The World War II witnessed a bitter end. But to commemorate Victory Day in Europe, a British intelligence agency revealed the last Nazi message intercepted by them.

Revealed for the first time by the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the message has the final words of a German lieutenant a few moments before he surrendered to British forces.

The message was recorded in Cuxhaven, a town in Northern Germany.

The lieutenant, “Kunkel” had sent his final message to colleagues on May 7, 1945 at 7.35 am.

In the message, Kunkel&nbsp;claimed that they were closing their network “forever” as he bid goodbye to his peers.

“British troops entered Cuxhaven at 14:00 on 6 May - from now on all radio traffic will cease - wishing you all the best. Lt Kunkel," the note says.

<h6><img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e50cbc5-23b4-4f8e-b3a2-016530329c15" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-5_2.jpg" /> 
General view of the Basque town of Guernica after it was bombed 26 April 1937 by the pilots of Adolf Hitler's Condor Legion in an attack that prefigured the massive air raids of World War II | AFP</h6>

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"Closing down for ever - all the best - goodbye”, the message further said.

In another message found by CNN, a solder on the Danish coast asks for spare cigarettes, to which a colleague replied with “no cigarettes here”.

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To mark <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VEDay75?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VEDay75</a> our Historian Tony Comer tells an untold tale from our archives. 
 
For the first time he reveals the final messages intercepted by GCHQ from a German communications network in the days leading up to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VEDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VEDay</a> ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/K7hLcN9c1J">pic.twitter.com/K7hLcN9c1J</a>
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Britain was able to decode German messages in 1940 at the Bletchley Park country estate close to London.

On Friday, 75 years were completed since the end of World War II in Europe.

During the WW2, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, world was divided into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. Eventually, the Nazi empire fell and the era of nuclear weapons began.

The World War II witnessed a bitter end. But to commemorate Victory Day in Europe, a British intelligence agency revealed the last Nazi message intercepted by them.

The World War II witnessed a bitter end. But to commemorate Victory Day in Europe, a British intelligence agency revealed the last Nazi message intercepted by them. Revealed for the first time by the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the message has the final words of a German lieutenant a few moments before he surrendered to British forces. The message was recorded in Cuxhaven, a town in Northern Germany. The lieutenant, “Kunkel” had sent his final message to colleagues on May 7, 1945 at 7.35 am. In the message, Kunkel claimed that they were closing their network “forever” as he bid goodbye to his peers. “British troops entered Cuxhaven at 14:00 on 6 May - from now on all radio traffic will cease - wishing you all the best. Lt Kunkel," the note says. General view of the Basque town of Guernica after it was bombed 26 April 1937 by the pilots of Adolf Hitler's Condor Legion in an attack that prefigured the massive air raids of World War II | AFP "Closing down for ever - all the best - goodbye”, the message further said. In another message found by CNN, a solder on the Danish coast asks for spare cigarettes, to which a colleague replied with “no cigarettes here”. To mark #VEDay75 our Historian Tony Comer tells an untold tale from our archives. For the first time he reveals the final messages intercepted by GCHQ from a German communications network in the days leading up to #VEDay ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/K7hLcN9c1J — GCHQ (@GCHQ) May 8, 2020 × Britain was able to decode German messages in 1940 at the Bletchley Park country estate close to London. On Friday, 75 years were completed since the end of World War II in Europe. During the WW2, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, world was divided into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. Eventually, the Nazi empire fell and the era of nuclear weapons began.

UK reveals last recorded Nazi message to commemorate the end of World War II

With each passing day, the UK's misery is only increasing and the coronavirus is behind the economic seizure. It is the second most-affected country in the world due to the pandemic.&nbsp;

The country is now facing the risk of an economic collapse not seen in 300 years. The Bank of England says the economy will fall by 14 per cent this year.

Among the dust-gathering files, the UK's central bank found a similar event that literally put the economy in a deep freeze. It was the great frost of 1709. 
&nbsp; 
So this collapse is the worst in 300 years. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has a tough task. Over 200,000 coronavirus cases and 30,000 deaths have been reported so far. No wonder, the newly-elected leader of opposition Keir Starmer questioned the PM with utter perplexity.

On top of this, the UK government is planning to ease the lockdown restrictions next week.&nbsp;

But, companies say reopening will be difficult. Ao, why is Boris Johnson rushing to open up the economy?&nbsp; 
The answer lies with this man chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak who has spent over eight billion pounds to save 6.3 million jobs at some 800,000 firms.

And this is just one of the many schemes announced to cushion the economy. So, the government is running low on funds both to fight the pandemic, and to rescue the economy.

Unemployment will rise above 9 per cent by the end of this year. Inflation could drop to zero next year. As of now, it remains below 2 per cent due to the fall in consumer spending by 30 per cent in recent weeks.

Interest rates are at a record low of 0.1 per cent, but British firms are in no position to take more loans. Three sectors are the worst hit - aviation, steel and auto. Their combined output is set to fall by 55 per cent. 
 
Johnson is due to announce the next steps in Britain’s battle to tackle the novel coronavirus on Sunday following a review by ministers of the current measures that have all but shut the economy and kept millions at home. 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

With each passing day, the UK's misery is only increasing and the coronavirus is behind the economic seizure. It is the second most-affected country in the world due to the pandemic.

