

G7 leaders agree on a joint declaration to stop future pandemics

Britain said on Thursday that G7 leaders will pledge to expand the global vaccination drive by providing at least one billion doses to the world through sharing and financing schemes.

G7 leaders to donate 1 billion vaccine doses worldwide

Despite the relaxation of lockdown restrictions for the summer, a YouGov poll finds that one-third of UK citizens prefer to "stay at home" and avoid social contact.&nbsp;

The United Kingdom has eased restrictions on its economic and social interactions, but the spread of the Covid version, which first appeared in India, threatens the entire easing of prohibitions.&nbsp;

Most coronavirus rules will be removed in the final step of the planned exit from lockdown on June 21, allowing bars and restaurants to reopen at full capacity and nightclubs to reopen for the first time since the pandemic began last spring.&nbsp;

It has been revealed that 33 per cent of Brits are still choosing to stay at home and completely avoid social contact while only 17 per cent say that they would socialise just once a week.&nbsp;

A total of 15 per cent claimed that they planned to meet friends about twice a week, while 9 per cent said that they would meet friends thrice a week.

Wales has the maximum number of residents, a total of 40 per cent, who choose to stay at home. This is even after the country eased lockdown restrictions on May 17.&nbsp;

Age was seen as a major factor in triggering eagerness to socialise and interact with friends. Only 15 per cent of 18–24-year-olds claimed that they would avoid social interactions as compared with 32 per cent of 25–49-year-olds and 42 per cent of 50–64-year-olds.

The research comes after Sir David King of Independent SAGE urged the government to delay easing lockdown by a period of a few weeks as cases soar in the UK.

(With inputs from agencies)

Despite the relaxation of lockdown restrictions for the summer, a YouGov poll finds that one-third of UK citizens prefer to "stay at home" and avoid social contact.

Despite the relaxation of lockdown restrictions for the summer, a YouGov poll finds that one-third of UK citizens prefer to "stay at home" and avoid social contact. The United Kingdom has eased restrictions on its economic and social interactions, but the spread of the Covid version, which first appeared in India, threatens the entire easing of prohibitions. Most coronavirus rules will be removed in the final step of the planned exit from lockdown on June 21, allowing bars and restaurants to reopen at full capacity and nightclubs to reopen for the first time since the pandemic began last spring. It has been revealed that 33 per cent of Brits are still choosing to stay at home and completely avoid social contact while only 17 per cent say that they would socialise just once a week. A total of 15 per cent claimed that they planned to meet friends about twice a week, while 9 per cent said that they would meet friends thrice a week. Wales has the maximum number of residents, a total of 40 per cent, who choose to stay at home. This is even after the country eased lockdown restrictions on May 17. Age was seen as a major factor in triggering eagerness to socialise and interact with friends. Only 15 per cent of 18–24-year-olds claimed that they would avoid social interactions as compared with 32 per cent of 25–49-year-olds and 42 per cent of 50–64-year-olds. The research comes after Sir David King of Independent SAGE urged the government to delay easing lockdown by a period of a few weeks as cases soar in the UK. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: One-third of British people prefer to stay indoors, reveals a new survey

The spread of the Delta variant in Britain has put the June 21 United Kingdom reopening line in doubt. The British Minister has earlier said that the Delta variant has had a very significant impact in the United Kingdom over the last month or so. Watch this report to know more.

UK Environment Secy asks Britons to 'Holiday At Home'

British health minister Matt Hancock has said that it is too early to say whether the government would stick to its plan to fully lift COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in England on June 21.

Britain’s health minister says too early to finalise lockdown easing

British Health Minister Matt Hancock said that it was too early to say whether the government would stick to its plan to fully lift COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in England on June 21.

UK Health Minister: Too early to decide on lockdown

A memorial to almost 22,500 servicemen and women under British command killed during&nbsp;D-Day&nbsp;and subsequent battles is to be unveiled on Sunday in northern France, a tribute seen as a long-overdue commemoration of their sacrifice.

The British Normandy Memorial, inscribed with the names of 22,442 men and women who lost their lives during the invasion of Nazi-occupied France in the summer of 1944, will open on a hillside in the Normandy village of Ver-sur-Mer on the 77th anniversary of the landings.

It overlooks Gold Beach, one of three beaches where British forces landed on the morning of June 6, 1944, to begin the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.

The memorial constructed at a cost of £33 million ($47 million) met by both the UK government and private donors is the first such in Normandy to commemorate those who fell under British command.

"The construction of a national memorial in Normandy has been a long-held ambition of Normandy Veterans, frustrated that Britain alone among the main wartime allies did not have such a memorial," the Normandy Memorial Trust said in a statement ahead of the ceremony.

It consists of a series of 160 standing white stones where the names of the soldiers who fell are inscribed in chronological order from June 6 to August 31, 1944. Some 4,000 tonnes of stone were used.

The British heir to the throne Prince Charles, in a video message shared by the Normandy Memorial Trust, described the memorial as "long overdue".

"I have long been concerned that the memory of these remarkable individuals should be preserved for generations to come as an example of personal courage and sacrifice," he said.

"The memorial... will provide a place of private and perpetual contemplation where visitors will be able to reflect on what we owe to all those who so gallantly carried out their duty with such extraordinary selflessness and resolve," Prince Charles added.

Soldiers from over three dozen nationalities, including from across the Commonwealth and French resistance fighters, served under British command in the landings.

'A lot of research'&nbsp;

Steven Dean, the manager of the project, said he hoped that the site could draw in a quarter of a million visitors every year.

"This is the only place with all the names, so it took a lot of research to find the 22,442," he told AFP.

Until now, the main site of pilgrimage for paying respects to those who died under British command has been the cemetery in the nearby town of Bayeux.

The American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, whose 10,000 graves overlook Omaha Beach, used to welcome some one million visitors annually before the pandemic struck.

The ceremony presided over by the British Ambassador to France Ed Llewellyn, accompanied by French Defence Minister Florence Parly, begins at 0830 GMT.

It will have added symbolism as a sign of the strong historical bonds between the cross-Channel neighbours in the wake of Britain's exit from the European Union.

The site also includes a French Memorial, dedicated to the memory of estimated 20,000 French civilians who died in Normandy as a result of bombing and fighting.

Seventy-seven years on from the Normandy landings, the COVID-19 pandemic means that British survivors will not be able to travel to France for the event. However, they can take part in an online relay being broadcast in the UK.

The June 6, 1944 landings by Allied forces on five Normandy beaches were the biggest naval operation ever in terms of the number of ships deployed and the troops involved.

By the end of what became known as "the longest day", 156,000 Allied troops and 20,000 vehicles had landed in Nazi-occupied northern France despite facing a hail of bullets, artillery and aircraft fire.

A memorial to almost 22,500 servicemen and women under British command killed during D-Day and subsequent battles is to be unveiled on Sunday in northern France, a tribute seen as a long-overdue commemoration of their sacrifice.

A memorial to almost 22,500 servicemen and women under British command killed during D-Day and subsequent battles is to be unveiled on Sunday in northern France, a tribute seen as a long-overdue commemoration of their sacrifice. The British Normandy Memorial, inscribed with the names of 22,442 men and women who lost their lives during the invasion of Nazi-occupied France in the summer of 1944, will open on a hillside in the Normandy village of Ver-sur-Mer on the 77th anniversary of the landings. It overlooks Gold Beach, one of three beaches where British forces landed on the morning of June 6, 1944, to begin the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. The memorial constructed at a cost of £33 million ($47 million) met by both the UK government and private donors is the first such in Normandy to commemorate those who fell under British command. "The construction of a national memorial in Normandy has been a long-held ambition of Normandy Veterans, frustrated that Britain alone among the main wartime allies did not have such a memorial," the Normandy Memorial Trust said in a statement ahead of the ceremony. It consists of a series of 160 standing white stones where the names of the soldiers who fell are inscribed in chronological order from June 6 to August 31, 1944. Some 4,000 tonnes of stone were used. The British heir to the throne Prince Charles, in a video message shared by the Normandy Memorial Trust, described the memorial as "long overdue". "I have long been concerned that the memory of these remarkable individuals should be preserved for generations to come as an example of personal courage and sacrifice," he said. "The memorial... will provide a place of private and perpetual contemplation where visitors will be able to reflect on what we owe to all those who so gallantly carried out their duty with such extraordinary selflessness and resolve," Prince Charles added. Soldiers from over three dozen nationalities, including from across the Commonwealth and French resistance fighters, served under British command in the landings. 'A lot of research' Steven Dean, the manager of the project, said he hoped that the site could draw in a quarter of a million visitors every year. "This is the only place with all the names, so it took a lot of research to find the 22,442," he told AFP. Until now, the main site of pilgrimage for paying respects to those who died under British command has been the cemetery in the nearby town of Bayeux. The American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, whose 10,000 graves overlook Omaha Beach, used to welcome some one million visitors annually before the pandemic struck. The ceremony presided over by the British Ambassador to France Ed Llewellyn, accompanied by French Defence Minister Florence Parly, begins at 0830 GMT. It will have added symbolism as a sign of the strong historical bonds between the cross-Channel neighbours in the wake of Britain's exit from the European Union. The site also includes a French Memorial, dedicated to the memory of estimated 20,000 French civilians who died in Normandy as a result of bombing and fighting. Seventy-seven years on from the Normandy landings, the COVID-19 pandemic means that British survivors will not be able to travel to France for the event. However, they can take part in an online relay being broadcast in the UK. The June 6, 1944 landings by Allied forces on five Normandy beaches were the biggest naval operation ever in terms of the number of ships deployed and the troops involved. By the end of what became known as "the longest day", 156,000 Allied troops and 20,000 vehicles had landed in Nazi-occupied northern France despite facing a hail of bullets, artillery and aircraft fire.

