Former British PM Gordon Brown has warned that 'UK risks becoming a failed state'. How true is this warning? Has the Great Britain really lost itself? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Big warning by former British PM

Relatives of COVID-19 victims have accused government of mishandling the pandemic. Families say that they have been misled by the govt. According to a report, PM Boris Johnson has let govt make several errors while tackling the public health crisis.

UK govt accused of mishandling pandemic, death toll nears 100,000

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says that the new English variant of COVID-19 is much deadlier than what was earlier estimated and is may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.

Johnson says new variant may be associated with a higher degree of mortality

The local authority that runs London's historic financial district is planning to remove statues of two British colonial-era politicians over their links to slave trade.

The City of London Corporation voted on Thursday to remove the statues of two 17th and 18th century figures. The monuments to William Beckford, a former London mayor who drew his wealth from plantations in Jamaica that used slave labour, and John Cass, an MP and major figure in the Royal Africa Company that facilitated the transatlantic slave trade, the authority believes, were made in memory of leaders who had accrued wealth through the slave trade.

They will hence be re-sited.

The corporation launched a public consultation on monuments connected to slavery in September in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests that swept Britain and Europe following the&nbsp;death in US police custody of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, months earlier.

The demonstrations, which culminated in the toppling of a statue of Bristol slave trader Edward Colston during an anti-racism protest, sparked nationwide calls to remove monuments linked to Britain's colonial past.

The movement also faced a significant backlash, particularly after a statue of Britain's wartime prime minister Winston Churchill was targetted by protesters.

Earlier this week, new legal protections came into force meaning historic statues will only be removed in "the most exceptional circumstances".

Under the legislation, if a local authority intends to remove a monument and the national heritage body Historic England objects, the final decision will rest with communities minister Robert Jenrick.

(with inputs)

The local authority that runs London's historic financial district is planning to remove statues of two British colonial-era politicians over their links to slave trade.

The local authority that runs London's historic financial district is planning to remove statues of two British colonial-era politicians over their links to slave trade. The City of London Corporation voted on Thursday to remove the statues of two 17th and 18th century figures. The monuments to William Beckford, a former London mayor who drew his wealth from plantations in Jamaica that used slave labour, and John Cass, an MP and major figure in the Royal Africa Company that facilitated the transatlantic slave trade, the authority believes, were made in memory of leaders who had accrued wealth through the slave trade. They will hence be re-sited. The corporation launched a public consultation on monuments connected to slavery in September in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests that swept Britain and Europe following the death in US police custody of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, months earlier. The demonstrations, which culminated in the toppling of a statue of Bristol slave trader Edward Colston during an anti-racism protest, sparked nationwide calls to remove monuments linked to Britain's colonial past. The movement also faced a significant backlash, particularly after a statue of Britain's wartime prime minister Winston Churchill was targetted by protesters. Earlier this week, new legal protections came into force meaning historic statues will only be removed in "the most exceptional circumstances". Under the legislation, if a local authority intends to remove a monument and the national heritage body Historic England objects, the final decision will rest with communities minister Robert Jenrick. (with inputs)

Two statues in London to be removed because of links to slavery

Dozens of trucks parked up at UK Parliament as shellfish companies protested against Boris Johnson's Brexit deal following issues exporting fish to the EU.

Your Story: UK Seafood trucks parked near Parliament to protest Red Tape

The United Kingdon government is grappling to control the third wave of Coronavirus and in an important announcement, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said that the vaccine will be offered to the entire adult population.

UK: All adult population to get vaccinated by end of September

French fishermen and seafood factories are suspending orders from Britain. UK-EU supply chains have been upended post-Brexit. Fishmongers and the seafood factories are battling to save supplies.

Fishmongers suspend orders from Britain due to delay in arrival

Britain accused China of human rights violations and abuse against its Uighur minority and announced new rules to ban imports of goods suspected of being made using forced labour.

UK condemn Chinese abuse against Uighur minority

A lot is happening in the United Kingdom - with a new mutation of COVID-19, along with the disruption of daily life brought upon by Brexit. Owing to Brexit rules, businesses are drowning. But British members of parliament are busy discussing India.

British colonialists left India 73 years ago, but their colonial hangover seems to be persisting.

India remains a source of endless fascination for English lawmakers. Last week, British parliamentarians were lobbying to repeal India's farm laws. On Monday this week, they were debating minority rights in India. On January 13, they were discussing the political situation in Kashmir.

Parliamentarians are not just discussing India's internal affairs, but are taking sides on the topic of debates, and this has been going on for days. 
 
But what if the Indian parliament began discussing and debating what's happening in Britain? What if Indian MPs were to pass judgment on British policies?

The Windrush political scandal, which was unearthed in the UK revealed how 83 British citizens - mostly blacks were wrongly detained, denied legal rights, threatened and deported by the UK's home office. The country offered an apology to only 18.

In 2011, riots broke out in London after the police shooting of Mark Duggan, a young black British citizen.

Imagine the Indian Parliament debating the 2001 riots in Bradford, Harehills and Oldham, the 1991 riots in Oxford &amp; Dudley, the 1981 riots in Liverpool &amp; Birmingham, or the 1969 unrest in Northern Ireland over the discrimination against Catholic &amp; Irish nationalists.

India did not discuss these in parliament because India respects boundaries. On the other hand, by whipping anti-India rhetoric in Britain, they seek votes.

A lot is happening in the United Kingdom - with a new mutation of COVID-19, along with the disruption of daily life brought upon by Brexit. Owing to Brexit rules, businesses are drowning.

A lot is happening in the United Kingdom - with a new mutation of COVID-19, along with the disruption of daily life brought upon by Brexit. Owing to Brexit rules, businesses are drowning. But British members of parliament are busy discussing India. British colonialists left India 73 years ago, but their colonial hangover seems to be persisting. India remains a source of endless fascination for English lawmakers. Last week, British parliamentarians were lobbying to repeal India's farm laws. On Monday this week, they were debating minority rights in India. On January 13, they were discussing the political situation in Kashmir. Parliamentarians are not just discussing India's internal affairs, but are taking sides on the topic of debates, and this has been going on for days. But what if the Indian parliament began discussing and debating what's happening in Britain? What if Indian MPs were to pass judgment on British policies? The Windrush political scandal, which was unearthed in the UK revealed how 83 British citizens - mostly blacks were wrongly detained, denied legal rights, threatened and deported by the UK's home office. The country offered an apology to only 18. In 2011, riots broke out in London after the police shooting of Mark Duggan, a young black British citizen. Imagine the Indian Parliament debating the 2001 riots in Bradford, Harehills and Oldham, the 1991 riots in Oxford & Dudley, the 1981 riots in Liverpool & Birmingham, or the 1969 unrest in Northern Ireland over the discrimination against Catholic & Irish nationalists. India did not discuss these in parliament because India respects boundaries. On the other hand, by whipping anti-India rhetoric in Britain, they seek votes.

While Britain drowns in domestic problems, its parliamentarians are busy discussing India

Britain will introduce new rules for companies to try to prevent goods linked to China`s Xinjiang region entering the supply chain, foreign minister Dominic Raab said on Tuesday, toughening London`s response to allegations of forced labour. 
 
Addressing parliament, Raab said there was harrowing evidence of forced labour among Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang after the United Nations estimated at least 1 million of the minority among others were held in an internment camp. 
 
Beijing denies the charges. 
 
Raab said Britain wanted to make sure it was free from any products that had links with Xinjiang, where he cited widespread reports of internment camps housing more than 1 million Uighurs, forced labour and the forced sterilisation of Uighur women. 
 
"We must do more and we will," he said. 
 
"Xinjiang`s position in the international supply chain network means that there is a real risk of businesses and public bodies around the world, whether it`s inadvertently or otherwise, sourcing from suppliers which are complicit in the use of forced labour." 
 
It is not clear how many products connected to Xinjiang enter the supply chain in Britain. 
 
Britain`s stance marks a further deteriorataion in its relationship with China just five years after London hailed the start a "golden era" in ties and President Xi Jinping was feted in a state visit to the capital which included a dinner hosted by Queen Elizabeth. 
 
Since then, Britain has criticised China over Hong Kong and ordered the removal of Huawei equipment from its 5G network. 
 
Raab said Britain would check sourcing more thoroughly and toughen the Modern Slavery Act to include fines. It would also bar from government contracts any companies which do not comply to procurement rules, and launch a Xinjiang-specific review of export controls. 
 
"This package put together will help make sure that no British organisations, government or private sector, deliberately or inadvertently are profiting from, or contributing to, human rights violations against the Uighurs or other minorities in Xinjiang," he said. 
 
After Britain finally left the European Union at the end of last year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to forge an independent role for Britain in foreign affairs, and the move was touted as London leading the way. 
 