With each passing day, the UK's misery is only increasing and the coronavirus is behind the economic seizure. It is the second most-affected country in the world due to the pandemic. The country is now facing the risk of an economic collapse not seen in 300 years. The Bank of England says the economy will fall by 14 per cent this year. Among the dust-gathering files, the UK's central bank found a similar event that literally put the economy in a deep freeze. It was the great frost of 1709. So this collapse is the worst in 300 years. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has a tough task. Over 200,000 coronavirus cases and 30,000 deaths have been reported so far. No wonder, the newly-elected leader of opposition Keir Starmer questioned the PM with utter perplexity. On top of this, the UK government is planning to ease the lockdown restrictions next week. But, companies say reopening will be difficult. Ao, why is Boris Johnson rushing to open up the economy? The answer lies with this man chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak who has spent over eight billion pounds to save 6.3 million jobs at some 800,000 firms. And this is just one of the many schemes announced to cushion the economy. So, the government is running low on funds both to fight the pandemic, and to rescue the economy. Unemployment will rise above 9 per cent by the end of this year. Inflation could drop to zero next year. As of now, it remains below 2 per cent due to the fall in consumer spending by 30 per cent in recent weeks. Interest rates are at a record low of 0.1 per cent, but British firms are in no position to take more loans. Three sectors are the worst hit - aviation, steel and auto. Their combined output is set to fall by 55 per cent. Johnson is due to announce the next steps in Britain’s battle to tackle the novel coronavirus on Sunday following a review by ministers of the current measures that have all but shut the economy and kept millions at home.

UK economy faces deepest downturn

Kate, Britain`s Duchess of Cambridge, launched a project on Thursday to encourage Britons to submit pictures of their current daily lives and the work of "Helpers and Heroes" to capture a snapshot of the nation in coronavirus lockdown. 
 
The "Hold Still" project, being run by London`s National Portrait Gallery, aims to document the spirit and mood of the public during the six-week lockdown during which they have been subject to strict limits on their movements and gatherings. 
 
Britain has the highest official death toll from the new coronavirus in Europe, according to figures released on Tuesday, and there has been a widespread outpouring of support for healthcare workers and others carrying out essential jobs since measures were introduced to try to curb the COVID-19 outbreak. 
 
Kate, the gallery`s patron and herself a keen photographer, said the project sought to capture the "resilience, bravery, kindness" that people were experiencing in such extraordinary times. 
 
"We`ve all been struck by some of the incredible images we`ve seen which have given us an insight into the experiences and stories of people across the country," she said in a statement. 
 
"Some desperately sad images showing the human tragedy of this pandemic and other uplifting pictures showing people coming together to support those more vulnerable." 
 
Kensington Palace said the project was open to submissions from Britons of all ages and abilities, with 100 shortlisted pictures, selected by the emotion and experience they convey rather technical quality, to feature in a digital exhibition.

Kate, Britain`s Duchess of Cambridge, launched a project on Thursday to encourage Britons to submit pictures of their current daily lives and the work of "Helpers and Heroes" to capture a snapshot of the nation in coronavirus lockdown.

Kate, Britain`s Duchess of Cambridge, launched a project on Thursday to encourage Britons to submit pictures of their current daily lives and the work of "Helpers and Heroes" to capture a snapshot of the nation in coronavirus lockdown. The "Hold Still" project, being run by London`s National Portrait Gallery, aims to document the spirit and mood of the public during the six-week lockdown during which they have been subject to strict limits on their movements and gatherings. Britain has the highest official death toll from the new coronavirus in Europe, according to figures released on Tuesday, and there has been a widespread outpouring of support for healthcare workers and others carrying out essential jobs since measures were introduced to try to curb the COVID-19 outbreak. Kate, the gallery`s patron and herself a keen photographer, said the project sought to capture the "resilience, bravery, kindness" that people were experiencing in such extraordinary times. "We`ve all been struck by some of the incredible images we`ve seen which have given us an insight into the experiences and stories of people across the country," she said in a statement. "Some desperately sad images showing the human tragedy of this pandemic and other uplifting pictures showing people coming together to support those more vulnerable." Kensington Palace said the project was open to submissions from Britons of all ages and abilities, with 100 shortlisted pictures, selected by the emotion and experience they convey rather technical quality, to feature in a digital exhibition.

Duchess Kate Middleton launches photo project to capture lockdown Britain

A British man called Jake Brown has discovered a 120-year-old ''secret passage'' with items from a ''different era'' underneath his house.&nbsp;

Brown&nbsp;got bored during the coronavirus lockdown in the country and decided to pursue a do-it-yourself assignment.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/council-and-healthcare-workers-first-to-try-nhs-app-that-tracks-coronavirus-296724" hreflang="en">Council and healthcare workers first to try NHS app that tracks coronavirus</a>

It was while doing this assignment that he realised that&nbsp;one of the walls in his recently bought Plymouth home had different textures.

This piqued his curiosity and he inspected it further. He&nbsp;made an opening in that particular wall which was big enough to get his head through to take another look.

To his shock, Jake discovered there was a huge area underneath his home in Plymouth, Devon, so he opened it up to investigate.

He drilled&nbsp;down and found&nbsp;a tunnel&nbsp;containing items from another era.

Inside the passage&nbsp;he discovered items including paint cans and an old newspaper that proved the tunnel had been blocked up for more than 50 years.

A British man called Jake Brown has discovered a 120-year-old ''secret passage'' with items from a ''different era'' underneath his house. Brown got bored during the coronavirus lockdown in the country and decided to pursue a do-it-yourself assignment.