British memorial opens in France to remember D-Day fallen

Britain will have a team of mental health specialists at the Tokyo Olympics to offer support to their athletes and staff, The Times newspaper reported on Friday. 
 
The report said there will be 10 mental health experts who will work under a sports psychologist lead and a doctor for team members at the Games, which are scheduled to begin on July 23. 
 
"We already took mental health very seriously but we recognise such (mental health) issues have never been more acute in everyday life," The Times quoted the BOA as saying. 
 
A Japanese Olympic Committee board member on Friday blasted organisers of the Tokyo Games for ignoring public concerns about holding the global sporting showpiece amid the COVID-19 pandemic but said it was too late to cancel. 
 
Japan has recorded nearly 750,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 13,000 deaths. 
&nbsp;

Britain will have a team of mental health specialists at the Tokyo Olympics to offer support to their athletes and staff, The Times newspaper reported on Friday.

Britain will have a team of mental health specialists at the Tokyo Olympics to offer support to their athletes and staff, The Times newspaper reported on Friday. The report said there will be 10 mental health experts who will work under a sports psychologist lead and a doctor for team members at the Games, which are scheduled to begin on July 23. "We already took mental health very seriously but we recognise such (mental health) issues have never been more acute in everyday life," The Times quoted the BOA as saying. A Japanese Olympic Committee board member on Friday blasted organisers of the Tokyo Games for ignoring public concerns about holding the global sporting showpiece amid the COVID-19 pandemic but said it was too late to cancel. Japan has recorded nearly 750,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 13,000 deaths.

Olympics: Britain to have mental health support for athletes, staff at Tokyo

European Union governments agreed on Wednesday to add Japan to their small list of countries from which they will allow non-essential travel while holding off until at least mid-June for British tourists,&nbsp;EU&nbsp;sources said on Tuesday.

Ambassadors from the&nbsp;EU's 27 countries approved the addition of Japan to the 'white list' at a meeting on Wednesday, with the change to take effect in the coming days.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/only-one-of-three-strains-of-b1617-variant-now-a-variant-of-concern-who-388917">Only one of three strains of B.1.617 variant now a 'variant of concern': WHO</a>

EU&nbsp;countries are recommended gradually to lift travel restrictions for the current seven countries on the list - Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.

Individual&nbsp;EU&nbsp;countries can still opt to demand a negative <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> test or a period of quarantine.

EU&nbsp;last month eased criteria for adding new countries to the list, by changing to 75 from 25 the maximum number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the previous 14 days.

Britain met that revised target but was left off the list because of an increase in COVID-19 cases arising from an infectious <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus</a> variant first identified in India, known as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kappa-delta-who-releases-greek-nomenclature-for-covid-variants-including-ones-found-in-india-388657">"Delta variant"</a>.

WATCH |

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-reports-zero-covid-19-deaths-for-the-first-time-since-july-2020-388963/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Britain recorded no COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, for the first time since March 2020, but cases of the Delta variant doubled last week and the government has said it is too early to say whether Britain can fully drop restrictions on June 21.

EU&nbsp;diplomats said Britain could be added to the list, depending on the course of the variant, in mid-June, when a larger group of countries are expected to be considered.

The list is designed to eliminate the inconsistency of travel restrictions across the bloc.

WATCH |

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/who-says-only-one-strain-of-delta-variant-is-now-of-concern-388961/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

France and Germany have imposed quarantines on&nbsp;UK&nbsp;visitors and Austria banned British tourists, while Portugal and Spain now welcome them.

Meanwhile, Britain advises against travel to all&nbsp;EU&nbsp;countries except Portugal and only exempts people coming from Portugal from a requirement to quarantine.

European Union governments agreed on Wednesday to add Japan to their small list of countries from which they will allow non-essential travel while holding off until at least mid-June for British tourists, EU sources said on Tuesday.

European Union governments agreed on Wednesday to add Japan to their small list of countries from which they will allow non-essential travel while holding off until at least mid-June for British tourists, EU sources said on Tuesday. Ambassadors from the EU's 27 countries approved the addition of Japan to the 'white list' at a meeting on Wednesday, with the change to take effect in the coming days. Also read | Only one of three strains of B.1.617 variant now a 'variant of concern': WHO EU countries are recommended gradually to lift travel restrictions for the current seven countries on the list - Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. Individual EU countries can still opt to demand a negative COVID-19 test or a period of quarantine. EU last month eased criteria for adding new countries to the list, by changing to 75 from 25 the maximum number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the previous 14 days. Britain met that revised target but was left off the list because of an increase in COVID-19 cases arising from an infectious coronavirus variant first identified in India, known as the "Delta variant". WATCH | Britain recorded no COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, for the first time since March 2020, but cases of the Delta variant doubled last week and the government has said it is too early to say whether Britain can fully drop restrictions on June 21. EU diplomats said Britain could be added to the list, depending on the course of the variant, in mid-June, when a larger group of countries are expected to be considered. The list is designed to eliminate the inconsistency of travel restrictions across the bloc. WATCH | France and Germany have imposed quarantines on UK visitors and Austria banned British tourists, while Portugal and Spain now welcome them. Meanwhile, Britain advises against travel to all EU countries except Portugal and only exempts people coming from Portugal from a requirement to quarantine.

EU agrees to add Japan to safe travel list, holds off on Britain over concerns of Delta variant

The United Kingdom has reported zero daily deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, for the first time since last July last year. This comes as the country continues to face rising cases linked to the Delta variant.

UK reports zero COVID-19 deaths for the first time since July 2020

According to reports, British intelligence agencies believe it is “feasible” that the COVID-19 pandemic began with a coronavirus leak from a Chinese bio laboratory. This has prompted Britain's Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi to demand that the WHO must fully investigate the origins of the deadly virus..

Report: British intelligence believes lab-leak theory is 'feasible'

Britain's main opposition Labour Party said it would push for a vote in parliament on Monday over the support of United States' plans to introduce a global minimum corporation tax rate.

World Business Watch: UK's opposition pushes for vote in support of US minimum corporation tax plan

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have sent wedding invitations to family and friends for July 30, 2022, The Sun newspaper reported on Sunday.&nbsp;

Details of the couple’s wedding destination remains a closely guarded secret, according to the British tabloid.

In February 2020, Johnson and Symonds said&nbsp;they were engaged to be married.&nbsp;

Johnson, 56, and Symonds, 33, have been living together in Downing Street since Johnson became prime minister in 2019. They share a son named Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson, born last year.&nbsp;

Johnson, known for his rumpled appearance and flamboyant oratory, was previously married to Marina Wheeler, and they had four children together. They announced in September 2018 that they had separated and would divorce after 25 years of marriage.&nbsp;

Johnson was also married once before Wheeler to Allegra Mostyn-Owen, and Symonds will be his third wife.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have sent wedding invitations to family and friends for July 30, 2022, The Sun newspaper reported on Sunday.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have sent wedding invitations to family and friends for July 30, 2022, The Sun newspaper reported on Sunday. Details of the couple’s wedding destination remains a closely guarded secret, according to the British tabloid. In February 2020, Johnson and Symonds said they were engaged to be married. Johnson, 56, and Symonds, 33, have been living together in Downing Street since Johnson became prime minister in 2019. They share a son named Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson, born last year. Johnson, known for his rumpled appearance and flamboyant oratory, was previously married to Marina Wheeler, and they had four children together. They announced in September 2018 that they had separated and would divorce after 25 years of marriage. Johnson was also married once before Wheeler to Allegra Mostyn-Owen, and Symonds will be his third wife. (With inputs from agencies)

Britain's Prime Minister Johnson to wed fiancee Symonds next summer: Report

Britain's&nbsp;Queen&nbsp;Elizabeth&nbsp;visited the country's&nbsp;new&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;carrier&nbsp;on Saturday, named in her honour before&nbsp;it leads a flotilla of Royal Navy ships to&nbsp;Asian waters on its maiden operational&nbsp;voyage.