But the government has so far resisted the calls of some in the ruling Conservative Party to introduce Magnitsky-style sanctions, with Raab saying he was keeping the possibility in reserve. 
 
Magnitsky-style sanctions target individuals accused of committing human rights violations and are named after Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who was arrested in 2008 after alleging that Russian officials were involved in large-scale fraud. He died in a Moscow prison in 2009. 
 
Some opposition lawmakers criticised the government for not going far enough and questioned what kind of impact the new measures would have. 
 
Raab said Britain still wanted a positive and constructive relationship with China "but we won`t sacrifice our values or our security".

Britain will introduce new rules for companies to try to prevent goods linked to China`s Xinjiang region entering the supply chain, foreign minister Dominic Raab said on Tuesday, toughening London`s response to allegations of forced labour.

Britain will introduce new rules for companies to try to prevent goods linked to China`s Xinjiang region entering the supply chain, foreign minister Dominic Raab said on Tuesday, toughening London`s response to allegations of forced labour. Addressing parliament, Raab said there was harrowing evidence of forced labour among Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang after the United Nations estimated at least 1 million of the minority among others were held in an internment camp. Beijing denies the charges. Raab said Britain wanted to make sure it was free from any products that had links with Xinjiang, where he cited widespread reports of internment camps housing more than 1 million Uighurs, forced labour and the forced sterilisation of Uighur women. "We must do more and we will," he said. "Xinjiang`s position in the international supply chain network means that there is a real risk of businesses and public bodies around the world, whether it`s inadvertently or otherwise, sourcing from suppliers which are complicit in the use of forced labour." It is not clear how many products connected to Xinjiang enter the supply chain in Britain. Britain`s stance marks a further deteriorataion in its relationship with China just five years after London hailed the start a "golden era" in ties and President Xi Jinping was feted in a state visit to the capital which included a dinner hosted by Queen Elizabeth. Since then, Britain has criticised China over Hong Kong and ordered the removal of Huawei equipment from its 5G network. Raab said Britain would check sourcing more thoroughly and toughen the Modern Slavery Act to include fines. It would also bar from government contracts any companies which do not comply to procurement rules, and launch a Xinjiang-specific review of export controls. "This package put together will help make sure that no British organisations, government or private sector, deliberately or inadvertently are profiting from, or contributing to, human rights violations against the Uighurs or other minorities in Xinjiang," he said. After Britain finally left the European Union at the end of last year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to forge an independent role for Britain in foreign affairs, and the move was touted as London leading the way. But the government has so far resisted the calls of some in the ruling Conservative Party to introduce Magnitsky-style sanctions, with Raab saying he was keeping the possibility in reserve. Magnitsky-style sanctions target individuals accused of committing human rights violations and are named after Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who was arrested in 2008 after alleging that Russian officials were involved in large-scale fraud. He died in a Moscow prison in 2009. Some opposition lawmakers criticised the government for not going far enough and questioned what kind of impact the new measures would have. Raab said Britain still wanted a positive and constructive relationship with China "but we won`t sacrifice our values or our security".

Toughening stance on China's Xinjiang, Britain introduces new company rules

The British government has started a major expansion of COVID-19 vaccinations and COVID-19 tests being made available more widely to people as part of efforts to control the rapid spread of a new coronavirus variant, which has led to Britain hitting the grim milestone of 81,000 deaths from the virus. 
 
<a href="wionews.com/world/who-experts-to-visit-china-from-thursday-to-investigate-virus-origin-355920">Also read | WHO experts to visit China from Thursday to investigate virus origin</a>

The UK government’s chief medical adviser has said that the next few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic will be the worst as the new highly infectious variants of the virus rampage across the country.

"The next few weeks are going to be the worst weeks of this pandemic in terms of numbers into the NHS (National Health Service)," Chris Whitty said. "What we need to do before the vaccines have had their effect, because it will take several weeks before that happens, we need to really double down." 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-is-the-new-coronavirus-strain-discovered-in-japan-about-355904#new-virus-strain-discovered-in-japan-354578">In pictures | What is the new coronavirus strain discovered in Japan about?</a> 
 
"Anybody who is not shocked by the number of people in hospital who are seriously ill at the moment and who are dying over the course of this pandemic, I think, has not understood this at all. This is an appalling situation," he told BBC TV.

In a bid to get on top of the pandemic and to try to restore some degree of normality by the spring, Britain is planning the country's largest ever vaccination programme, shots initially offered to all those in its top four priority categories - about 15 million people - by the middle of next month.

Having become the first country to approve vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and by Oxford-AstraZeneca, Britain will open seven large-scale vaccination centres as it seeks to reach a target of offering shots to 15 million people by the middle of next month.

"The vaccinations are really beginning to ramp up, 200,000 a day, we've done an incredible job this past week," vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News, saying they would offer shots to those in the highest risk levels, the eldest and frontline health workers, by February 15.

More than 81,400 people in the United Kingdom have died within 28 days of receiving a positive COVID-19 test, the fifth-highest official death toll globally.

On Friday, London's Mayor warned the British capital's hospitals were in danger of being overwhelmed by COVID patients, and ministers and health chiefs have pleaded with people to respect lockdown measures and stay at home unless it was essential to go out.

"We have got to be able to maintain this for several more weeks now," said Whitty, adding it would require "significant action" until sometime in the spring.

"We are now very close to the point, with the vaccinations, where we are able to get on top of this, but it is not yet."

There have been calls for the government to take tougher action against those who break the rules, such as refusing to wear masks in supermarkets, amid concern the disease is being spread by shoppers in the stores.

"These rules are not boundaries to be pushed against. These rules are there to try and make sure we bring this virus under control," Zahawi said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The British government has started a major expansion of COVID-19 vaccinations and COVID-19 tests being made available more widely to people as part of efforts to control the rapid spread of a new coronavirus variant, which has led to Britain hitting the grim milestone of 81,000 deaths from the virus.

The British government has started a major expansion of COVID-19 vaccinations and COVID-19 tests being made available more widely to people as part of efforts to control the rapid spread of a new coronavirus variant, which has led to Britain hitting the grim milestone of 81,000 deaths from the virus. Also read | WHO experts to visit China from Thursday to investigate virus origin The UK government’s chief medical adviser has said that the next few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic will be the worst as the new highly infectious variants of the virus rampage across the country. "The next few weeks are going to be the worst weeks of this pandemic in terms of numbers into the NHS (National Health Service)," Chris Whitty said. "What we need to do before the vaccines have had their effect, because it will take several weeks before that happens, we need to really double down." In pictures | What is the new coronavirus strain discovered in Japan about? "Anybody who is not shocked by the number of people in hospital who are seriously ill at the moment and who are dying over the course of this pandemic, I think, has not understood this at all. This is an appalling situation," he told BBC TV. In a bid to get on top of the pandemic and to try to restore some degree of normality by the spring, Britain is planning the country's largest ever vaccination programme, shots initially offered to all those in its top four priority categories - about 15 million people - by the middle of next month. Having become the first country to approve vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and by Oxford-AstraZeneca, Britain will open seven large-scale vaccination centres as it seeks to reach a target of offering shots to 15 million people by the middle of next month. "The vaccinations are really beginning to ramp up, 200,000 a day, we've done an incredible job this past week," vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News, saying they would offer shots to those in the highest risk levels, the eldest and frontline health workers, by February 15. More than 81,400 people in the United Kingdom have died within 28 days of receiving a positive COVID-19 test, the fifth-highest official death toll globally. On Friday, London's Mayor warned the British capital's hospitals were in danger of being overwhelmed by COVID patients, and ministers and health chiefs have pleaded with people to respect lockdown measures and stay at home unless it was essential to go out. "We have got to be able to maintain this for several more weeks now," said Whitty, adding it would require "significant action" until sometime in the spring. "We are now very close to the point, with the vaccinations, where we are able to get on top of this, but it is not yet." There have been calls for the government to take tougher action against those who break the rules, such as refusing to wear masks in supermarkets, amid concern the disease is being spread by shoppers in the stores. "These rules are not boundaries to be pushed against. These rules are there to try and make sure we bring this virus under control," Zahawi said. (With inputs from agencies)

Britain steps up vaccinations as coronavirus cases surge, worst weeks still to come

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip have received COVID-19 vaccinations on Saturday.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip receives COVID-19 vaccinations

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will pay a virtual visit to London on Sunday. This will be his first such online effort since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out early last year.

The itinerary will include a Sunday event marking the 75th anniversary of the first session of the United Nations General Assembly, which was held at Central Hall in Westminster.&nbsp;

The visit was originally planned to take place in person, but due to Britain's worsening public health situation, London instead arranged for a virtual meeting.