A British man called Jake Brown has discovered a 120-year-old ''secret passage'' with items from a ''different era'' underneath his house. Brown got bored during the coronavirus lockdown in the country and decided to pursue a do-it-yourself assignment. Also read: Council and healthcare workers first to try NHS app that tracks coronavirus It was while doing this assignment that he realised that one of the walls in his recently bought Plymouth home had different textures. This piqued his curiosity and he inspected it further. He made an opening in that particular wall which was big enough to get his head through to take another look. To his shock, Jake discovered there was a huge area underneath his home in Plymouth, Devon, so he opened it up to investigate. He drilled down and found a tunnel containing items from another era. Inside the passage he discovered items including paint cans and an old newspaper that proved the tunnel had been blocked up for more than 50 years.

British man discovers 120-year-old 'secret passage' underneath his house

While scientists all around the world are racing to develop the vaccine soon for COVID-19, Oxford University scientists have claimed that the coronavirus vaccine could be available by September this year. Watch report.

Why the Oxford group is ahead in developing the COVID-19 vaccine?

The United Kingdom scrambles to fight COVID-19. UK reported atleast 8,000 extra deaths in 1st week of April. Watch this video to get more details.

UK scrambles to fight COVID-19, at least 8,000 extra deaths reported in April 1st week

Britain government launches a new Coronavirus task force in efforts to make vaccine of pandemic Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Britain launches new Coronavirus task force in efforts to make Coronavirus vaccine

Stirling Moss, the British racing driver who ranked as one of the all-time Formula One greats despite never winning the world championship, died on Sunday (April 12) at the age of 90 after a long illness.

British racing great Stirling Moss dies aged 90

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on April 13, 1919. British troops fired on hundreds of unarmed men, women and children in Amritsar. Official records put the death toll at 379, but historians say the number was closer to 1,000. 101 years on, Britain has not apologised for this deeply shameful chapter of its colonial past. Why do India's calls for a formal state apology from the British government continue to fall on deaf ears? Kishwar Desai, author of 'Jallianwala Bagh, 1919: The Real-Story' explains.

Jallianwala Bagh: Lest We Forget

“Coronavirus would not overcome us”, announced Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom in her second address to the nation in less than a week.

The head of Church of England, and the monarch of the UK, the 93-year-old further said that “Easter isn’t cancelled”. This was the first time she ever spoke on the holiday.

"This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by keeping apart we keep others safe. But Easter isn't cancelled; indeed, we need Easter as much as ever," she said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-marks-a-grim-milestone-reports-highest-daily-coronavirus-death-toll-291991" hreflang="en">US marks a grim milestone, reports highest daily coronavirus death toll</a>

This marked her sixth address ever! Last Sunday, during her 68-year reign, she claimed that if her country folks followed social distancing and lockdown measures, Britain would easily overcome the pandemic.

She alluded to the World War II during her earlier message.

"The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can all take heart from this," she said in the recording on Twitter.

"We know that coronavirus will not overcome us. As dark as death can be - particularly for those suffering with grief - light and life are greater. May the living flame of the Easter hope be a steady guide as we face the future”, she added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-the-new-coronavirus-weaken-anti-vaxxers-291986">Could the new coronavirus weaken 'anti-vaxxers'?</a>

Britain has recorded over 10,000 deaths due to the coronavirus. Just yesterday, over 900 people died in the country.

"I wish everyone of all faiths and denominations a blessed Easter," the queen said.

Usually, Easter is celebrated at Windsor Castle by all members of the royal family. She stays there with her husband Prince Philip.

But due to the ongoing crisis, the royal celebration has been cancelled.

(With inputs from agencies)

“Coronavirus would not overcome us”, announced Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom in her second address to the nation in less than a week. The head of Church of England, and the monarch of the UK, the 93-year-old further said that “Easter isn’t cancelled”.

“Coronavirus would not overcome us”, announced Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom in her second address to the nation in less than a week. The head of Church of England, and the monarch of the UK, the 93-year-old further said that “Easter isn’t cancelled”. This was the first time she ever spoke on the holiday. "This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by keeping apart we keep others safe. But Easter isn't cancelled; indeed, we need Easter as much as ever," she said. Also read: US marks a grim milestone, reports highest daily coronavirus death toll This marked her sixth address ever! Last Sunday, during her 68-year reign, she claimed that if her country folks followed social distancing and lockdown measures, Britain would easily overcome the pandemic. She alluded to the World War II during her earlier message. "The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can all take heart from this," she said in the recording on Twitter. "We know that coronavirus will not overcome us. As dark as death can be - particularly for those suffering with grief - light and life are greater. May the living flame of the Easter hope be a steady guide as we face the future”, she added. Also read: Could the new coronavirus weaken 'anti-vaxxers'? Britain has recorded over 10,000 deaths due to the coronavirus. Just yesterday, over 900 people died in the country. "I wish everyone of all faiths and denominations a blessed Easter," the queen said. Usually, Easter is celebrated at Windsor Castle by all members of the royal family. She stays there with her husband Prince Philip. But due to the ongoing crisis, the royal celebration has been cancelled. (With inputs from agencies)

'Easter isn't cancelled', announces Queen Elizabeth in her new address

As Britain struggles to contain the Coronavirus, the country's Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been placed under intensive care due to his failing health. Does United Kingdom have a 'Plan B' if its leadership is incapacitated?

Wuhan Coronavirus sends Boris Johnson to ICU | Gravitas

Britain is unlikely to lift its stringent lockdown rules until the end of May, once the spread of the coronavirus has started to slow, a leading government adviser said on Saturday as the death toll rose to 4,313.