The&nbsp;queen, aged 95, stepped aboard the HMS&nbsp;Queen&nbsp;Elizabeth&nbsp;in Portsmouth, seven years after she named the vessel alongside her late husband Prince Philip who died last month.

The 65,000-tonne&nbsp;Queen&nbsp;Elizabeth&nbsp;will carry eight British F-35B fighter jets and 10 US&nbsp;F-35s as well as 250 US&nbsp;marines as part of a 1,700-strong crew.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britains-queen-elizabeth-aircraft-carrier-to-visit-japan-south-korea-on-maiden-deployment-380844">Britain's Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier to visit Japan, South Korea on maiden deployment</a>

It will lead the flotilla alongside two destroyers, two frigates, a submarine and two support ships on its journey of 26,000 nautical miles over 28 weeks. The group will be joined by a US&nbsp;destroyer and a frigate from the Dutch navy.

The group will sail through the contested South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by China and South-East&nbsp;Asian countries, on its way to the Philippine Sea. The ships will also stop in India and Singapore.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uks-largest-naval-ship-to-sail-to-india-next-month-380639">UK's largest naval ship to sail to India next month</a>

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the deployment will help to project British soft power such as a belief in democracy and the rule of law.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth visited the country's new aircraft carrier on Saturday, named in her honour before it leads a flotilla of Royal Navy ships to Asian waters on its maiden operational voyage.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth visited the country's new aircraft carrier on Saturday, named in her honour before it leads a flotilla of Royal Navy ships to Asian waters on its maiden operational voyage. The queen, aged 95, stepped aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth, seven years after she named the vessel alongside her late husband Prince Philip who died last month. The 65,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth will carry eight British F-35B fighter jets and 10 US F-35s as well as 250 US marines as part of a 1,700-strong crew. Also Read | Britain's Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier to visit Japan, South Korea on maiden deployment It will lead the flotilla alongside two destroyers, two frigates, a submarine and two support ships on its journey of 26,000 nautical miles over 28 weeks. The group will be joined by a US destroyer and a frigate from the Dutch navy. The group will sail through the contested South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by China and South-East Asian countries, on its way to the Philippine Sea. The ships will also stop in India and Singapore. Also Read | UK's largest naval ship to sail to India next month British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the deployment will help to project British soft power such as a belief in democracy and the rule of law.

UK's Queen Elizabeth visits new aircraft carrier before Asia voyage

Thousands of demonstrators marched through London and other British cities on Saturday (May 22) to show support for Palestine. The demonstrators protested Israeli air strikes on Gaza during the conflict that raged for 11 days.

The protesters demanded sanctions on Israel during a&nbsp;march in London. Some of them were draped in Palestinian flags and lit red and green flares. Some others carried banners that said "Free Palestine", "Stop bombing Gaza" and "Sanctions on Israel".

A ceasefire on Friday (May 21), mediated by Egypt, ended 11 days of hostilities, during which the Israeli military pounded Gaza with air strikes which it said were a response to rockets fired at Israel by Palestinian militants.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-pro-palestinian-protests-merkel-warns-on-anti-semitism-386747">Ahead of pro-Palestinian protests, Merkel warns on anti-Semitism</a>

Gaza medical officials said 248 people were killed in the Palestinian enclave, and aid officials have expressed concern about the humanitarian situation there.

Health officials said 13 people were killed in Israel in the hostilities, during which the Israeli military said Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other militant groups fired around 4,350 rockets, many of which did not reach Israel or were intercepted.

(With inputs from agencies)

Thousands of demonstrators marched through London and other British cities on Saturday (May 22) to show support for Palestine. The demonstrators protested Israeli air strikes on Gaza during the conflict that raged for 11 days.

Thousands of demonstrators marched through London and other British cities on Saturday (May 22) to show support for Palestine. The demonstrators protested Israeli air strikes on Gaza during the conflict that raged for 11 days. The protesters demanded sanctions on Israel during a march in London. Some of them were draped in Palestinian flags and lit red and green flares. Some others carried banners that said "Free Palestine", "Stop bombing Gaza" and "Sanctions on Israel". A ceasefire on Friday (May 21), mediated by Egypt, ended 11 days of hostilities, during which the Israeli military pounded Gaza with air strikes which it said were a response to rockets fired at Israel by Palestinian militants. Also Read | Ahead of pro-Palestinian protests, Merkel warns on anti-Semitism Gaza medical officials said 248 people were killed in the Palestinian enclave, and aid officials have expressed concern about the humanitarian situation there. Health officials said 13 people were killed in Israel in the hostilities, during which the Israeli military said Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other militant groups fired around 4,350 rockets, many of which did not reach Israel or were intercepted. (With inputs from agencies)

Thousands march in Britain to show support for Palestine

The United Kingdom took a step forward towards some form of normalcy as COVID-19 restrictions have been eased across the country. Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Britons to to remain cautious as the UK continues to monitor rapidly rising cases of the B1.617.2 variant of COVID-19 first identified in India.

COVID-19 restrictions eased in UK, PM Johnson urges Britons to remain cautious

Queen Elizabeth's&nbsp;cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, has been caught offering investors access to the Kremlin in exchange for personal gain, according to a Sunday Times and Channel 4 investigation.

The embarassing claims come at a time of disastrous relations between London and Moscow, notably after the 2018 poisoning of a former Russian spy in England.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="UK nuclear arms plan is illegal: Russian envoy ">UK nuclear arms plan is illegal: Russian envoy &nbsp;</a>

Prince Michael told undercover reporters posing as investors from South Korea in a virtual meeting that for £10,000 (11,500 euros) a day he could make "confidential" representations to Russian President Vladimir Putin's entourage.

Channel 4's Dispatches programme and the weekly newspaper set up a fake South Korean gold company -- House of Haedong.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="UK to increase nuclear weapons stockpile with eye on Russia, China: Reports">UK to increase nuclear weapons stockpile with eye on Russia, China: Reports</a>

The prince said he could also give the company a royal endorsement in a recorded speech for $200,000 dollars (164,000 euros), with his Kensington Palace home as a backdrop.

In a recorded meeting with the undercover reporters, his business partner Lord Reading called the prince "Her Majesty's unofficial ambassador to Russia".

"I think ... this is kind of slightly discreet, we're talking relatively discreetly here," he reportedly said.

"Because we wouldn't want the world to know that he is seeing Putin purely for business reasons, if you follow me."

Reading had used an event at Kensington Palace in 2013, in which the prince was a guest, to sell access to Putin, the investigators said.

The event also offered a chance to personally meet the Russian leader at a future date.

Prince Michael's office told the British Press Association he had no special relations with Putin and "receives no public funding and earns his own living through a consultancy company that he has run for over 40 years.

"They last met in June 2003 and Prince Michael has had no contact with him or his office since then.

"Lord Reading is a good friend, who in trying to help, made suggestions which Prince Michael would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfil."

Reading admitted an error. "I made a mistake and over-promised and for that, I am truly regretful," he said.

The 78-year-old prince was decorated with Russia's Order of Friendship in 2009 when Putin was prime minister.

"Royals for Hire" shows Monday on Channel 4.

Queen Elizabeth's cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, has been caught offering investors access to the Kremlin in exchange for personal gain, according to a Sunday Times and Channel 4 investigation.

Queen Elizabeth's cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, has been caught offering investors access to the Kremlin in exchange for personal gain, according to a Sunday Times and Channel 4 investigation. The embarassing claims come at a time of disastrous relations between London and Moscow, notably after the 2018 poisoning of a former Russian spy in England. Also read | UK nuclear arms plan is illegal: Russian envoy Prince Michael told undercover reporters posing as investors from South Korea in a virtual meeting that for £10,000 (11,500 euros) a day he could make "confidential" representations to Russian President Vladimir Putin's entourage. Channel 4's Dispatches programme and the weekly newspaper set up a fake South Korean gold company -- House of Haedong. Also read | UK to increase nuclear weapons stockpile with eye on Russia, China: Reports The prince said he could also give the company a royal endorsement in a recorded speech for $200,000 dollars (164,000 euros), with his Kensington Palace home as a backdrop. In a recorded meeting with the undercover reporters, his business partner Lord Reading called the prince "Her Majesty's unofficial ambassador to Russia". "I think ... this is kind of slightly discreet, we're talking relatively discreetly here," he reportedly said. "Because we wouldn't want the world to know that he is seeing Putin purely for business reasons, if you follow me." Reading had used an event at Kensington Palace in 2013, in which the prince was a guest, to sell access to Putin, the investigators said. The event also offered a chance to personally meet the Russian leader at a future date. Prince Michael's office told the British Press Association he had no special relations with Putin and "receives no public funding and earns his own living through a consultancy company that he has run for over 40 years. "They last met in June 2003 and Prince Michael has had no contact with him or his office since then. "Lord Reading is a good friend, who in trying to help, made suggestions which Prince Michael would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfil." Reading admitted an error. "I made a mistake and over-promised and for that, I am truly regretful," he said. The 78-year-old prince was decorated with Russia's Order of Friendship in 2009 when Putin was prime minister. "Royals for Hire" shows Monday on Channel 4.