Guterres is expected to call for a renewed global partnership in the face of the challenges currently facing the world, according to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.&nbsp;

On Monday and Tuesday, he is set to participate in a session dedicated to the fight against climate change and will meet for bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his foreign minister Dominic Raab and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, according to Dujarric.&nbsp;

Other than private family trips to Portugal, his home country, Guterres -- whose term ends at the end of the year -- has hardly traveled since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

In December, he was able to make an official trip to Germany to speak to the Bundestag.&nbsp;

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will pay a virtual visit to London on Sunday. This will be his first such online effort since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out early last year.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will pay a virtual visit to London on Sunday. This will be his first such online effort since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out early last year. The itinerary will include a Sunday event marking the 75th anniversary of the first session of the United Nations General Assembly, which was held at Central Hall in Westminster. The visit was originally planned to take place in person, but due to Britain's worsening public health situation, London instead arranged for a virtual meeting. Guterres is expected to call for a renewed global partnership in the face of the challenges currently facing the world, according to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric. On Monday and Tuesday, he is set to participate in a session dedicated to the fight against climate change and will meet for bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his foreign minister Dominic Raab and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, according to Dujarric. Other than private family trips to Portugal, his home country, Guterres -- whose term ends at the end of the year -- has hardly traveled since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. In December, he was able to make an official trip to Germany to speak to the Bundestag.

UN chief to pay virtual visit to Britain

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced another national lockdown. The step has been taken to contain a surge in the COVID-19 cases, threatens to overwhelm the health care system.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces another national lockdown

Britain will become the first country to roll out the low cost and easily transportable AstraZeneca and Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, another step forward in the global response to the pandemic.

Six hospitals in England will administer the first of around 530,000 doses Britain has ready. The programme will be expanded to hundreds of other British sites in the coming days, and the government hopes it will deliver tens of millions of doses within months.

"This is a pivotal moment in our fight against this awful virus and I hope it provides renewed hope to everybody that the end of this pandemic is in sight," health minister Matt Hancock said in a statement.

Last month Britain became the first country to use a different vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech, which has to be stored at very low temperatures. Britain has so far injected around one million people with it.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is cheaper and can be stored at fridge temperature, which makes it easier to transport and use. India approved the vaccine on Sunday for emergency use.

Cases of COVID-19 in Britain have risen sharply in recent weeks, fuelled by a new and more transmissible variant of the virus. On Sunday there were nearly 55,000 new cases and in total more than 75,000 people in the country have died with COVID-19 during the pandemic - the second highest toll in Europe.

While the government has been keen to hail its vaccination programme as the furthest advanced in the world, it has had to balance the optimism of that message and plead with the public to stick to rules to prevent new infections.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday that tougher restrictions were likely to be introduced, even with millions of citizens already living under the strictest tier of rules.

The spread of the variant virus has also forced the government to change its approach to vaccination. Britain is now prioritising getting a first dose of a vaccine to as many people as possible over giving second doses. Delaying the distribution of second shots should help stretch the supply.

The change of strategy has drawn criticism from some British doctors.

Britain will become the first country to roll out the low cost and easily transportable AstraZeneca and Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, another step forward in the global response to the pandemic.

Britain will become the first country to roll out the low cost and easily transportable AstraZeneca and Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, another step forward in the global response to the pandemic. Six hospitals in England will administer the first of around 530,000 doses Britain has ready. The programme will be expanded to hundreds of other British sites in the coming days, and the government hopes it will deliver tens of millions of doses within months. "This is a pivotal moment in our fight against this awful virus and I hope it provides renewed hope to everybody that the end of this pandemic is in sight," health minister Matt Hancock said in a statement. Last month Britain became the first country to use a different vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech, which has to be stored at very low temperatures. Britain has so far injected around one million people with it. The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is cheaper and can be stored at fridge temperature, which makes it easier to transport and use. India approved the vaccine on Sunday for emergency use. Cases of COVID-19 in Britain have risen sharply in recent weeks, fuelled by a new and more transmissible variant of the virus. On Sunday there were nearly 55,000 new cases and in total more than 75,000 people in the country have died with COVID-19 during the pandemic - the second highest toll in Europe. While the government has been keen to hail its vaccination programme as the furthest advanced in the world, it has had to balance the optimism of that message and plead with the public to stick to rules to prevent new infections. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday that tougher restrictions were likely to be introduced, even with millions of citizens already living under the strictest tier of rules. The spread of the variant virus has also forced the government to change its approach to vaccination. Britain is now prioritising getting a first dose of a vaccine to as many people as possible over giving second doses. Delaying the distribution of second shots should help stretch the supply. The change of strategy has drawn criticism from some British doctors.

Britain set to roll out AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine starting today

The UK has abolished the widely unpopular “tampon tax” -- effectively eliminating sales taxes on women's sanitary products. The move was widely praised by women's rights campaigners.

Treasury chief Rishi Sunak had committed to ending the tax on tampons and pads in his budget statement in March. The change, however, could only come into effect on Friday after Britain had finally left the economic orbit of the EU.

Supporters of the country's departure from the European Union also appreciated the decision. They pointed to the abolition of the tampon tax as an early positive change arising from Brexit.

EU law had prevented member states from reducing the rate of value-added tax below 5%, meaning the period products were treated as luxury items and not essentials.

Britain's treasury has previously estimated that the move will save the average woman nearly 40 pounds ($55) over her lifetime.

Britain officially left the bloc’s vast single market for people, goods and services on Thursday.

The UK has abolished the widely unpopular “tampon tax” -- effectively eliminating sales taxes on women's sanitary products. The move was widely praised by women's rights campaigners.

The UK has abolished the widely unpopular “tampon tax” -- effectively eliminating sales taxes on women's sanitary products. The move was widely praised by women's rights campaigners. Treasury chief Rishi Sunak had committed to ending the tax on tampons and pads in his budget statement in March. The change, however, could only come into effect on Friday after Britain had finally left the economic orbit of the EU. Supporters of the country's departure from the European Union also appreciated the decision. They pointed to the abolition of the tampon tax as an early positive change arising from Brexit. EU law had prevented member states from reducing the rate of value-added tax below 5%, meaning the period products were treated as luxury items and not essentials. Britain's treasury has previously estimated that the move will save the average woman nearly 40 pounds ($55) over her lifetime. Britain officially left the bloc’s vast single market for people, goods and services on Thursday.

Post Brexit, UK abolishes ‘tampon tax’

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Europe that Scotland would be back soon, just as the United Kingdom completed its transition period out of the bloc.

“Scotland will be back soon, Europe,” she said on Twitter at 2300 GMT. “Keep the light on.”

The UK formally quit the European Union's single market and customs union at 2300 GMT on Thursday, turning its divorce from Brussels into reality after an 11-month Brexit transition.

"We have our freedom in our hands and it is up to us to make the most of it," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a New Year's message to the nation.

He described it as an "amazing moment" for the country and played up his upbeat narrative of a "Global Britain" unshackled from rules set in Brussels. He vowed that post-Brexit Britain, despite being battered by a surge in coronavirus cases, would be an "open, generous, outward-looking, internationalist and free-trading" country.

To this end, Sturgeon hit out at the agreement reached on Christmas Eve, saying the deal showed it was time for Scotland to 'chart our own future as an independent, European nation'.

She said Britain's departure was happening against her will and accused Johnson of 'cultural vandalism' for ending the Erasmus programme, which allows students to study in Europe.

"Scotland did not vote for any of this and our position is clearer than ever," she said.&nbsp;

"Scotland now has the right to choose its own future as an independent country and once more regain the benefits of EU membership. It beggars belief that in the midst of a pandemic and economic recession, Scotland has been forced out of the EU single market and customs union with all the damage to jobs that will bring.

"A deal is better than No Deal. But, just because, at the 11th hour, the UK Government has decided to abandon the idea of a No Deal outcome, it should not distract from the fact that they have chosen a hard Brexit, stripping away so many of the benefits of EU membership.

"And while we do not yet have full details on the nature of the deal, it appears major promises made by the UK Government on fisheries have been broken and the extent of these broken promises will become apparent to all very soon."

She said people in Scotland had voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, "but their views have been ignored".

The historic post-Brexit deal with the EU on Christmas Eve came four years after 62 per cent of Scots backed remain in the 2016 referendum.

Sturgeon added: 'This is a far harder Brexit than could have been imagined when the EU referendum took place, damaging and disrupting this nation's economy and society at the worst possible time.

"We are doing everything we can to mitigate against the consequences of the UK Government's actions – but we cannot avert every negative outcome.

"We know that businesses are already struggling under the burden of Covid-19, and are now faced with the need to prepare for this hard Brexit in little more than a week's time.

"We will do all we can to help them and are issuing updated information and advice and urge those most affected, including businesses, to prepare.'&nbsp;

Writing on Twitter about the Erasmus programme, Sturgeon said: "There will be lots of focus, rightly, on the economic costs of Brexit. But ending UK participation in Erasmus, an initiative that has expanded opportunities and horizons for so many young people, is cultural vandalism by the UK Government."