The government has put Britain into a widespread shutdown, closing pubs, restaurants and nearly all shops, while ordering people to stay home unless absolutely essential to venture out.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/americans-told-to-wear-masks-as-spain-sees-signs-of-hope-290591">Americans told to wear masks as Spain sees signs of hope</a>

The order is designed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country, which has almost 42,000 confirmed cases. But some experts have started to question whether the shuttering of the economy will cost more lives in the long run.

"We want to move to a situation where at least by the end of May we're able to substitute some less intensive measures, more based on technology and testing, for the complete lockdown we have now," Neil Ferguson, a professor of mathematical biology at Imperial College London, told BBC Radio.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-extends-intensive-social-distancing-to-reach-50-daily-covid-19-cases-290573">UK's youngest COVID-19 victim, a 13-yr-old boy, buried without family in attendance</a>

Britain's death toll from the coronavirus rose by 20% to 4,313 by Friday afternoon with 708 new fatalties recorded, the health ministry said. That compared to a 23% rise on Thursday.

The peak of new cases could come within a week or 10 days, Ferguson said, but adherence to the strict rules will determine how quickly the rate of infections decline after that.

"It is quite finely balanced at the current time," he said, adding that Britain could have quite high levels of infection for "weeks and weeks" if people start to socialise.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heres-what-our-urban-life-will-look-like-after-the-coronavirus-pandemic-290481">Here’s what our urban life will look like after the coronavirus pandemic</a>

Britain initially took a restrained approach to the outbreak but Prime Minister Boris Johnson changed tack and imposed stringent social-distancing measures after Ferguson's modelling showed a quarter of a million people in the country could die.

The response has since been hampered by a lack of ventilators and an inability to carry out mass testing to determine whether the public, and particularly health workers, have built up an immunity.

Johnson, who has been in self-isolation after testing positive for the novel coronavirus, has invited opposition party leaders to a briefing next week with medical advisers, including the new leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer.

"As party leaders we have a duty to work together at this moment of national emergency," he said.

'Painted into a corned'

Some are questioning the long-term strategy.

A second senior government adviser, the chief pandemic modeller Graham Medley, said he feared Britain had painted itself into a corner, with no clear exit from a strategy that would damage the economic and mental well-being of many people.

Almost one million people have applied for welfare benefits in just two weeks in Britain, according to official data that shows the economy is set for a depression that could be worse than the slump in the 1930s.

"If we carry on with lockdown it buys us more time, we can get more thought put into it, but it doesn't resolve anything - it's a placeholder," Medley told the Times newspaper.

"We've kind of painted ourselves into a corner, because then the question will be, what do we do now? In broad terms are we going to continue to harm children to protect vulnerable people, or not?"

Health Minister Matt Hancock has set a goal of 100,000 tests per day by the end of this month, a tenfold increase that industry leaders have questioned due to shortages of equipment. It is also considering immunity certificates.

Separately the government said it would free prisoners who were deemed to be low risk and were within weeks of release.

Britain is unlikely to lift its stringent lockdown rules until the end of May, once the spread of the coronavirus has started to slow, a leading government adviser said on Saturday as the death toll rose to 4,313.

Britain is unlikely to lift its stringent lockdown rules until the end of May, once the spread of the coronavirus has started to slow, a leading government adviser said on Saturday as the death toll rose to 4,313. The government has put Britain into a widespread shutdown, closing pubs, restaurants and nearly all shops, while ordering people to stay home unless absolutely essential to venture out. Also read: Americans told to wear masks as Spain sees signs of hope The order is designed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country, which has almost 42,000 confirmed cases. But some experts have started to question whether the shuttering of the economy will cost more lives in the long run. "We want to move to a situation where at least by the end of May we're able to substitute some less intensive measures, more based on technology and testing, for the complete lockdown we have now," Neil Ferguson, a professor of mathematical biology at Imperial College London, told BBC Radio. Also read: UK's youngest COVID-19 victim, a 13-yr-old boy, buried without family in attendance Britain's death toll from the coronavirus rose by 20% to 4,313 by Friday afternoon with 708 new fatalties recorded, the health ministry said. That compared to a 23% rise on Thursday. The peak of new cases could come within a week or 10 days, Ferguson said, but adherence to the strict rules will determine how quickly the rate of infections decline after that. "It is quite finely balanced at the current time," he said, adding that Britain could have quite high levels of infection for "weeks and weeks" if people start to socialise. Also read: Here’s what our urban life will look like after the coronavirus pandemic Britain initially took a restrained approach to the outbreak but Prime Minister Boris Johnson changed tack and imposed stringent social-distancing measures after Ferguson's modelling showed a quarter of a million people in the country could die. The response has since been hampered by a lack of ventilators and an inability to carry out mass testing to determine whether the public, and particularly health workers, have built up an immunity. Johnson, who has been in self-isolation after testing positive for the novel coronavirus, has invited opposition party leaders to a briefing next week with medical advisers, including the new leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer. "As party leaders we have a duty to work together at this moment of national emergency," he said. 'Painted into a corned' Some are questioning the long-term strategy. A second senior government adviser, the chief pandemic modeller Graham Medley, said he feared Britain had painted itself into a corner, with no clear exit from a strategy that would damage the economic and mental well-being of many people. Almost one million people have applied for welfare benefits in just two weeks in Britain, according to official data that shows the economy is set for a depression that could be worse than the slump in the 1930s. "If we carry on with lockdown it buys us more time, we can get more thought put into it, but it doesn't resolve anything - it's a placeholder," Medley told the Times newspaper. "We've kind of painted ourselves into a corner, because then the question will be, what do we do now? In broad terms are we going to continue to harm children to protect vulnerable people, or not?" Health Minister Matt Hancock has set a goal of 100,000 tests per day by the end of this month, a tenfold increase that industry leaders have questioned due to shortages of equipment. It is also considering immunity certificates. Separately the government said it would free prisoners who were deemed to be low risk and were within weeks of release.