Queen Elizabeth's cousin offerered to sell access to Putin: Report

British Prime Minister&nbsp;Boris&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;will set out on Monday the next phase of lockdown easing in England, giving the green light to "cautious hugging" and allowing pubs to serve customers pints inside after months of strict measures.

Aided by one of the fastest vaccine rollouts in the world, Britain's daily case and death numbers have dropped sharply - reporting just two fatalities on Sunday - enabling it to emerge from a lockdown imposed in January to tackle a second wave.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="UK regulators advise under-40s to get alternative to AstraZeneca vaccine">UK regulators advise under-40s to get alternative to AstraZeneca vaccine</a>

The government set out plans on Friday to slowly reopen international travel and&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;is expected on Monday to confirm that the next set of easing will come into force on May 17, with pubs, restaurants and cinemas opening indoors.

People should also be able to meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors, while six people or two households can meet indoors. The government is also expected to say whether the rules around social distancing with friends and family can ease, prompting headlines about "cautious hugging".

"It does look as if the roadmap is on course," junior minister Nadine Dorries told Sky News. "The prime minister will be making an announcement later this afternoon and he will be detailing how we're going to unlock and when."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="UK returns to normalcy as restrictions ease ">UK returns to normalcy as restrictions ease&nbsp;</a>

Asked by the BBC if people would be told to cautiously cuddle, Dorries replied: "I don't think you can cautiously cuddle but the prime minister is going to make the announcement this afternoon."

That reopening will apply to England only, with the devolved governments of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales setting out their own rules.

Dorries, the minister for mental health, said the government needed to be careful that society did not reopen too quickly however because variants of the coronavirus have been circulating.

According to Johns Hopkins data, Britain has the fifth highest death toll in the world from COVID-19 with 127,605 fatalities. Two thirds of adults in the United Kingdom have had a first vaccine and one third have had both doses.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out on Monday the next phase of lockdown easing in England, giving the green light to "cautious hugging" and allowing pubs to serve customers pints inside after months of strict measures.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out on Monday the next phase of lockdown easing in England, giving the green light to "cautious hugging" and allowing pubs to serve customers pints inside after months of strict measures. Aided by one of the fastest vaccine rollouts in the world, Britain's daily case and death numbers have dropped sharply - reporting just two fatalities on Sunday - enabling it to emerge from a lockdown imposed in January to tackle a second wave. Also read | UK regulators advise under-40s to get alternative to AstraZeneca vaccine The government set out plans on Friday to slowly reopen international travel and Johnson is expected on Monday to confirm that the next set of easing will come into force on May 17, with pubs, restaurants and cinemas opening indoors. People should also be able to meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors, while six people or two households can meet indoors. The government is also expected to say whether the rules around social distancing with friends and family can ease, prompting headlines about "cautious hugging". "It does look as if the roadmap is on course," junior minister Nadine Dorries told Sky News. "The prime minister will be making an announcement later this afternoon and he will be detailing how we're going to unlock and when." Also read | UK returns to normalcy as restrictions ease Asked by the BBC if people would be told to cautiously cuddle, Dorries replied: "I don't think you can cautiously cuddle but the prime minister is going to make the announcement this afternoon." That reopening will apply to England only, with the devolved governments of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales setting out their own rules. Dorries, the minister for mental health, said the government needed to be careful that society did not reopen too quickly however because variants of the coronavirus have been circulating. According to Johns Hopkins data, Britain has the fifth highest death toll in the world from COVID-19 with 127,605 fatalities. Two thirds of adults in the United Kingdom have had a first vaccine and one third have had both doses.

'Cautious hugging' and pints: UK PM Johnson to ease England's lockdown

Pro-independence&nbsp;parties won a majority in Scotland's parliament on Saturday, paving the way to a high-stakes political, legal and constitutional battle with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the future of the United Kingdom.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the result meant she would push ahead with plans for a second&nbsp;independence&nbsp;referendum once the COVID-19 pandemic was over, adding that it would be absurd and outrageous if Johnson were to try to ignore the democratic will of the people.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Scottish National Party projected to fall short of majority">Scottish National Party projected to fall short of majority</a>

"There is simply no democratic justification whatsoever for Boris Johnson, or indeed for anyone else, seeking to block the right of the people of Scotland to choose our own future," Sturgeon said.

"It is the will of the country," she added&nbsp;after&nbsp;her&nbsp;Scottish&nbsp;National Party (SNP) was returned for a fourth consecutive term in office.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Scottish independence party seeks majority in 'knife-edge' count">Scottish independence party seeks majority in 'knife-edge' count</a>

The British government argues Johnson must give approval for any referendum and he has repeatedly made clear he would refuse. He has said it would be irresponsible to hold one now, pointing out that Scots had backed staying in the United Kingdom in a "once in a generation" poll in 2014.

The&nbsp;election&nbsp;outcome is likely to be a bitter clash between the&nbsp;Scottish&nbsp;government in Edinburgh and Johnson's United Kingdom-wide administration in London, with Scotland's 314-year union with England and Wales at stake.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Scotland independence debate dominates UK polls">Scotland independence debate dominates UK polls</a>

The&nbsp;nationalists&nbsp;argue that they have democratic authority on their side; the British government say the law is with them. It is likely the final decision on a referendum will be settled in the courts.

"I think a referendum in the current context is irresponsible and reckless," Johnson told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Alister Jack, the UK government's Scotland minister, said dealing with the coronavirus crisis and the vaccine rollout should be the priority.

"We must not allow ourselves to be distracted - COVID recovery must be the sole priority of Scotland’s two governments," he said.

The SNP had been hopeful of&nbsp;winning an outright majority which would have strengthened their call for a secession&nbsp;vote&nbsp;but they looked set to fall one seat short of the 65 required in the 129-seat&nbsp;Scottish&nbsp;parliament, partly because of an electoral system that helps smaller parties.

Pro-union supporters argue that the SNP's failure to get a majority has made it easier for Johnson to rebut their argument that they have a mandate for a referendum.

However, the&nbsp;Scottish&nbsp;Greens, who have promised to support a referendum, picked up eight seats, meaning overall there will be a comfortable pro-independence&nbsp;majority in the&nbsp;Scottish&nbsp;assembly.

Scottish&nbsp;politics has been diverging from other parts of the United Kingdom for some time, but Scots remain divided over holding another&nbsp;independence&nbsp;plebiscite.

However, Britain's exit from the European Union - opposed by a majority of Scots - as well as a perception that Sturgeon's government has handled the COVID-19 crisis well, along with antipathy to Johnson's Conservative government in London, have all bolstered support for the&nbsp;independence&nbsp;movement.

Scots&nbsp;voted by 55-45 per cent in 2014 to remain part of the United Kingdom, and polls suggest a second referendum would be too close to call.

Sturgeon said her first task was dealing with the pandemic and the SNP has indicated that a referendum is unlikely until 2023. But she said any legal challenge by Johnson's government to a&nbsp;vote&nbsp;would show a total disregard for&nbsp;Scottish&nbsp;democracy.

"The absurdity and outrageous nature of a Westminster government potentially going to court to overturn&nbsp;Scottish&nbsp;democracy, I can't think of a more colourful argument for&nbsp;Scottish&nbsp;independence&nbsp;than that myself," she said.

Pro-independence parties won a majority in Scotland's parliament on Saturday, paving the way to a high-stakes political, legal and constitutional battle with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the future of the United Kingdom.