Sturgeon's Scottish Nationalist Party plans to go into next year's Holyrood elections aiming for a fresh mandate from voters for a second independence referendum.

The first minister has previously said that if Scotland opted for independence she would try to re-join the EU.&nbsp;

However, questions remain about whether an independent Scotland would be allowed to become a member of the bloc.&nbsp;

It also remains to be seen if the Brexit deal will increase support for independence among Scots.

Legally, Britain left the European Union on January 31 but has been in a standstill transition period during fractious talks to secure a free-trade agreement with Brussels, which was finally clinched on Christmas Eve.

Britain is the first member state to leave the EU, which was set up to forge unity after the horrors of World War II.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Europe that Scotland would be back soon, just as the United Kingdom completed its transition period out of the bloc.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Europe that Scotland would be back soon, just as the United Kingdom completed its transition period out of the bloc. “Scotland will be back soon, Europe,” she said on Twitter at 2300 GMT. “Keep the light on.” The UK formally quit the European Union's single market and customs union at 2300 GMT on Thursday, turning its divorce from Brussels into reality after an 11-month Brexit transition. "We have our freedom in our hands and it is up to us to make the most of it," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a New Year's message to the nation. He described it as an "amazing moment" for the country and played up his upbeat narrative of a "Global Britain" unshackled from rules set in Brussels. He vowed that post-Brexit Britain, despite being battered by a surge in coronavirus cases, would be an "open, generous, outward-looking, internationalist and free-trading" country. To this end, Sturgeon hit out at the agreement reached on Christmas Eve, saying the deal showed it was time for Scotland to 'chart our own future as an independent, European nation'. She said Britain's departure was happening against her will and accused Johnson of 'cultural vandalism' for ending the Erasmus programme, which allows students to study in Europe. "Scotland did not vote for any of this and our position is clearer than ever," she said. "Scotland now has the right to choose its own future as an independent country and once more regain the benefits of EU membership. It beggars belief that in the midst of a pandemic and economic recession, Scotland has been forced out of the EU single market and customs union with all the damage to jobs that will bring. "A deal is better than No Deal. But, just because, at the 11th hour, the UK Government has decided to abandon the idea of a No Deal outcome, it should not distract from the fact that they have chosen a hard Brexit, stripping away so many of the benefits of EU membership. "And while we do not yet have full details on the nature of the deal, it appears major promises made by the UK Government on fisheries have been broken and the extent of these broken promises will become apparent to all very soon." She said people in Scotland had voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, "but their views have been ignored". The historic post-Brexit deal with the EU on Christmas Eve came four years after 62 per cent of Scots backed remain in the 2016 referendum. Sturgeon added: 'This is a far harder Brexit than could have been imagined when the EU referendum took place, damaging and disrupting this nation's economy and society at the worst possible time. "We are doing everything we can to mitigate against the consequences of the UK Government's actions – but we cannot avert every negative outcome. "We know that businesses are already struggling under the burden of Covid-19, and are now faced with the need to prepare for this hard Brexit in little more than a week's time. "We will do all we can to help them and are issuing updated information and advice and urge those most affected, including businesses, to prepare.' Writing on Twitter about the Erasmus programme, Sturgeon said: "There will be lots of focus, rightly, on the economic costs of Brexit. But ending UK participation in Erasmus, an initiative that has expanded opportunities and horizons for so many young people, is cultural vandalism by the UK Government." Sturgeon's Scottish Nationalist Party plans to go into next year's Holyrood elections aiming for a fresh mandate from voters for a second independence referendum. The first minister has previously said that if Scotland opted for independence she would try to re-join the EU. However, questions remain about whether an independent Scotland would be allowed to become a member of the bloc. It also remains to be seen if the Brexit deal will increase support for independence among Scots. Legally, Britain left the European Union on January 31 but has been in a standstill transition period during fractious talks to secure a free-trade agreement with Brussels, which was finally clinched on Christmas Eve. Britain is the first member state to leave the EU, which was set up to forge unity after the horrors of World War II.

'We will be back soon', Scotland's Sturgeon says as Britain exits EU's orbit

British regulators have approved the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine as the country looks to accelerate its inoculation campaign. But Indian regulators have sought more data from the makers of the jab. WION's Palki Sharma has the full report.

Gravitas: Britain approves Astrazeneca-Oxford vaccine

United Kingdom's Prime Minister Boris Johnson will likely to take stock of the current crisis in the nation. So far, the prime minister’s management of Britain’s COVID-19 crisis has been disastrous.

UK PM Boris Johnson expected take stock of the current pandemic situation

India has recorded 14 fresh cases of new coronavirus mutant strain, which was first reported in the UK- taking the total number of such cases to 20.

20 cases of UK strain found in India as the country steps up testing

After his university in Scotland shut down in the spring because of the coronavirus, forcing him to study online from home, Jack Boag kept up his spirits by dreaming of what awaited him in the coming academic year: a semester abroad at the University of Amsterdam.

But his hopes of participating in the European Union-wide student exchange program known as Erasmus were dashed last week after Britain and Europe finally reached a Brexit deal. As part of the announcement, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Britain would withdraw from Erasmus, citing its high costs.

“For me, Erasmus was the most direct benefit of European cooperation,” said Boag, a 20-year-old history and international relations student at the University of Aberdeen. “That’s gone.”

For many young people in Britain, the decision to withdraw from Erasmus is just the most recent step in a steady erosion of such possibilities since the country voted in 2016 to leave the European Union. Once able to study and work anywhere in the European Union without a visa, young Britons will now be treated like people from any other country outside the bloc when it comes to applying for educational programs — or jobs.

The withdrawal is also a blow for Britain’s vaunted universities, a powerful symbol of its soft power in Europe and around the world, and an important source of income for the country. Britain remains second only to the United States as a destination for international students, but leaving Erasmus could deter many EU students who might have used the program as a pathway to a British education.

While this may not affect renowned institutions like Oxford or Cambridge, scores of lesser-known universities could suffer a blow.

Many young people and academics had hoped that Britain would remain part of Erasmus under a status that allows the participation of nonmember states like Turkey and Norway. Johnson said in January that there was “no threat to the Erasmus scheme.

So his announcement Thursday sent shock waves through universities, angered diplomats, and upset British students and professors who have benefited from the program.

“There will be a relative loss of income for British universities, but from a diplomatic and ambassadorial point of view, the loss is invaluable,” said Seán Hand, the vice president in charge of Europe at the University of Warwick, the second-largest source of Erasmus students from Britain.

Britain’s departure from Erasmus, one of the most popular programs in the European Union, may be one of the starkest signs of its divorce from the bloc, a clear signal of its vision for its future relationship with its former partners.

“Erasmus opens people’s horizons and broadens their conceiving of the world,” said John O’Brennan, a professor of European studies at the University of Maynooth in Ireland, where he leads a European integration program financed by Erasmus. “If that’s not the embodiment of the European ideal, I don’t know what it is.”

While exchanges will still be possible between British and European universities through bilateral agreements, British students will not benefit from the monthly grants supplied by Erasmus, now officially known as Erasmus+. It will also be harder for academics and teachers to train or teach abroad.

Students and academics who have secured funds before the Brexit transition period ends on Dec. 31 will be able to go abroad until the end of the 2021-22 academic year, according to Universities U.K., a representative group for the country’s academic institutions.

Since its introduction in 1987, Erasmus has sent millions of people abroad for study exchanges, work placements or traineeships. About 200,000 students participate in the program every year. Alumni often speak fondly of the experience, which they see as the most tangible form of European integration: a way to discover new cultures, study other languages, and make lifelong connections.

“Erasmus is not only the student exchange program it’s known for, it’s also embedded in how the European Union thinks about confronting unemployment and mobility,” said Paul James Cardwell, a law professor at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow who participated in the program in the 1990s.

In Britain, half of the students who study abroad do so through Erasmus. For many, it has shaped personal paths and provided an accessible way to feel connected to mainland Europe.

(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Ben Munster, a 25-year-old British freelance writer who studied in Italy in 2015 and has since moved to Rome, called Erasmus the “purest and most vivid expression of the Schengen dream,” referring to the EU’s passport-free travel zone.

Natalia Barbour, a 22-year-old international communications student at the University of Glasgow who studied in Amsterdam for a semester, said she had wanted to participate since she was in high school. “It makes the university experience more exciting,” she said.

“Everyone wins from it, including professors,” said Mark Berry, a professor in music history at Royal Holloway University of London, who taught in the Netherlands through Erasmus in 2015. “I’d wish I had done more of that when it was still possible.”

In 2019, Britain welcomed more than 30,000 students and trainees through the program.

“So many students come to Britain and go home with a positive experience,” said Cardwell, the University of Strathclyde professor. “It’s such a strong aspect of Britain’s soft power.”