Britain set for long lockdown as death toll rises to 4,313

Britain has reported its highest death toll with a record of 569 deaths in one single day. It also reported the second-highest increase in the number of positive coronavirus cases. Watch WION Ground Report:

WION Ground Report: Britain records highest deaths in 24 hours

The United Kingdom with a GDP of 2.83 trillion dollars is the world's sixth-largest economy and home to 67 million people. The UK's healthcare is the 18th best globally but&nbsp;is still continuing to contain the coronavirus outbreak that has killed over 1200 people and infecting more than 20,000. &nbsp;

The people in the UK are desperate to hear some good news, but a health official has said it could be six months before life coming to normal in Britain.&nbsp;

"So I think three weeks for review, two or three months to see whether we've really squashed it. But about three to six months ideally, and lots of uncertainty in that. But then to see at which point we can actually get back to normal and it is plausible that it could go further than that. We just need to wait to see how successful we've been," Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer said.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-coronavirus-death-toll-under-20000-would-be-good-result-health-chief-says-289207">UK coronavirus death toll under 20,000 would be 'good result' - health chief says</a>

The government said that all parts of the UK are on an emergency footing. There has been a total lockdown since March 23, with citizens allowed to leave only for essentials, medicine, and exercise. The roads are empty and flights have been grounded.&nbsp;

"It is a very emotional flight for the crew who have volunteered today, not only just to get you home, but because we really do enjoy our jobs and working for easyJet. Today for all of us, it is the last time for a while that we'll be wearing our uniforms," a flight attendant announced which was applauded by passengers on board.&nbsp;

An Olympic 2012 venue in London has been converted into a make-shift hospital. the Etihad Stadium in Manchester is being used by the National Health Services (NHS).&nbsp;

The economic output in the UK is likely to fall by 15 per cent and thousands of businesses could be forced to a permanent lockdown.&nbsp;

The worst affected places were bars, restaurants, and shops.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is infected with COVID-19 and his advisor Dominic Cummins is in self-isolation. The Health Secretary Matt Hancock is also infected with the virus. Chris Whitty, the country's chief medical officer is also under self-isolation.&nbsp;

In short, the coronavirus has left Britain's key departments headless or running through video links.&nbsp;

The COVID-19 has not sparred Prince Charles too.

Life has come to a standstill in Britain and it could get worse.&nbsp;

"It's not an easy position to stand on a platform and say we expect a large number of people to die, but we have a pandemic on our hands. And it is an unprecedented event for this generation in this country. I think it is because of where we are on the curve, all the above, as I said previously, applies. We are expecting that number will increase for the next week or two," Harries said.&nbsp;

British officials have said they would have done better if the casualty count capped at 20,000.&nbsp;

The future is unclear, but the message is clear, stay at home safely.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The United Kingdom with a GDP of 2.83 trillion dollars is the world's sixth-largest economy and home to 67 million people. The UK's healthcare is the 18th best globally but is still continuing to contain the coronavirus outbreak that has killed over 1200 people and infecting more than 20,000.

The United Kingdom with a GDP of 2.83 trillion dollars is the world's sixth-largest economy and home to 67 million people. The UK's healthcare is the 18th best globally but is still continuing to contain the coronavirus outbreak that has killed over 1200 people and infecting more than 20,000. The people in the UK are desperate to hear some good news, but a health official has said it could be six months before life coming to normal in Britain. "So I think three weeks for review, two or three months to see whether we've really squashed it. But about three to six months ideally, and lots of uncertainty in that. But then to see at which point we can actually get back to normal and it is plausible that it could go further than that. We just need to wait to see how successful we've been," Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer said. Also read | UK coronavirus death toll under 20,000 would be 'good result' - health chief says The government said that all parts of the UK are on an emergency footing. There has been a total lockdown since March 23, with citizens allowed to leave only for essentials, medicine, and exercise. The roads are empty and flights have been grounded. "It is a very emotional flight for the crew who have volunteered today, not only just to get you home, but because we really do enjoy our jobs and working for easyJet. Today for all of us, it is the last time for a while that we'll be wearing our uniforms," a flight attendant announced which was applauded by passengers on board. An Olympic 2012 venue in London has been converted into a make-shift hospital. the Etihad Stadium in Manchester is being used by the National Health Services (NHS). The economic output in the UK is likely to fall by 15 per cent and thousands of businesses could be forced to a permanent lockdown. The worst affected places were bars, restaurants, and shops. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is infected with COVID-19 and his advisor Dominic Cummins is in self-isolation. The Health Secretary Matt Hancock is also infected with the virus. Chris Whitty, the country's chief medical officer is also under self-isolation. In short, the coronavirus has left Britain's key departments headless or running through video links. The COVID-19 has not sparred Prince Charles too. Life has come to a standstill in Britain and it could get worse. "It's not an easy position to stand on a platform and say we expect a large number of people to die, but we have a pandemic on our hands. And it is an unprecedented event for this generation in this country. I think it is because of where we are on the curve, all the above, as I said previously, applies. We are expecting that number will increase for the next week or two," Harries said. British officials have said they would have done better if the casualty count capped at 20,000. The future is unclear, but the message is clear, stay at home safely.