Pro-independence parties won a majority in Scotland's parliament on Saturday, paving the way to a high-stakes political, legal and constitutional battle with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the future of the United Kingdom. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the result meant she would push ahead with plans for a second independence referendum once the COVID-19 pandemic was over, adding that it would be absurd and outrageous if Johnson were to try to ignore the democratic will of the people. Also read | Scottish National Party projected to fall short of majority "There is simply no democratic justification whatsoever for Boris Johnson, or indeed for anyone else, seeking to block the right of the people of Scotland to choose our own future," Sturgeon said. "It is the will of the country," she added after her Scottish National Party (SNP) was returned for a fourth consecutive term in office. Also read | Scottish independence party seeks majority in 'knife-edge' count The British government argues Johnson must give approval for any referendum and he has repeatedly made clear he would refuse. He has said it would be irresponsible to hold one now, pointing out that Scots had backed staying in the United Kingdom in a "once in a generation" poll in 2014. The election outcome is likely to be a bitter clash between the Scottish government in Edinburgh and Johnson's United Kingdom-wide administration in London, with Scotland's 314-year union with England and Wales at stake. Also read | Scotland independence debate dominates UK polls The nationalists argue that they have democratic authority on their side; the British government say the law is with them. It is likely the final decision on a referendum will be settled in the courts. "I think a referendum in the current context is irresponsible and reckless," Johnson told the Daily Telegraph newspaper. Alister Jack, the UK government's Scotland minister, said dealing with the coronavirus crisis and the vaccine rollout should be the priority. "We must not allow ourselves to be distracted - COVID recovery must be the sole priority of Scotland’s two governments," he said. The SNP had been hopeful of winning an outright majority which would have strengthened their call for a secession vote but they looked set to fall one seat short of the 65 required in the 129-seat Scottish parliament, partly because of an electoral system that helps smaller parties. Pro-union supporters argue that the SNP's failure to get a majority has made it easier for Johnson to rebut their argument that they have a mandate for a referendum. However, the Scottish Greens, who have promised to support a referendum, picked up eight seats, meaning overall there will be a comfortable pro-independence majority in the Scottish assembly. Scottish politics has been diverging from other parts of the United Kingdom for some time, but Scots remain divided over holding another independence plebiscite. However, Britain's exit from the European Union - opposed by a majority of Scots - as well as a perception that Sturgeon's government has handled the COVID-19 crisis well, along with antipathy to Johnson's Conservative government in London, have all bolstered support for the independence movement. Scots voted by 55-45 per cent in 2014 to remain part of the United Kingdom, and polls suggest a second referendum would be too close to call. Sturgeon said her first task was dealing with the pandemic and the SNP has indicated that a referendum is unlikely until 2023. But she said any legal challenge by Johnson's government to a vote would show a total disregard for Scottish democracy. "The absurdity and outrageous nature of a Westminster government potentially going to court to overturn Scottish democracy, I can't think of a more colourful argument for Scottish independence than that myself," she said.

Scottish nationalists vow independence vote after election win

Britain will allow people in England to resume international travel from May 17 but is limiting the number of destinations open for quarantine-free holidays to just a handful of countries as it cautiously emerges from lockdown restrictions.

Portugal, Israel, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore all made the&nbsp;green&nbsp;list&nbsp;for travel in a system that will be reviewed every three weeks, transport minister Grant Shapps said on Friday. Popular destinations such as France, Spain and Greece did not.

Airlines, holiday companies and tourist hotspots in southern Europe have been waiting for over four months for big-spending Britons to start travelling again, but they will have to wait a few months longer for a full rebound to take off.

Left off the&nbsp;list&nbsp;were Spain, France, Italy and the US, the top four most visited countries by UK residents in 2019, which all sit in the amber category, requiring self-isolation on return to the UK.

Despite the limitations, permitting travel abroad is still a welcome boost for the beleaguered sector and should prompt bookings. Britons have been banned from going abroad without an essential reason since early January, a blow for leisure travel and also splitting families who live across different countries.

British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI and others will now likely have to wait until next month for the larger scale re-opening they need to repair their COVID-19 battered finances.

They have argued that Britain's vaccination programme, which has outpaced the rest of Europe, should mean the country can allow more travel sooner, but so far the EU's plans are ahead. It has recommended the arrival of foreign travellers from more countries from June.

Earlier on Friday, the chief executive of British Airways-owner IAG called on the UK and the US&nbsp;to open a travel corridor given their high vaccination rates.

Countries, where Britons might want to travel, will still have their own rules for entry. For example, Britons are currently banned from going to the US

Green&nbsp;list&nbsp;travel will involve people taking two COVID-19 tests, one before arrival back into the UK and one within two days of returning.

Britain will allow people in England to resume international travel from May 17 but is limiting the number of destinations open for quarantine-free holidays to just a handful of countries as it cautiously emerges from lockdown restrictions.

Britain will allow people in England to resume international travel from May 17 but is limiting the number of destinations open for quarantine-free holidays to just a handful of countries as it cautiously emerges from lockdown restrictions. Portugal, Israel, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore all made the green list for travel in a system that will be reviewed every three weeks, transport minister Grant Shapps said on Friday. Popular destinations such as France, Spain and Greece did not. Airlines, holiday companies and tourist hotspots in southern Europe have been waiting for over four months for big-spending Britons to start travelling again, but they will have to wait a few months longer for a full rebound to take off. Left off the list were Spain, France, Italy and the US, the top four most visited countries by UK residents in 2019, which all sit in the amber category, requiring self-isolation on return to the UK. Despite the limitations, permitting travel abroad is still a welcome boost for the beleaguered sector and should prompt bookings. Britons have been banned from going abroad without an essential reason since early January, a blow for leisure travel and also splitting families who live across different countries. British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI and others will now likely have to wait until next month for the larger scale re-opening they need to repair their COVID-19 battered finances. They have argued that Britain's vaccination programme, which has outpaced the rest of Europe, should mean the country can allow more travel sooner, but so far the EU's plans are ahead. It has recommended the arrival of foreign travellers from more countries from June. Earlier on Friday, the chief executive of British Airways-owner IAG called on the UK and the US to open a travel corridor given their high vaccination rates. Countries, where Britons might want to travel, will still have their own rules for entry. For example, Britons are currently banned from going to the US Green list travel will involve people taking two COVID-19 tests, one before arrival back into the UK and one within two days of returning.

After Covid carnage, Britain to reopen travel to limited destinations

The oldest sparring partners of Europe are at it again. They've fought over colonies, they have fought over the seas. And now they are fighting over fish.

It does sound trivial but there's big money in fishing. And right now the stakes could not be higher.

So how did Europe's iron brothers come to a standoff? And where do things go from here? Why are Britain and France sparring?

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Because of the most shoddy bit of deal-making in modern history: Brexit.

Last week, Britain and the EU ratified a post-Brexit agreement. It talks about a new fishing regime in the English channel. This is the waterway that separates Britain from France.

Before Brexit, fishing rights weren't an issue. All EU states shared one common fishing area. But the whole point of Brexit was to change this system. So Britain took back control of its waters. The new agreement allows french fishermen to keep using the channel.

But there is a condition. They can't be first timers. The fishermen must have a history of fishing in British waters.

Now the French say&nbsp;their rights are still being restricted. Not in mainland Britain, But in a crown dependency to the south, the island of Jersey.

Jersey is very close to France, just 22 kilometres away from it. Its distance from mainland Britain is almost 140 kilometres.

A little over 100,000 people live here. And they have their own parliament under the Queen of England. The UK government is responsible for Jersey's defence.

Last Friday, Jersey granted 41 fishing permits. But the fishermen say the permits violated the Brexit agreement. They say additional requirements were added at the last minute. So what did they do?

They gathered their boats and swarmed Jersey. By Thursday morning, 25 French trawlers had arrived. They were threatening to block Jersey's Saint Hellier port.

"We're not happy with the licensing restrictions they handed out to us, we should have had licences to fish as we wished without any restrictions, restrictions on the species. But they impose a restriction on days, some boats will only be able to fish one type of fish when they used to fish three or four," said French fisherman, Laurent Blondel.

But they were not alone in these waters. Britain has deployed two Royal Navy ships to Jersey. HMS Seven and HMS Taymer. They are both armed with two large guns and a short-range anti-aircraft weapon.

What exactly is their mission? Right now, nothing. Downing Street says the ships are there to observe.

Boris Johnson has pledged his unwavering support to Jersey. He says any blockade would be unjustified, but so are naval deployments.

That too over fish.

These are men with fishing nets and harpoons. Hardly a mission for the Royal Navy.

And what about the French? How have they reacted, or over-reacted?

"As you know, the agreement provides for retaliatory measures and these measures of retaliation we are ready to use. Europe, France, has means – they are inscribed in the agreement. In so far as jersey is concerned, I'll remind you, for example, of electricity transportation via undersea cable. So we have the means and even if I regret that we could get to this point, we'll get there if we must," said Annick Girardin, French maritime minister.

The minister is talking about cutting off electricity to Jersey. Most of the island's power comes from France. Almost 95 per cent. It is delivered through three underwater cables.