British lawmakers who supported staying in the program wrote in a report last year that opting out would disproportionately affect people from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with medical needs or disabilities.

They also warned that it would be difficult to replace it.

Under the current 2014-20 Erasmus+ program, Britain has contributed around 1.8 billion euros ($2.2 billion) and has received 1 billion euros, according to the Department for Education.

Johnson said last week that a program named after mathematician Alan Turing would replace Erasmus+ and that it would allow students “to go to the best universities in the world.” Starting in September 2021, it will provide funding for around 35,000 students to study abroad, at an annual cost of 100 million pounds. British professors and students from foreign universities would not be eligible for the program.

Britain, however, will still receive funding from the EU’s research and innovation program, Horizon 2020, of which it is the second largest recipient.

Universities U.K. welcomed the Turing program, but other experts called the move shortsighted.

“This will be felt in 20 years,” O’Brennan of the University of Maynooth said. “Britain has miscalculated what it receives from this program.”

Many universities have said they would keep close ties with Europe.

“European universities don’t want the link to be broken, for them it’s very important that their students keep coming to Britain,” said Hand, at the University of Warwick.

For British alumni of the program, the end of Erasmus marked the end of an era — one when they could not only study abroad easily, but also travel across Spain, learn to ski in Austria, or dance at a festival in Denmark.

“That’s what Erasmus is about: It taught me how to appreciate wine and cheese, how to take the time to socialize through hourslong lunches,” said Katy Jones, a 28-year-old who went to France as an Erasmus student and runs an English-language program in Lyon.

Boag, the student in Aberdeen, who is in the third year of a four-year program, said he hoped to apply to postgraduate programs in continental Europe, but that he worried about additional hurdles that have yet to be made clear.

“For Erasmus and so many other things, Brexit is a Pandora’s box,” he said. “We don’t know what’s inside yet, because we’ve just opened it.”

After his university in Scotland shut down in the spring because of the coronavirus, forcing him to study online from home, Jack Boag kept up his spirits by dreaming of what awaited him in the coming academic year: a semester abroad at the University of Amsterdam.

After his university in Scotland shut down in the spring because of the coronavirus, forcing him to study online from home, Jack Boag kept up his spirits by dreaming of what awaited him in the coming academic year: a semester abroad at the University of Amsterdam. But his hopes of participating in the European Union-wide student exchange program known as Erasmus were dashed last week after Britain and Europe finally reached a Brexit deal. As part of the announcement, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Britain would withdraw from Erasmus, citing its high costs. “For me, Erasmus was the most direct benefit of European cooperation,” said Boag, a 20-year-old history and international relations student at the University of Aberdeen. “That’s gone.” For many young people in Britain, the decision to withdraw from Erasmus is just the most recent step in a steady erosion of such possibilities since the country voted in 2016 to leave the European Union. Once able to study and work anywhere in the European Union without a visa, young Britons will now be treated like people from any other country outside the bloc when it comes to applying for educational programs — or jobs. The withdrawal is also a blow for Britain’s vaunted universities, a powerful symbol of its soft power in Europe and around the world, and an important source of income for the country. Britain remains second only to the United States as a destination for international students, but leaving Erasmus could deter many EU students who might have used the program as a pathway to a British education. While this may not affect renowned institutions like Oxford or Cambridge, scores of lesser-known universities could suffer a blow. Many young people and academics had hoped that Britain would remain part of Erasmus under a status that allows the participation of nonmember states like Turkey and Norway. Johnson said in January that there was “no threat to the Erasmus scheme. So his announcement Thursday sent shock waves through universities, angered diplomats, and upset British students and professors who have benefited from the program. “There will be a relative loss of income for British universities, but from a diplomatic and ambassadorial point of view, the loss is invaluable,” said Seán Hand, the vice president in charge of Europe at the University of Warwick, the second-largest source of Erasmus students from Britain. Britain’s departure from Erasmus, one of the most popular programs in the European Union, may be one of the starkest signs of its divorce from the bloc, a clear signal of its vision for its future relationship with its former partners. “Erasmus opens people’s horizons and broadens their conceiving of the world,” said John O’Brennan, a professor of European studies at the University of Maynooth in Ireland, where he leads a European integration program financed by Erasmus. “If that’s not the embodiment of the European ideal, I don’t know what it is.” While exchanges will still be possible between British and European universities through bilateral agreements, British students will not benefit from the monthly grants supplied by Erasmus, now officially known as Erasmus+. It will also be harder for academics and teachers to train or teach abroad. Students and academics who have secured funds before the Brexit transition period ends on Dec. 31 will be able to go abroad until the end of the 2021-22 academic year, according to Universities U.K., a representative group for the country’s academic institutions. Since its introduction in 1987, Erasmus has sent millions of people abroad for study exchanges, work placements or traineeships. About 200,000 students participate in the program every year. Alumni often speak fondly of the experience, which they see as the most tangible form of European integration: a way to discover new cultures, study other languages, and make lifelong connections. “Erasmus is not only the student exchange program it’s known for, it’s also embedded in how the European Union thinks about confronting unemployment and mobility,” said Paul James Cardwell, a law professor at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow who participated in the program in the 1990s. In Britain, half of the students who study abroad do so through Erasmus. For many, it has shaped personal paths and provided an accessible way to feel connected to mainland Europe. (BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.) Ben Munster, a 25-year-old British freelance writer who studied in Italy in 2015 and has since moved to Rome, called Erasmus the “purest and most vivid expression of the Schengen dream,” referring to the EU’s passport-free travel zone. Natalia Barbour, a 22-year-old international communications student at the University of Glasgow who studied in Amsterdam for a semester, said she had wanted to participate since she was in high school. “It makes the university experience more exciting,” she said. “Everyone wins from it, including professors,” said Mark Berry, a professor in music history at Royal Holloway University of London, who taught in the Netherlands through Erasmus in 2015. “I’d wish I had done more of that when it was still possible.” In 2019, Britain welcomed more than 30,000 students and trainees through the program. “So many students come to Britain and go home with a positive experience,” said Cardwell, the University of Strathclyde professor. “It’s such a strong aspect of Britain’s soft power.” British lawmakers who supported staying in the program wrote in a report last year that opting out would disproportionately affect people from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with medical needs or disabilities. They also warned that it would be difficult to replace it. Under the current 2014-20 Erasmus+ program, Britain has contributed around 1.8 billion euros ($2.2 billion) and has received 1 billion euros, according to the Department for Education. Johnson said last week that a program named after mathematician Alan Turing would replace Erasmus+ and that it would allow students “to go to the best universities in the world.” Starting in September 2021, it will provide funding for around 35,000 students to study abroad, at an annual cost of 100 million pounds. British professors and students from foreign universities would not be eligible for the program. Britain, however, will still receive funding from the EU’s research and innovation program, Horizon 2020, of which it is the second largest recipient. Universities U.K. welcomed the Turing program, but other experts called the move shortsighted. “This will be felt in 20 years,” O’Brennan of the University of Maynooth said. “Britain has miscalculated what it receives from this program.” Many universities have said they would keep close ties with Europe. “European universities don’t want the link to be broken, for them it’s very important that their students keep coming to Britain,” said Hand, at the University of Warwick. For British alumni of the program, the end of Erasmus marked the end of an era — one when they could not only study abroad easily, but also travel across Spain, learn to ski in Austria, or dance at a festival in Denmark. “That’s what Erasmus is about: It taught me how to appreciate wine and cheese, how to take the time to socialize through hourslong lunches,” said Katy Jones, a 28-year-old who went to France as an Erasmus student and runs an English-language program in Lyon. Boag, the student in Aberdeen, who is in the third year of a four-year program, said he hoped to apply to postgraduate programs in continental Europe, but that he worried about additional hurdles that have yet to be made clear. “For Erasmus and so many other things, Brexit is a Pandora’s box,” he said. “We don’t know what’s inside yet, because we’ve just opened it.”

Britain mourns a cherished education exchange program ended by Brexit

Six cases of a mutant strain of coronavirus that first surfaced in the UK, have been detected in the country. All six patients have recently returned from the UK, where cases have spiralled within days.

News Alert: Six UK returnees test positive for Mutant Strain

India reported its first six cases of the mutant coronavirus which was first spotted in the UK on Tuesday. Six passengers returning to India from the UK tested positive for the virus. The variant which was first spotted in the UK is reportedly more infectious than the original strain.

According to the Health Ministry, samples of three returnees from the United Kingdom tested positive for the mutant strain from the UK at NIMHANS in Bengaluru, while two tested positive at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad. In addition, one tested positive at the National Institute of Virology in Pune. All six people have been kept in isolation in a single room.