UK's future hangs in balance after health official says Britain could take six months before attaining normalcy

Britain's leaders on Tuesday urged people to respect an unprecedented countrywide lockdown, saying that following advice to stay at home would stop people dying of coronavirus.

"Unless you stay at home, then the people you love most may die," senior minister Michael Gove said in a round of broadcast interviews.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-virus-accelerating-amid-fears-country-on-same-path-as-italy-287939">UK virus 'accelerating' amid fears country on same path as Italy</a>

Prime Minister Boris Johnson late on Monday bowed to pressure to follow other European countries in shutting most shops and services, as the death toll reached 335.

Many streets were deserted on Tuesday morning, although reduced traffic still circulated in London and construction workers were being allowed to stay on site.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/coronavirus-insurance-india-moves-to-protect-patients-as-uk-companies-limit-cover-285970">Coronavirus insurance: India moves to protect patients as UK companies limit cover</a>

Pictures on social media showed packed rush-hour trains on the London Underground "Tube" network, but this is partly as a result of a dramatic reduction in services.

Johnson said people must stay inside except to buy essentials and take daily exercise, but there were questions about how the new rules will be enforced.

"For those people who are determined to flout the rules, the police will have the tools in order to ensure that those people are penalised and punished", Gove said, citing the risk of a fine.

Britain's leaders on Tuesday urged people to respect an unprecedented countrywide lockdown, saying that following advice to stay at home would stop people dying of coronavirus.

Britain's leaders on Tuesday urged people to respect an unprecedented countrywide lockdown, saying that following advice to stay at home would stop people dying of coronavirus. "Unless you stay at home, then the people you love most may die," senior minister Michael Gove said in a round of broadcast interviews. UK virus 'accelerating' amid fears country on same path as Italy Prime Minister Boris Johnson late on Monday bowed to pressure to follow other European countries in shutting most shops and services, as the death toll reached 335. Many streets were deserted on Tuesday morning, although reduced traffic still circulated in London and construction workers were being allowed to stay on site. Also read: Coronavirus insurance: India moves to protect patients as UK companies limit cover Pictures on social media showed packed rush-hour trains on the London Underground "Tube" network, but this is partly as a result of a dramatic reduction in services. Johnson said people must stay inside except to buy essentials and take daily exercise, but there were questions about how the new rules will be enforced. "For those people who are determined to flout the rules, the police will have the tools in order to ensure that those people are penalised and punished", Gove said, citing the risk of a fine.

Britain asks public to respect coronavirus lockdown

Britain hopes the measures it has taken to tackle coronavirus mean it will have below 20,000 deaths from the outbreak, the government's chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance said on Tuesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-passport-to-return-to-iconic-blue-colour-284289">UK passport to return to iconic blue colour</a>

On Monday, the government ramped up its battle against the virus, shutting down social life in Britain and ordering the most vulnerable to isolate for 12 weeks.

Vallance said the impact of the measures on the number of infections should be seen in two to three weeks. Based on the modelling being used by the government, it is a "reasonable ballpark" that Britain actually has around 55,000 cases of the virus, compared to the 1,543 confirmed by testing, he said.

Also see:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/number-of-uk-coronavirus-cases-rises-to-273-285120">&nbsp;Number of UK coronavirus cases rises to 273</a>

He told a committee of lawmakers when asked about deaths: "If we can get this down to 20,000 and below, that is a good outcome in terms of where we would hope to get to with this outbreak. It is still horrible, it is still an enormous number of deaths and it is an enormous pressure on the health service."

Britain hopes the measures it has taken to tackle coronavirus mean it will have below 20,000 deaths from the outbreak, the government's chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance said on Tuesday.

Britain hopes the measures it has taken to tackle coronavirus mean it will have below 20,000 deaths from the outbreak, the government's chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance said on Tuesday. Also read: UK passport to return to iconic blue colour On Monday, the government ramped up its battle against the virus, shutting down social life in Britain and ordering the most vulnerable to isolate for 12 weeks. Vallance said the impact of the measures on the number of infections should be seen in two to three weeks. Based on the modelling being used by the government, it is a "reasonable ballpark" that Britain actually has around 55,000 cases of the virus, compared to the 1,543 confirmed by testing, he said. Also see: Number of UK coronavirus cases rises to 273 He told a committee of lawmakers when asked about deaths: "If we can get this down to 20,000 and below, that is a good outcome in terms of where we would hope to get to with this outbreak. It is still horrible, it is still an enormous number of deaths and it is an enormous pressure on the health service."

UK expects 20,000 deaths from coronavirus: Government chief scientist

US airlines have announced drastic reductions in flights after President Donald Trump's administration banned foreign travellers arriving from Europe.

United Airlines said it would announce a cut in the capacity of around 50 per cent for April and May, as the United States ramps up restrictions to try and contain the spread of the coronavirus.

"We also now expect these deep cuts to extend into the summer travel period," said chief executive Oscar Munoz and company president Scott Kirby in a letter to employees published on the airline's website on Sunday.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/airline-crisis-worsens-as-us-puts-europeans-in-coronavirus-quarantine-285968">Airline crisis worsens as US puts Europeans in coronavirus quarantine</a>

In the first half of March -- usually the busiest month of the year United had "welcomed more than one million fewer customers on-board our aircraft than the same period last year."

Revenue for March 2020 was projected to be $1.5 billion lower than last March, the letter added.

The airline has begun speaking to unions "about how to reduce our payroll expense," it said, acknowledging this would be "painful" but that senior staff had already been told their salaries would be halved.

American Airlines said it would reduce all international capacity by 75 per cent.