France is threatening to turn off this tap. They have also deployed a naval patrol of their own.

If this was the Red Sea or the Gulf, we would be having a different discussion.

But this is the English channel. The chances of France and England having a skirmish are practically nil.

But it does reveal the lack of political maturity in Europe. Thursday was election day in Britain. Local body elections.

Some critics say Boris Johnson wanted to flex his muscles ahead of voting. In France, Macron is up for reelection next year. He wants the fishermen on his side. But above all, this standoff is a direct outcome of shoddy dealmaking. The UK just wanted Brexit to be over.

The result was this a lot of contentious issues were ignored. You see, striking a deal and implementing it, are two different things.

And this is just the start of Britain's worries. Because to the north, an even bigger standoff awaits. That of Northern Ireland.

But that's a discussion for another time.

The oldest sparring partners of Europe are at it again. They've fought over colonies, they have fought over the seas. And now they are fighting over fish. It does sound trivial but there's big money in fishing.

The oldest sparring partners of Europe are at it again. They've fought over colonies, they have fought over the seas. And now they are fighting over fish. It does sound trivial but there's big money in fishing. And right now the stakes could not be higher. So how did Europe's iron brothers come to a standoff? And where do things go from here? Why are Britain and France sparring? × Because of the most shoddy bit of deal-making in modern history: Brexit. Last week, Britain and the EU ratified a post-Brexit agreement. It talks about a new fishing regime in the English channel. This is the waterway that separates Britain from France. Before Brexit, fishing rights weren't an issue. All EU states shared one common fishing area. But the whole point of Brexit was to change this system. So Britain took back control of its waters. The new agreement allows french fishermen to keep using the channel. But there is a condition. They can't be first timers. The fishermen must have a history of fishing in British waters. Now the French say their rights are still being restricted. Not in mainland Britain, But in a crown dependency to the south, the island of Jersey. Jersey is very close to France, just 22 kilometres away from it. Its distance from mainland Britain is almost 140 kilometres. A little over 100,000 people live here. And they have their own parliament under the Queen of England. The UK government is responsible for Jersey's defence. Last Friday, Jersey granted 41 fishing permits. But the fishermen say the permits violated the Brexit agreement. They say additional requirements were added at the last minute. So what did they do? They gathered their boats and swarmed Jersey. By Thursday morning, 25 French trawlers had arrived. They were threatening to block Jersey's Saint Hellier port. "We're not happy with the licensing restrictions they handed out to us, we should have had licences to fish as we wished without any restrictions, restrictions on the species. But they impose a restriction on days, some boats will only be able to fish one type of fish when they used to fish three or four," said French fisherman, Laurent Blondel. But they were not alone in these waters. Britain has deployed two Royal Navy ships to Jersey. HMS Seven and HMS Taymer. They are both armed with two large guns and a short-range anti-aircraft weapon. What exactly is their mission? Right now, nothing. Downing Street says the ships are there to observe. Boris Johnson has pledged his unwavering support to Jersey. He says any blockade would be unjustified, but so are naval deployments. That too over fish. These are men with fishing nets and harpoons. Hardly a mission for the Royal Navy. And what about the French? How have they reacted, or over-reacted? "As you know, the agreement provides for retaliatory measures and these measures of retaliation we are ready to use. Europe, France, has means – they are inscribed in the agreement. In so far as jersey is concerned, I'll remind you, for example, of electricity transportation via undersea cable. So we have the means and even if I regret that we could get to this point, we'll get there if we must," said Annick Girardin, French maritime minister. The minister is talking about cutting off electricity to Jersey. Most of the island's power comes from France. Almost 95 per cent. It is delivered through three underwater cables. France is threatening to turn off this tap. They have also deployed a naval patrol of their own. If this was the Red Sea or the Gulf, we would be having a different discussion. But this is the English channel. The chances of France and England having a skirmish are practically nil. But it does reveal the lack of political maturity in Europe. Thursday was election day in Britain. Local body elections. Some critics say Boris Johnson wanted to flex his muscles ahead of voting. In France, Macron is up for reelection next year. He wants the fishermen on his side. But above all, this standoff is a direct outcome of shoddy dealmaking. The UK just wanted Brexit to be over. The result was this a lot of contentious issues were ignored. You see, striking a deal and implementing it, are two different things. And this is just the start of Britain's worries. Because to the north, an even bigger standoff awaits. That of Northern Ireland. But that's a discussion for another time.

Britain and France fight over fish

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives scored a stunning election victory in an&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;stronghold&nbsp;Friday, after Britain held its first major ballot box test since Brexit and the coronavirus crisis.&nbsp;

The "Super Thursday" regional and local elections could reshape the&nbsp;UK&nbsp;as pro-independence forces in Scotland, where voting for the devolved parliament was also held, bid to break away.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Scotland independence debate dominates UK polls">Scotland independence debate dominates UK polls</a>

Results in Scotland are due on Saturday.

But early results from England on Friday showed that the Conservatives had won a landslide in the parliamentary seat of Hartlepool in the northeast, a bitter blow to the&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;Labour&nbsp;Party&nbsp;and its leader Keir Starmer.

Hartlepool, a rust-belt constituency deep in traditional Labour heartlands which has never voted Conservative since its creation in 1974, saw a 16 percent swing to the

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives scored a stunning election victory in an opposition stronghold Friday, after Britain held its first major ballot box test since Brexit and the coronavirus crisis.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives scored a stunning election victory in an opposition stronghold Friday, after Britain held its first major ballot box test since Brexit and the coronavirus crisis. The "Super Thursday" regional and local elections could reshape the UK as pro-independence forces in Scotland, where voting for the devolved parliament was also held, bid to break away. Also read: Scotland independence debate dominates UK polls Results in Scotland are due on Saturday. But early results from England on Friday showed that the Conservatives had won a landslide in the parliamentary seat of Hartlepool in the northeast, a bitter blow to the opposition Labour Party and its leader Keir Starmer. Hartlepool, a rust-belt constituency deep in traditional Labour heartlands which has never voted Conservative since its creation in 1974, saw a 16 percent swing to the

UK ruling party scores crushing win in opposition stronghold

According to the Times newspaper report, everyone aged over 50 in Britain will be offered a third COVID-19 vaccination jab in the autumn in an attempt to eradicate the threat from the infection entirely by Christmas.

People aged over 50 to be offered third COVID-19 vaccine shot in Britain

Foreign&nbsp;ministers&nbsp;of the&nbsp;G7&nbsp;rich countries gather in London on Monday for their&nbsp;first&nbsp;in-person&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;since&nbsp;the COVID-19&nbsp;pandemic&nbsp;began, with British host Dominic Raab opening with talks with US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The week is billed by&nbsp;Britain, which holds the group's rotating presidency, as a chance to reassert the West's influence and address issues such as the coronavirus recovery, climate change and how to deal with China and Russia.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="G7 to come up with mechanism to quickly counter Russian 'propaganda', UK's Raab says">G7 to come up with mechanism to quickly counter Russian 'propaganda', UK's Raab says</a>

The&nbsp;ministers&nbsp;will lay groundwork for US&nbsp;President Joe Biden's&nbsp;first&nbsp;scheduled trip abroad&nbsp;since&nbsp;taking office: a&nbsp;G7&nbsp;summit in&nbsp;Britain&nbsp;next month meant to revive cooperation with traditional allies after years of friction under Donald Trump.

In addition to the&nbsp;G7&nbsp;members Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States,&nbsp;Britain&nbsp;has also invited&nbsp;ministers&nbsp;from Australia, India, South Africa and South Korea this week.&nbsp;Meetings will kick off with dinner on Monday evening.

Before that, Raab and Blinken will meet to discuss shared goals.&nbsp;Britain&nbsp;is keen to capitalise on Biden's willingness to re-engage with global efforts to fight climate change, and to restore a nuclear deal with Iran repudiated by Trump.

Raab said on Sunday the&nbsp;G7&nbsp;would look at a proposal to build a rapid response mechanism to counter Russian disinformation, and, in a reference to China, spoke of the need to stand up for open markets and democracy.

"On all of these areas we want to be absolutely firm, and standing shoulder to shoulder not just with Americans, as important as they are, but also with our wider allies - that's why the&nbsp;G7&nbsp;is so important," Raab said.

Raab and Blinken are also expected to discuss ongoing trade talks with the United States as&nbsp;Britain&nbsp;seeks a so-far elusive deal, touted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as one of the biggest opportunities opened by quitting the European Union.