As the UK started vaccinating the masses for the existing novel coronavirus, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced on December 14 that a new variant of the deadly virus has been identified in the country.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/not-out-of-control-says-who-director-general-tedros-adhanom-over-new-covid-19-variant-351484/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Hancock, on Monday, reported at least 60 different local authorities have seen coronavirus infections which stem out of a new and unidentified variant.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-gene-can-protect-you-from-mutant-coronavirus-strains-353069" hreflang="en">This gene can protect you from mutant coronavirus strains</a>

"Over the last few days, thanks to our world-class genomic capability in the UK, we have identified a new variant of coronavirus which may be associated with the faster spread in the South of England," Hancock said.

After the reports of a new variant of COVID-19, World Health Organisation has said that there is no evidence to suggest that the mutation will impact the effectiveness of vaccines against the disease.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/not-true-south-africa-denies-new-variant-is-deadlier-than-uks-strain-352306" hreflang="en">'Not true': South Africa denies new variant is deadlier than UK's strain</a>

"We are aware of this genetic variant I think reported in about 1,000 individuals in England, and the authorities in the UK under Matt Hancock's leadership are obviously looking at the significance of this," WHO Health Emergencies Programme Executive Director Mike Ryan said at a WHO virtual press briefing.

India reported its first six cases of the mutant coronavirus which was first spotted in the UK on Tuesday. Six passengers returning to India from the UK tested positive for the virus.

India reported its first six cases of the mutant coronavirus which was first spotted in the UK on Tuesday. Six passengers returning to India from the UK tested positive for the virus. The variant which was first spotted in the UK is reportedly more infectious than the original strain. According to the Health Ministry, samples of three returnees from the United Kingdom tested positive for the mutant strain from the UK at NIMHANS in Bengaluru, while two tested positive at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad. In addition, one tested positive at the National Institute of Virology in Pune. All six people have been kept in isolation in a single room. As the UK started vaccinating the masses for the existing novel coronavirus, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced on December 14 that a new variant of the deadly virus has been identified in the country. Hancock, on Monday, reported at least 60 different local authorities have seen coronavirus infections which stem out of a new and unidentified variant. Also read: This gene can protect you from mutant coronavirus strains "Over the last few days, thanks to our world-class genomic capability in the UK, we have identified a new variant of coronavirus which may be associated with the faster spread in the South of England," Hancock said. After the reports of a new variant of COVID-19, World Health Organisation has said that there is no evidence to suggest that the mutation will impact the effectiveness of vaccines against the disease. Also read: 'Not true': South Africa denies new variant is deadlier than UK's strain "We are aware of this genetic variant I think reported in about 1,000 individuals in England, and the authorities in the UK under Matt Hancock's leadership are obviously looking at the significance of this," WHO Health Emergencies Programme Executive Director Mike Ryan said at a WHO virtual press briefing.

India reports first six cases of mutant coronavirus from Britain

As the coronavirus pandemic pummels Britain's arts industry, one theatre group has brought their traditional Christmas pantomime into the open by touring car parks across the U.K.

UK theatre group puts on panto in a carpark amid pandemic

Hundreds of tourists from Britain who were forced to quarantine in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier fled overnight in a bid to avoid being isolated during their holidays, as reported by the local municipality.

Over 200 tourists out of the 420 fled the luxury ski station in the Alpines, as reported by the SonntagsZeitung newspaper.

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British tourists were headed to ski resorts in Switzerland, but due to a ban on flights owing to the new strain of COVID-19 in England, those plans were put on hold.

Anyone who arrived in Switzerland from Britain after December 14 is expected to undergo a 10-day quarantine, a move triggered by the discovery of the new coronavirus variant, which is more contagious than the original strain.

Many tourists stayed under quarantine for a day before fleeing the resort after dark. A few left immediately, while some decided to stay on for a bit before quitting.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/after-uk-south-africa-another-coronavirus-variant-emerges-in-nigeria-352189" hreflang="en">After UK, South Africa, another coronavirus variant emerges in Nigeria</a>

"Many of them stayed in quarantine for a day before they set off unnoticed under the cover of darkness," Jean-Marc Sandoz, spokesperson for the Bagnes municipality told SZ. 
Sandoz referred to the situation as the "worst week our community has ever experienced''. 
In terms of Verbier's clientele, British tourists make up 21 per cent, with many usually arriving after Christmas.

Verbier was voted Switzerland's best ski resort for the last two years, and markets itself as a resort which offers "adrenaline-packed thrills, simple pleasures and a chic lifestyle".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/canada-confirms-two-cases-of-coronavirus-variant-first-seen-in-uk-352638" hreflang="en">Canada confirms two cases of coronavirus variant first seen in UK</a>

The tourist office at Verbier has been conducting daily crisis meetings to deal with the threat of COVID-19, and its modifications. 
 
Scientists say the variant is about 40%-70% more transmissible than the original strain. Several other countries, including Australia, Italy and the Netherlands say they detected cases of the new strain. Scientists say there is no evidence that vaccines currently being deployed - including one made by Pfizer and BioNtech - or other COVID-19 shots in development will not protect against this variant.

Hundreds of tourists from Britain who were forced to quarantine in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier fled overnight in a bid to avoid being isolated during their holidays, as reported by the local municipality.

Hundreds of tourists from Britain who were forced to quarantine in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier fled overnight in a bid to avoid being isolated during their holidays, as reported by the local municipality. Over 200 tourists out of the 420 fled the luxury ski station in the Alpines, as reported by the SonntagsZeitung newspaper. British tourists were headed to ski resorts in Switzerland, but due to a ban on flights owing to the new strain of COVID-19 in England, those plans were put on hold. Anyone who arrived in Switzerland from Britain after December 14 is expected to undergo a 10-day quarantine, a move triggered by the discovery of the new coronavirus variant, which is more contagious than the original strain. Many tourists stayed under quarantine for a day before fleeing the resort after dark. A few left immediately, while some decided to stay on for a bit before quitting. Also read: After UK, South Africa, another coronavirus variant emerges in Nigeria "Many of them stayed in quarantine for a day before they set off unnoticed under the cover of darkness," Jean-Marc Sandoz, spokesperson for the Bagnes municipality told SZ. Sandoz referred to the situation as the "worst week our community has ever experienced''. In terms of Verbier's clientele, British tourists make up 21 per cent, with many usually arriving after Christmas. Verbier was voted Switzerland's best ski resort for the last two years, and markets itself as a resort which offers "adrenaline-packed thrills, simple pleasures and a chic lifestyle". Also read: Canada confirms two cases of coronavirus variant first seen in UK The tourist office at Verbier has been conducting daily crisis meetings to deal with the threat of COVID-19, and its modifications. Scientists say the variant is about 40%-70% more transmissible than the original strain. Several other countries, including Australia, Italy and the Netherlands say they detected cases of the new strain. Scientists say there is no evidence that vaccines currently being deployed - including one made by Pfizer and BioNtech - or other COVID-19 shots in development will not protect against this variant.

British tourists flee Swiss resort overnight to escape quarantine amid fears of new covid strain

Britain is set to ban ''buy one get one free'' promotions for food which is high in fat, sugar, and salt content. In addition, the country is set to ban free refills of sugary soft drinks in restaurants starting April 2022.&nbsp;

The government on Monday announced that this constitutes its bigger plans to tackle obesity and to improve general public health.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/britain-set-to-ban-online-advertisements-of-junk-food-to-fight-obesity-342241" hreflang="en">Britain set to ban online advertisements of junk food to fight obesity</a>

Fast food and junk food are responsible for an array for health problems among people. The government claimed that obesity remains one of Britain's biggest long-term public health issue. Almost two-thirds of adults in England are overweight, and one in three children who pass out of primary schools are overweight or obese. 
 
In addition, these measures will also ban advertisements of such products, and will police where the products are advertised. The government will also restrict unhealthy promotions at checkouts, shop entrances, or at the end of aisles.

"We are restricting promotions and introducing a range of measures to make sure the healthy choice is the easy choice. Creating an environment which helps everyone eat healthier foods more regularly is crucial to improving the health of the nation," public health minister Jo Churchill had said. 
 
In July, Britain had put forward plans to restrict ''buy one get one free'' deals on junk food. &nbsp;The country had also announced measures to ban TV and online advertisements for junk food that air before 9 PM.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/regular-intake-of-junk-food-can-affect-chromosomes-related-to-ageing-study-324492" hreflang="en">Regular intake of junk food can affect chromosomes related to ageing: Study</a> 
 
In November, the government suggest banning all online advertisements of unhealthy food. 
 
Besides its previously known health risks, COVID-19 has shown how obesity can cause deaths in people who contract coronavirus, along with serious illnesses.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has used his personal experience with COVID-19 to suggest that he needs to lose weight.

Britain is set to ban ''buy one get one free'' promotions for food which is high in fat, sugar, and salt content. In addition, the country is set to ban free refills of sugary soft drinks in restaurants starting April 2022.