"This suspension will last through May 6," the carrier said. "This change is in response to decreased demand and changes to US government travel restrictions due to coronavirus."

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-qantas-virgin-atlantic-among-many-who-banned-flights-to-china-among-coronavirus-outbreak-280547">United, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic among many who have extended flight ban to China on Coronavirus Fears</a>

It also said domestic service would be reduced by 20 per cent in April compared to last year.

Its competitor Delta said it would "significantly reduce its US to Europe flying beginning Monday, March 16, following the US government directive restricting travel between the US and Europe."

Southwest Airlines said it "will likely make service reductions based on demand."

The US restrictions on travel from Europe took effect at midnight Friday and were later extended to Britain and Ireland as of Tuesday.

US airlines had already suspended flights between the US and Italy, hard-hit by the virus, and earlier between the US and China where the new coronavirus emerged in December.

US airlines have announced drastic reductions in flights after President Donald Trump's administration banned foreign travellers arriving from Europe. United Airlines said it would announce a cut in the capacity of around 50 per cent for April and May, as the United States ramps up restrictions to try and contain the spread of the coronavirus.

US airlines have announced drastic reductions in flights after President Donald Trump's administration banned foreign travellers arriving from Europe. United Airlines said it would announce a cut in the capacity of around 50 per cent for April and May, as the United States ramps up restrictions to try and contain the spread of the coronavirus. "We also now expect these deep cuts to extend into the summer travel period," said chief executive Oscar Munoz and company president Scott Kirby in a letter to employees published on the airline's website on Sunday. Also Read: Airline crisis worsens as US puts Europeans in coronavirus quarantine In the first half of March -- usually the busiest month of the year United had "welcomed more than one million fewer customers on-board our aircraft than the same period last year." Revenue for March 2020 was projected to be $1.5 billion lower than last March, the letter added. The airline has begun speaking to unions "about how to reduce our payroll expense," it said, acknowledging this would be "painful" but that senior staff had already been told their salaries would be halved. American Airlines said it would reduce all international capacity by 75 per cent. "This suspension will last through May 6," the carrier said. "This change is in response to decreased demand and changes to US government travel restrictions due to coronavirus." Also Read: United, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic among many who have extended flight ban to China on Coronavirus Fears It also said domestic service would be reduced by 20 per cent in April compared to last year. Its competitor Delta said it would "significantly reduce its US to Europe flying beginning Monday, March 16, following the US government directive restricting travel between the US and Europe." Southwest Airlines said it "will likely make service reductions based on demand." The US restrictions on travel from Europe took effect at midnight Friday and were later extended to Britain and Ireland as of Tuesday. US airlines had already suspended flights between the US and Italy, hard-hit by the virus, and earlier between the US and China where the new coronavirus emerged in December.

Air carriers in US cancel flights amid coronavirus crisis

Within a month of taking charge as UK's Finance Minister, Rishi Sunak has presented a Budget which is winning him praises across party lines. Here's a report on the rise of this Indian-origin lawmaker in Britain.

Gravitas: Indian origin Minister presents UK's 1st post Brexit Budget

The British way of colonialism has often been a topic of vigorous discussion -- for the world and UK alike. A little more for the latter as a recent polls has suggested Britain misses its empire more than other post-colonial powers.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/main-points-of-uk-budget-dominated-by-coronovirus-285702">Main points of UK budget dominated by coronovirus</a>

A YouGov survey, shared with the Guardian, had a shocking number of people -- over a quarter of those surveyed -- saying they would still like to have an empire. These people believe the British Empire left its former colonies "better off", succinctly reaffirming the notion about how Britain educates citizens about its colonial past vis-a-vis how the rest of the world feels about it.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/uk-royals-set-for-last-big-get-together-before-harry-and-meghans-exit-285176" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/uk-royals-set-for-last-big-get-together-before-harry-and-meghans-exit-285176&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjJtb-nwpboAhXUV3wKHXjNDHs4FBAWMAh6BAgEEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw0eqI0pUkHY5VCvpHyqqgv4" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/uk-royals-set-for-last-big-get-together-before-harry-and-meghans-exit-285176" target="_blank">UK&nbsp;royals set for last big get together before Harry and Meghan's exit</a>

The said results have been interpreted by some as "a proxy for high levels of nationalist sentiment," particularly in the context of Brexit.

Majority of the responses said their former empires were "neither something to be proud nor ashamed of". These responders include 37 per cent of Britons. Nearly 50 per cent said they wouldn't like Britain to still have an empire.

Oku Ekpenyon, founder of Memorial 2007, a campaign for a slavery memorial to be built in London, described the results as 'alarming'.

Nigel Biggar, regius professor of moral and pastoral theology at Christ Church College, Oxford, however, begged to differ. He said, "The fact that only a minority of 32 per cent said empire was something to be proud of meant that if the post-colonialists really want to hound imperial flag-wavers, they should go after the Dutch."

Popular opinion also says that the likelihood that a country believes it left its former colonies better off appears to be correlated to the extent and openness of the national debate about empire.

Only Netherlands appeared to be more proud of its imperial history than the Britain. Half of the Dutch, in the survey, said they were more proud than ashamed of their history.

Germans were the least likely to be proud of its colonial past -- amounting to only 9 per cent.

The data on empire attitudes was collected between June 10, 2019 and December 17, 2019.

The British way of colonialism has often been a topic of vigorous discussion -- for the world and UK alike. A little more for the latter as a recent polls has suggested Britain misses its empire more than other post-colonial powers.