Foreign ministers of the G7 rich countries gather in London on Monday for their first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with British host Dominic Raab opening with talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Foreign ministers of the G7 rich countries gather in London on Monday for their first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with British host Dominic Raab opening with talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The week is billed by Britain, which holds the group's rotating presidency, as a chance to reassert the West's influence and address issues such as the coronavirus recovery, climate change and how to deal with China and Russia. Also read: G7 to come up with mechanism to quickly counter Russian 'propaganda', UK's Raab says The ministers will lay groundwork for US President Joe Biden's first scheduled trip abroad since taking office: a G7 summit in Britain next month meant to revive cooperation with traditional allies after years of friction under Donald Trump. In addition to the G7 members Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, Britain has also invited ministers from Australia, India, South Africa and South Korea this week. Meetings will kick off with dinner on Monday evening. Before that, Raab and Blinken will meet to discuss shared goals. Britain is keen to capitalise on Biden's willingness to re-engage with global efforts to fight climate change, and to restore a nuclear deal with Iran repudiated by Trump. Raab said on Sunday the G7 would look at a proposal to build a rapid response mechanism to counter Russian disinformation, and, in a reference to China, spoke of the need to stand up for open markets and democracy. "On all of these areas we want to be absolutely firm, and standing shoulder to shoulder not just with Americans, as important as they are, but also with our wider allies - that's why the G7 is so important," Raab said. Raab and Blinken are also expected to discuss ongoing trade talks with the United States as Britain seeks a so-far elusive deal, touted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as one of the biggest opportunities opened by quitting the European Union.

Britain hosts first G7 foreign ministers meeting since start of pandemic

Foreign&nbsp;ministers&nbsp;of the&nbsp;G7&nbsp;rich countries gather in London on Monday for their&nbsp;first&nbsp;in-person&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;since&nbsp;the COVID-19&nbsp;pandemic&nbsp;began, with British host Dominic Raab opening with talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The week is billed by&nbsp;Britain, which holds the group's rotating presidency, as a chance to reassert the West's influence and address issues such as the coronavirus recovery, climate change and how to deal with China and Russia.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="G7 to come up with mechanism to quickly counter Russian 'propaganda', UK's Raab says">G7 to come up with mechanism to quickly counter Russian 'propaganda', UK's Raab says</a>

The&nbsp;ministers&nbsp;will lay groundwork for U.S. President Joe Biden's&nbsp;first&nbsp;scheduled trip abroad&nbsp;since&nbsp;taking office: a&nbsp;G7&nbsp;summit in&nbsp;Britain&nbsp;next month meant to revive cooperation with traditional allies after years of friction under Donald Trump.

In addition to the&nbsp;G7&nbsp;members Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States,&nbsp;Britain&nbsp;has also invited&nbsp;ministers&nbsp;from Australia, India, South Africa and South Korea this week.&nbsp;Meetings will kick off with dinner on Monday evening.

Before that, Raab and Blinken will meet to discuss shared goals.&nbsp;Britain&nbsp;is keen to capitalise on Biden's willingness to re-engage with global efforts to fight climate change, and to restore a nuclear deal with Iran repudiated by Trump.

Raab said on Sunday the&nbsp;G7&nbsp;would look at a proposal to build a rapid response mechanism to counter Russian disinformation, and, in a reference to China, spoke of the need to stand up for open markets and democracy.

"On all of these areas we want to be absolutely firm, and standing shoulder to shoulder not just with Americans, as important as they are, but also with our wider allies - that's why the&nbsp;G7&nbsp;is so important," Raab said.

Raab and Blinken are also expected to discuss ongoing trade talks with the United States as&nbsp;Britain&nbsp;seeks a so-far elusive deal, touted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as one of the biggest opportunities opened by quitting the European Union.

Foreign ministers of the G7 rich countries gather in London on Monday for their first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with British host Dominic Raab opening with talks with U.

Foreign ministers of the G7 rich countries gather in London on Monday for their first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with British host Dominic Raab opening with talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The week is billed by Britain, which holds the group's rotating presidency, as a chance to reassert the West's influence and address issues such as the coronavirus recovery, climate change and how to deal with China and Russia. Also read: G7 to come up with mechanism to quickly counter Russian 'propaganda', UK's Raab says The ministers will lay groundwork for U.S. President Joe Biden's first scheduled trip abroad since taking office: a G7 summit in Britain next month meant to revive cooperation with traditional allies after years of friction under Donald Trump. In addition to the G7 members Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, Britain has also invited ministers from Australia, India, South Africa and South Korea this week. Meetings will kick off with dinner on Monday evening. Before that, Raab and Blinken will meet to discuss shared goals. Britain is keen to capitalise on Biden's willingness to re-engage with global efforts to fight climate change, and to restore a nuclear deal with Iran repudiated by Trump. Raab said on Sunday the G7 would look at a proposal to build a rapid response mechanism to counter Russian disinformation, and, in a reference to China, spoke of the need to stand up for open markets and democracy. "On all of these areas we want to be absolutely firm, and standing shoulder to shoulder not just with Americans, as important as they are, but also with our wider allies - that's why the G7 is so important," Raab said. Raab and Blinken are also expected to discuss ongoing trade talks with the United States as Britain seeks a so-far elusive deal, touted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as one of the biggest opportunities opened by quitting the European Union.

Police arrested nine people, who took part in protests in London on Saturday, demanding that the government reverse planned legislation that would increase police powers.

More than 1,000 people marched through central London and chanted 'Kill the Bill' outside government buildings, as well as dancing to music played from a bus.

A police statement said nine people had been arrested and officers were 'continuing to engage' with protesters, who had gathered in a park in south London after the march.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Thousands join May Day protests across France, police arrest 34">Thousands join May Day protests across France, police arrest 34</a>

Similar protests took place in other cities across England and Wales, including Bristol, which saw several days of clashes between protesters and police in March.

Under the new legislation, the British government wants to increase police powers to block non-violent protests, which have a 'significant disruptive effect' on the public or parliament.

The legislation would target action by groups, such as environmental campaigners Extinction Rebellion, which has organised mass protests to block bridges in recent years and whose members have glued themselves to commuter trains.

London's Tower Bridge was closed to traffic in one direction for around an hour on Saturday after an Extinction Rebellion protester glued himself to the road.

Many protesters on Saturday said they did not trust police to protect them and that the new laws would give authorities too much power to shut down politically awkward protests, such as&nbsp;those by Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion.

"I am really scared by the fact that they want to make protesting an arrestable offence," 30-year-old therapist Jade Rea said.

"I don't think there's any justification for it because the idea of a protest is to disrupt and really bring to people's attention that something urgent is going on," she added.

London police faced criticism from across the political spectrum in March for their handling of a vigil in memory of a murdered woman, Sarah Everard, whose suspected killer was a serving police officer.

Police arrested nine people, who took part in protests in London on Saturday, demanding that the government reverse planned legislation that would increase police powers.

Police arrested nine people, who took part in protests in London on Saturday, demanding that the government reverse planned legislation that would increase police powers. More than 1,000 people marched through central London and chanted 'Kill the Bill' outside government buildings, as well as dancing to music played from a bus. A police statement said nine people had been arrested and officers were 'continuing to engage' with protesters, who had gathered in a park in south London after the march. Also read: Thousands join May Day protests across France, police arrest 34 Similar protests took place in other cities across England and Wales, including Bristol, which saw several days of clashes between protesters and police in March. Under the new legislation, the British government wants to increase police powers to block non-violent protests, which have a 'significant disruptive effect' on the public or parliament. The legislation would target action by groups, such as environmental campaigners Extinction Rebellion, which has organised mass protests to block bridges in recent years and whose members have glued themselves to commuter trains. London's Tower Bridge was closed to traffic in one direction for around an hour on Saturday after an Extinction Rebellion protester glued himself to the road. Many protesters on Saturday said they did not trust police to protect them and that the new laws would give authorities too much power to shut down politically awkward protests, such as those by Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion. "I am really scared by the fact that they want to make protesting an arrestable offence," 30-year-old therapist Jade Rea said. "I don't think there's any justification for it because the idea of a protest is to disrupt and really bring to people's attention that something urgent is going on," she added. London police faced criticism from across the political spectrum in March for their handling of a vigil in memory of a murdered woman, Sarah Everard, whose suspected killer was a serving police officer.

Nine arrested in London protests against greater police powers

The British government&nbsp;has said that Iran's treatment of detained dual national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe amounts to "torture" as Iran sentences her&nbsp;to a further two years.

"I think it amounts to torture the way she's being treated, and there is a very clear, unequivocal obligation on the Iranians to release her," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told BBC television.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is a 43-year-old British-Iranian woman who has been detained in Iran for five years. 
 
Her husband Richard Ratcliffe argues she is being held hostage as part of a diplomatic stratagem.