Britain is set to ban ''buy one get one free'' promotions for food which is high in fat, sugar, and salt content. In addition, the country is set to ban free refills of sugary soft drinks in restaurants starting April 2022. The government on Monday announced that this constitutes its bigger plans to tackle obesity and to improve general public health. Also read: Britain set to ban online advertisements of junk food to fight obesity Fast food and junk food are responsible for an array for health problems among people. The government claimed that obesity remains one of Britain's biggest long-term public health issue. Almost two-thirds of adults in England are overweight, and one in three children who pass out of primary schools are overweight or obese. In addition, these measures will also ban advertisements of such products, and will police where the products are advertised. The government will also restrict unhealthy promotions at checkouts, shop entrances, or at the end of aisles. "We are restricting promotions and introducing a range of measures to make sure the healthy choice is the easy choice. Creating an environment which helps everyone eat healthier foods more regularly is crucial to improving the health of the nation," public health minister Jo Churchill had said. In July, Britain had put forward plans to restrict ''buy one get one free'' deals on junk food. The country had also announced measures to ban TV and online advertisements for junk food that air before 9 PM. Also read: Regular intake of junk food can affect chromosomes related to ageing: Study In November, the government suggest banning all online advertisements of unhealthy food. Besides its previously known health risks, COVID-19 has shown how obesity can cause deaths in people who contract coronavirus, along with serious illnesses. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has used his personal experience with COVID-19 to suggest that he needs to lose weight.

Britain to restrict advertisement of unhealthy food starting April 2022

Strong winds were observed in Brighton and Hove on the southern coast of the UK on December 26 as Storm Bella hit the British Isles.

Aberdaron in northern Wales recorded some of the strongest winds with gusts of up to 69 miles per hour, according to the Met Office.&nbsp;

The forecaster said Storm Bella was expected on Boxing Day and Sunday.

In addition, an amber wind warning for Britain’s southern coastal counties was issued.

The Met Office has also warned that power cuts and travel disruption could occur over the weekend due to the bad weather. Gusts are expected to reach up to 70mph in exposed coastal locations. 
&nbsp; 
A yellow wind warning has also been put in place for England and Wales, as well as the far south of Scotland, from the afternoon of December 26.

Strong winds were observed in Brighton and Hove on the southern coast of the UK on December 26 as Storm Bella hit the British Isles. Aberdaron in northern Wales recorded some of the strongest winds with gusts of up to 69 miles per hour, according to the Met Office.

Strong winds were observed in Brighton and Hove on the southern coast of the UK on December 26 as Storm Bella hit the British Isles. Aberdaron in northern Wales recorded some of the strongest winds with gusts of up to 69 miles per hour, according to the Met Office. The forecaster said Storm Bella was expected on Boxing Day and Sunday. In addition, an amber wind warning for Britain’s southern coastal counties was issued. The Met Office has also warned that power cuts and travel disruption could occur over the weekend due to the bad weather. Gusts are expected to reach up to 70mph in exposed coastal locations. A yellow wind warning has also been put in place for England and Wales, as well as the far south of Scotland, from the afternoon of December 26.

Storm Bella brings strong winds and heavy rain to UK

New strains of COVID-19 have stirred new fears among people. After the UK reported a new strain which is more contagious than the original, countries have stepped up measures to identify and isolate. The strain has already been spotted in different countries including Canada, and eight European countries have also found the strain in circulation.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-detects-new-coronavirus-variant-from-s-africa-while-dealing-with-highly-infectious-strain-352065/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Even though vaccination drives against COVID-19 have begun around the world, there’s a lot about the virus scientists still don’t understand.

Scientists in the UK want to get to know the virus better, and to achieve this, they’re infecting 2,500 healthy volunteers with COVID-19. They will attempt to understand how the virus behaves in the body, and how much it takes for the virus to develop, the Sun reported.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/ahead-of-who-probe-china-hails-its-success-curbing-coronavirus-352526" hreflang="en">Ahead of WHO probe, China hails its 'success' curbing coronavirus</a> 
 
The government has put out $45 million for the research, which will be undertaken by the Imperial College, the National Health Service’s Royal Free Hospital, along with a pharmaceutical company hVIVO.

Usually, such studies are shunned due to the ethical questions about infecting healthy people with a virus.

The project will begin in January, with the pilot results expected to come out in May. The volunteers - aged between 18-30 will be given an experimental nasal vaccine, after which they’ll be infected with the virus. 
 
All volunteers will be paid $5,300 for their three-week stay at a hospital, where they will be monitored all day and night, as reported by Mail Online.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/new-research-suggests-coronavirus-causes-a-storm-in-the-brain-352509" hreflang="en">New research suggests coronavirus causes a storm in the brain</a>

Based on this, scientists intend to ascertain how vaccines help in the prevention of COVID-19. 
 
Earlier on Wednesday, British scientists had found that people who develop mild cases of COVID-19 also develop immunity which lasts for at least four months.

New strains of COVID-19 have stirred new fears among people. After the UK reported a new strain which is more contagious than the original, countries have stepped up measures to identify and isolate.

New strains of COVID-19 have stirred new fears among people. After the UK reported a new strain which is more contagious than the original, countries have stepped up measures to identify and isolate. The strain has already been spotted in different countries including Canada, and eight European countries have also found the strain in circulation. Even though vaccination drives against COVID-19 have begun around the world, there’s a lot about the virus scientists still don’t understand. Scientists in the UK want to get to know the virus better, and to achieve this, they’re infecting 2,500 healthy volunteers with COVID-19. They will attempt to understand how the virus behaves in the body, and how much it takes for the virus to develop, the Sun reported. Also read: Ahead of WHO probe, China hails its 'success' curbing coronavirus The government has put out $45 million for the research, which will be undertaken by the Imperial College, the National Health Service’s Royal Free Hospital, along with a pharmaceutical company hVIVO. Usually, such studies are shunned due to the ethical questions about infecting healthy people with a virus. The project will begin in January, with the pilot results expected to come out in May. The volunteers - aged between 18-30 will be given an experimental nasal vaccine, after which they’ll be infected with the virus. All volunteers will be paid $5,300 for their three-week stay at a hospital, where they will be monitored all day and night, as reported by Mail Online. Also read: New research suggests coronavirus causes a storm in the brain Based on this, scientists intend to ascertain how vaccines help in the prevention of COVID-19. Earlier on Wednesday, British scientists had found that people who develop mild cases of COVID-19 also develop immunity which lasts for at least four months.

Britain set to infect 2,500 people with COVID-19 for research

After 10 months of deadlock, Britain and the European Union on Thursday finally finalised the Brexit trade deal.

Both EU and UK expressed optimism on the deal as Britain ends its half a century partnership with the European association.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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Let's take a look at how other European countries reacted on the deal.&nbsp;

<h2>France&nbsp;</h2>

In a tweet, French President Emmanuel Macron said that "Europe's unity and firmness paid off". He also said that the deal will protect Europe's "citizens, fishermen and producers". &nbsp;

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L’unité et la fermeté européennes ont payé. L’accord avec le Royaume-Uni est essentiel pour protéger nos citoyens, nos pêcheurs, nos producteurs. Nous nous assurerons que c’est bien le cas. L’Europe avance et peut regarder vers l’avenir, unie, souveraine et forte.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1342137139354546182?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Germany</h2>

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed confidence that the agreement represents a "good outcome" that Germany would be able to back.

<h2>Spain</h2>

Spanish Prime Minister also welcomed the deal on Twitter but said that the UK and Spain should continue discussions on the status of Gibraltar.

<h2>Italy&nbsp;</h2>

"Good news: deal between the EU and the UK has been agreed," Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte wrote in a tweet, adding that the interests of Europeans have been "guaranteed".

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Good news: deal between the EU and the UK has been agreed. Interests and rights of European businesses and citizens guaranteed. The UK will be a central partner and ally for the EU and Italy.
— Giuseppe Conte (@GiuseppeConteIT) <a href="https://twitter.com/GiuseppeConteIT/status/1342128966425952256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

"The UK will be a central partner and ally for the EU and Italy."

<h2>Northern Ireland&nbsp;</h2>

"This is the start of a new era in the relationship between the UK and the EU and in Northern Ireland we will want to maximise the opportunities the new arrangements provide for our local economy,” said First Minister Arlene Foster.

<h2>Scotland</h2>

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon clearly said that Brexit is happening against "Scotland's will" and said that it's time that the country charts its "own future as an independent European nation".

"Before the spin starts, it’s worth remembering that Brexit is happening against Scotland’s will. And there is no deal that will ever make up for what Brexit takes away from us. It’s time to chart our own future as an independent, European nation," said Sturgeon.&nbsp;

After 10 months of deadlock, Britain and the European Union on Thursday finally finalised the Brexit trade deal. Both EU and UK expressed optimism on the deal as Britain ends its half a century partnership with the European association.

After 10 months of deadlock, Britain and the European Union on Thursday finally finalised the Brexit trade deal. Both EU and UK expressed optimism on the deal as Britain ends its half a century partnership with the European association. Watch | Let's take a look at how other European countries reacted on the deal. France In a tweet, French President Emmanuel Macron said that "Europe's unity and firmness paid off". He also said that the deal will protect Europe's "citizens, fishermen and producers". L’unité et la fermeté européennes ont payé. L’accord avec le Royaume-Uni est essentiel pour protéger nos citoyens, nos pêcheurs, nos producteurs. Nous nous assurerons que c’est bien le cas. L’Europe avance et peut regarder vers l’avenir, unie, souveraine et forte. — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 24, 2020 × Germany German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed confidence that the agreement represents a "good outcome" that Germany would be able to back. Spain Spanish Prime Minister also welcomed the deal on Twitter but said that the UK and Spain should continue discussions on the status of Gibraltar. Italy "Good news: deal between the EU and the UK has been agreed," Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte wrote in a tweet, adding that the interests of Europeans have been "guaranteed". Good news: deal between the EU and the UK has been agreed. Interests and rights of European businesses and citizens guaranteed. The UK will be a central partner and ally for the EU and Italy. — Giuseppe Conte (@GiuseppeConteIT) December 24, 2020 × "The UK will be a central partner and ally for the EU and Italy." Northern Ireland "This is the start of a new era in the relationship between the UK and the EU and in Northern Ireland we will want to maximise the opportunities the new arrangements provide for our local economy,” said First Minister Arlene Foster. Scotland Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon clearly said that Brexit is happening against "Scotland's will" and said that it's time that the country charts its "own future as an independent European nation". "Before the spin starts, it’s worth remembering that Brexit is happening against Scotland’s will. And there is no deal that will ever make up for what Brexit takes away from us. It’s time to chart our own future as an independent, European nation," said Sturgeon.

Scotland lone exception as European nations hail Brexit deal

The European Union and Britain chalked out the final details of a post-Brexit trade deal on Thursday ahead of what negotiators hoped would be a pre-dawn breakthrough.

The two sides are now expected to announce a Christmas Eve trade deal Thursday after ten months of Brexit talks dragged out over yet another late night session.

According to the front pages of several British newspapers, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had emerged victorious in the quest for a pact. In Brussels, however, work continued.

An EU source told AFP that "if all goes well" the two leaders should talk by phone at 0700 GMT to seal the agreement.

While a last-minute deal would avoid the most acrimonious ending to the Brexit divorce, the United Kingdom is heading for a much more distant relationship with its biggest trade partner than almost anyone expected at the time of the 2016 Brexit vote.

Sources in London and Brussels said a deal was close as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a late-night conference call with his Cabinet of senior ministers, and negotiators in Brussels pored over reams of legal trade texts.

But the leaders were not able to announce a deal before Christmas Eve arrived, as they had hoped.&nbsp;

"Brexit work will continue throughout the night," European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer tweeted just after 1.00 am (0000 GMT).

"Grabbing some sleep is recommended to all Brexit-watchers at this point. It will hopefully be an early start tomorrow morning."

"It will hopefully be an early start tomorrow morning," European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer tweeted just after midnight, advising reporters and diplomats alike to grab some sleep as the finishing touches were applied.

Several hours earlier, European officials had confidently told journalists: "We are in the final phase."

There was no official confirmation of a deal but a news conference was expected in London on Thursday morning - just seven days before the UK turns its back on the EU's single market and customs union at 2300 GMT on December 31.

A French government source said UK negotiators had made "huge concessions" on fisheries -- the key sticking point as the clock ticks down to Britain's departure.&nbsp;

The last-gasp deal, if it is reached, would come just days before Britain is set to leave the EU's single market at the end of the year, sparing the two sides from trade tariffs.

The United Kingdom formally left the EU on January 31 but has since been in a transition period under which rules on trade, travel and business remained unchanged. But from the end of this year, it will be treated by Brussels as a third country.

If they have struck a zero-tariff and zero-quota deal, it would safeguard nearly $1 trillion in annual trade, and support the peace in Northern Ireland - a priority for US President-elect Joe Biden, who had warned Johnson that he must uphold the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement.

Even with an accord, some disruption is certain from January 1 when Britain ends its often fraught 48-year relationship with a Franco-German-led project that sought to bind the ruined nations of post-World War Two Europe together as a global power.

The focus in talks had shifted since Monday to cross-Channel calls between Johnson and von der Leyen after exhausted officials failed to close the gap on how to share access to UK fishing waters.

The remaining differences between the two camps were narrow but deep, in particular over fishing, with EU crews facing a dramatic cut in their catch from British waters.

Failure to reach a deal would mean tariffs on cross-Channel trade in food and goods, exacerbating the economic shock of a return to a customs border after 47 years of integration.

The last-gasp deal, if it is confirmed, would come just days before Britain is set to leave the EU's single market at the end of the year, sparing the two sides from trade tariffs.

A deal -- which would still need to be translated and tidied up by lawyers -- could be approved provisionally before the cut-off date and then scrutinised by EU lawmakers in the new year to avoid a cliff-edge.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

The European Union and Britain chalked out the final details of a post-Brexit trade deal on Thursday ahead of what negotiators hoped would be a pre-dawn breakthrough.

The European Union and Britain chalked out the final details of a post-Brexit trade deal on Thursday ahead of what negotiators hoped would be a pre-dawn breakthrough. The two sides are now expected to announce a Christmas Eve trade deal Thursday after ten months of Brexit talks dragged out over yet another late night session. According to the front pages of several British newspapers, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had emerged victorious in the quest for a pact. In Brussels, however, work continued. An EU source told AFP that "if all goes well" the two leaders should talk by phone at 0700 GMT to seal the agreement. While a last-minute deal would avoid the most acrimonious ending to the Brexit divorce, the United Kingdom is heading for a much more distant relationship with its biggest trade partner than almost anyone expected at the time of the 2016 Brexit vote. Sources in London and Brussels said a deal was close as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a late-night conference call with his Cabinet of senior ministers, and negotiators in Brussels pored over reams of legal trade texts. But the leaders were not able to announce a deal before Christmas Eve arrived, as they had hoped. "Brexit work will continue throughout the night," European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer tweeted just after 1.00 am (0000 GMT). "Grabbing some sleep is recommended to all Brexit-watchers at this point. It will hopefully be an early start tomorrow morning." "It will hopefully be an early start tomorrow morning," European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer tweeted just after midnight, advising reporters and diplomats alike to grab some sleep as the finishing touches were applied. Several hours earlier, European officials had confidently told journalists: "We are in the final phase." There was no official confirmation of a deal but a news conference was expected in London on Thursday morning - just seven days before the UK turns its back on the EU's single market and customs union at 2300 GMT on December 31. A French government source said UK negotiators had made "huge concessions" on fisheries -- the key sticking point as the clock ticks down to Britain's departure. The last-gasp deal, if it is reached, would come just days before Britain is set to leave the EU's single market at the end of the year, sparing the two sides from trade tariffs. The United Kingdom formally left the EU on January 31 but has since been in a transition period under which rules on trade, travel and business remained unchanged. But from the end of this year, it will be treated by Brussels as a third country. If they have struck a zero-tariff and zero-quota deal, it would safeguard nearly $1 trillion in annual trade, and support the peace in Northern Ireland - a priority for US President-elect Joe Biden, who had warned Johnson that he must uphold the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement. Even with an accord, some disruption is certain from January 1 when Britain ends its often fraught 48-year relationship with a Franco-German-led project that sought to bind the ruined nations of post-World War Two Europe together as a global power. The focus in talks had shifted since Monday to cross-Channel calls between Johnson and von der Leyen after exhausted officials failed to close the gap on how to share access to UK fishing waters. The remaining differences between the two camps were narrow but deep, in particular over fishing, with EU crews facing a dramatic cut in their catch from British waters. Failure to reach a deal would mean tariffs on cross-Channel trade in food and goods, exacerbating the economic shock of a return to a customs border after 47 years of integration. The last-gasp deal, if it is confirmed, would come just days before Britain is set to leave the EU's single market at the end of the year, sparing the two sides from trade tariffs. A deal -- which would still need to be translated and tidied up by lawyers -- could be approved provisionally before the cut-off date and then scrutinised by EU lawmakers in the new year to avoid a cliff-edge. (with inputs from agencies)

A pre-dawn breakthrough? EU and UK poised to announce Brexit trade deal

U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said that another strain of Coronavirus has detected in the U.K. which has been originated from South Africa.

Today Tonight: New COVID-19 strain from South Africa detected in U.K.

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