Richard Ratcliffe has linked his wife's plight to a British debt dating back more than 40 years for army tanks paid for by the shah of Iran.&nbsp;

When the shah was ousted in the 1979 revolution, Britain refused to deliver the tanks to the new Islamic republic.&nbsp;

The Iranian regime claims that the 42-year-old was working against the state when she was arrested on a visit to the country to see her parents with her daughter in April 2016.

(With inputs from agencies)

The British government has said that Iran's treatment of detained dual national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe amounts to "torture" as Iran sentences her to a further two years.

The British government has said that Iran's treatment of detained dual national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe amounts to "torture" as Iran sentences her to a further two years. "I think it amounts to torture the way she's being treated, and there is a very clear, unequivocal obligation on the Iranians to release her," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told BBC television. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is a 43-year-old British-Iranian woman who has been detained in Iran for five years. Her husband Richard Ratcliffe argues she is being held hostage as part of a diplomatic stratagem. Richard Ratcliffe has linked his wife's plight to a British debt dating back more than 40 years for army tanks paid for by the shah of Iran. When the shah was ousted in the 1979 revolution, Britain refused to deliver the tanks to the new Islamic republic. The Iranian regime claims that the 42-year-old was working against the state when she was arrested on a visit to the country to see her parents with her daughter in April 2016. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran's treatment of dual national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is 'torture': UK

Indirect&nbsp;talks&nbsp;between&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and the United States on bringing both sides fully back into compliance with the 2015&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;deal are making steady&nbsp;progress&nbsp;and will&nbsp;resume&nbsp;on&nbsp;Friday, the head of&nbsp;Russia's delegation said on Saturday.

The&nbsp;talks&nbsp;began last month in Vienna with the remaining parties to the deal -&nbsp;Iran,&nbsp;Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany - meeting in the basement of a luxury hotel, and the United States, based in another hotel across the street.&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;has refused to hold direct meetings with US&nbsp;officials.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-welcomes-saudi-arabias-change-of-tone-sees-new-era-of-cooperation-381536">Iran welcomes Saudi Arabia's 'change of tone', sees 'new era of cooperation'</a>

Washington pulled out of the deal in 2018 under President Donald Trump and reimposed sanctions against Tehran.&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;responded as of 2019 by breaching many of the deal's limits on its&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;activities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/despite-concerns-us-pushes-policy-to-improve-nuclear-arsenal-381500">Despite concerns, US pushes policy to improve nuclear arsenal</a>

"We should not expect breakthroughs in the days to come,"&nbsp;Russia's ambassador to the UN&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;watchdog, Mikhail Ulyanov, told reporters after a meeting of the remaining parties that wrapped up the third round of&nbsp;talks. He was the only official to address reporters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-eyes-major-rollback-in-iran-sanctions-to-revive-nuke-deal-381503">US eyes major rollback in Iran sanctions to revive nuke deal</a>

"We need simply to continue diplomatic, day-to-day work, and we have all the reasons to expect that the outcome, (the) final outcome, will be successful and it will come quite soon, in a few weeks," he said, adding that&nbsp;talks&nbsp;will reconvene on&nbsp;Friday.

The break in&nbsp;talks&nbsp;was widely expected as diplomats said officials from several countries are also involved in the Group of Seven foreign ministers' meeting in London that begins on Monday and ends on Wednesday.

Russia&nbsp;is generally one of the more optimistic voices at the&nbsp;talks. US&nbsp;National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on&nbsp;Friday&nbsp;the&nbsp;talks&nbsp;were in "an unclear place", meaning it was uncertain whether they would lead to an agreement.

Indirect talks between Iran and the United States on bringing both sides fully back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal are making steady progress and will resume on Friday, the head of Russia's delegation said on Saturday.

Indirect talks between Iran and the United States on bringing both sides fully back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal are making steady progress and will resume on Friday, the head of Russia's delegation said on Saturday. The talks began last month in Vienna with the remaining parties to the deal - Iran, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany - meeting in the basement of a luxury hotel, and the United States, based in another hotel across the street. Iran has refused to hold direct meetings with US officials. Also read | Iran welcomes Saudi Arabia's 'change of tone', sees 'new era of cooperation' Washington pulled out of the deal in 2018 under President Donald Trump and reimposed sanctions against Tehran. Iran responded as of 2019 by breaching many of the deal's limits on its nuclear activities. Also read | Despite concerns, US pushes policy to improve nuclear arsenal "We should not expect breakthroughs in the days to come," Russia's ambassador to the UN nuclear watchdog, Mikhail Ulyanov, told reporters after a meeting of the remaining parties that wrapped up the third round of talks. He was the only official to address reporters. Also read | US eyes major rollback in Iran sanctions to revive nuke deal "We need simply to continue diplomatic, day-to-day work, and we have all the reasons to expect that the outcome, (the) final outcome, will be successful and it will come quite soon, in a few weeks," he said, adding that talks will reconvene on Friday. The break in talks was widely expected as diplomats said officials from several countries are also involved in the Group of Seven foreign ministers' meeting in London that begins on Monday and ends on Wednesday. Russia is generally one of the more optimistic voices at the talks. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Friday the talks were in "an unclear place", meaning it was uncertain whether they would lead to an agreement.

Iran nuclear talks make progress and will resume Friday, Russia says

Britain said on Friday it would host a summit in 2022 to raise money for vaccine research and development to support an international coalition seeking to speed up the production of shots for future diseases.

Britain is using its presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations to highlight the need to prepare for future pandemics in light of the devastating consequences of the coronavirus crisis.

Britain said the summit with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) next year would support the body`s goal of cutting the development time for new vaccines to 100 days in future pandemics.

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"We look forward to working with CEPI to speed up vaccine development, creating a global solution to ensure we`re better prepared for future pandemics," health minister Matt Hancock said.

The summit is aimed at raising investment from the international community, though there was no immediate word on which governments or organisations would be invited to attend.

CEPI, a partnership created in 2017 between public, private, philanthropic and civil society groups, played a leading role in funding early development of a range of candidate vaccines against COVID-19.

Britain said global health would be on the agenda of a May meeting of G7 foreign ministers, and it would urge international partners to work to strengthen global health security.

"Now is a moment to capitalise on the rare alignment of political will, practical experience, and technical and scientific progress emerging from COVID-19 to prevent such devastation happening again," said Richard Hatchett, Chief Executive of CEPI.

"CEPI has laid out an ambitious plan that aims to dramatically reduce or eliminate the risk of future pandemics and the UK has embraced the central pillar of that plan – the aspiration to compress vaccine development timelines to as little as 100 days – as part of its G7 agenda."

Britain said on Friday it would host a summit in 2022 to raise money for vaccine research and development to support an international coalition seeking to speed up the production of shots for future diseases.

Britain said on Friday it would host a summit in 2022 to raise money for vaccine research and development to support an international coalition seeking to speed up the production of shots for future diseases. Britain is using its presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations to highlight the need to prepare for future pandemics in light of the devastating consequences of the coronavirus crisis. Britain said the summit with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) next year would support the body`s goal of cutting the development time for new vaccines to 100 days in future pandemics. Also read: Britain's Secret Intelligence Service MI6 looking for new 'Q' spy tech master "We look forward to working with CEPI to speed up vaccine development, creating a global solution to ensure we`re better prepared for future pandemics," health minister Matt Hancock said. The summit is aimed at raising investment from the international community, though there was no immediate word on which governments or organisations would be invited to attend. CEPI, a partnership created in 2017 between public, private, philanthropic and civil society groups, played a leading role in funding early development of a range of candidate vaccines against COVID-19. Britain said global health would be on the agenda of a May meeting of G7 foreign ministers, and it would urge international partners to work to strengthen global health security. "Now is a moment to capitalise on the rare alignment of political will, practical experience, and technical and scientific progress emerging from COVID-19 to prevent such devastation happening again," said Richard Hatchett, Chief Executive of CEPI. "CEPI has laid out an ambitious plan that aims to dramatically reduce or eliminate the risk of future pandemics and the UK has embraced the central pillar of that plan – the aspiration to compress vaccine development timelines to as little as 100 days – as part of its G7 agenda."

Britain to host 2022 vaccine summit to prepare for future pandemics

According to a study carried out by Public Health England, single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine can reduce household transmission of the virus by up to half. After this British Health Secretary Matt Hancock has urged everybody to get their vaccines as soon as they are eligible.

Study: One dose of vaccine against COVID-19 halves transmission risk

Britain's parliament called for the government to take action to end what lawmakers described as genocide in China's Xinjiang region. Lawmakers have also called the UK government to use international law to bring the genocide to an end.

UK parliament declares genocide in China's Xinjiang

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