The British way of colonialism has often been a topic of vigorous discussion -- for the world and UK alike. A little more for the latter as a recent polls has suggested Britain misses its empire more than other post-colonial powers. Also read: Main points of UK budget dominated by coronovirus A YouGov survey, shared with the Guardian, had a shocking number of people -- over a quarter of those surveyed -- saying they would still like to have an empire. These people believe the British Empire left its former colonies "better off", succinctly reaffirming the notion about how Britain educates citizens about its colonial past vis-a-vis how the rest of the world feels about it. Also read: UK royals set for last big get together before Harry and Meghan's exit The said results have been interpreted by some as "a proxy for high levels of nationalist sentiment," particularly in the context of Brexit. Majority of the responses said their former empires were "neither something to be proud nor ashamed of". These responders include 37 per cent of Britons. Nearly 50 per cent said they wouldn't like Britain to still have an empire. Oku Ekpenyon, founder of Memorial 2007, a campaign for a slavery memorial to be built in London, described the results as 'alarming'. Nigel Biggar, regius professor of moral and pastoral theology at Christ Church College, Oxford, however, begged to differ. He said, "The fact that only a minority of 32 per cent said empire was something to be proud of meant that if the post-colonialists really want to hound imperial flag-wavers, they should go after the Dutch." Popular opinion also says that the likelihood that a country believes it left its former colonies better off appears to be correlated to the extent and openness of the national debate about empire. Only Netherlands appeared to be more proud of its imperial history than the Britain. Half of the Dutch, in the survey, said they were more proud than ashamed of their history. Germans were the least likely to be proud of its colonial past -- amounting to only 9 per cent. The data on empire attitudes was collected between June 10, 2019 and December 17, 2019.

UK misses its empire more than other ex-colonial powers, 33% think colonies 'better off', poll finds

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak presented the red Budget Box outside of 11 Downing Street. Sunak has pledged £30bn of spending to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

Your Story: Rishi Sunak presents his first budget, Unveils £30bn plan to fight coronavirus

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Monday chair an emergency meeting on coronavirus as the government mulls more stringent measures to tackle the outbreak.

Britain so far reported three deaths and 278 cases of the new coronavirus. The country's biggest retailer, Tesco, has restricted bulk buying of products such as anti-bacterial gels and wipes, dried pasta and long-life milk.

"The number of coronavirus cases continues to rise in the UK and around the world," Johnson said. "We are well prepared and will continue to make decisions to protect the public based on the latest scientific advice."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/number-of-uk-coronavirus-cases-rises-to-273-285120">Number of UK coronavirus cases rises to 273</a>

The new coronavirus, which emerged in China in December, causes a disease called COVID-19. It has spread around the world, infecting more than 106,000 people and 3,600 people have died worldwide, according to a Reuters tally.

Britain's emergency scientific group agreed last week that the virus was likely to spread in a significant way and the government will decide on Monday whether to move to the so-called "delay phase" of its plan.

As some British supermarket shelves were emptied of basics such as lavatory paper, the British government said it had set up a team to tackle "interference and disinformation" around the spread of coronavirus.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-finance-minister-sunak-looking-at-ways-to-relax-spending-limit-285091">UK finance minister Sunak looking at ways to relax spending limit</a>

British culture secretary Oliver Dowden there were no plans to shut museums, art galleries or concert halls, or to order sporting events to be cancelled or played behind closed doors.

"We not anywhere near that sort of stage," he told BBC TV. "There is no reason for people not to attend such events or to cancel them at this stage but we keep it under review."

Dowden added that there was no need for people to stockpile.

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"We are confident that supermarkets have the supply chains necessary to keep shelves stocked," he said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Monday chair an emergency meeting on coronavirus as the government mulls more stringent measures to tackle the outbreak.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Monday chair an emergency meeting on coronavirus as the government mulls more stringent measures to tackle the outbreak. Britain so far reported three deaths and 278 cases of the new coronavirus. The country's biggest retailer, Tesco, has restricted bulk buying of products such as anti-bacterial gels and wipes, dried pasta and long-life milk. "The number of coronavirus cases continues to rise in the UK and around the world," Johnson said. "We are well prepared and will continue to make decisions to protect the public based on the latest scientific advice." Also read: Number of UK coronavirus cases rises to 273 The new coronavirus, which emerged in China in December, causes a disease called COVID-19. It has spread around the world, infecting more than 106,000 people and 3,600 people have died worldwide, according to a Reuters tally. Britain's emergency scientific group agreed last week that the virus was likely to spread in a significant way and the government will decide on Monday whether to move to the so-called "delay phase" of its plan. As some British supermarket shelves were emptied of basics such as lavatory paper, the British government said it had set up a team to tackle "interference and disinformation" around the spread of coronavirus. Also see: UK finance minister Sunak looking at ways to relax spending limit British culture secretary Oliver Dowden there were no plans to shut museums, art galleries or concert halls, or to order sporting events to be cancelled or played behind closed doors. "We not anywhere near that sort of stage," he told BBC TV. "There is no reason for people not to attend such events or to cancel them at this stage but we keep it under review." Dowden added that there was no need for people to stockpile. Watch: × "We are confident that supermarkets have the supply chains necessary to keep shelves stocked," he said.

British PM to hold emergency meeting on coronavirus

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the 19th-century ruler of the Sikh Empire in India, has beaten competition from around the world to be named the "Greatest Leader of All Time" in a poll conducted by BBC World Histories Magazine'.&nbsp;

Over 5,000 readers voted in the poll. Polling more than 38 per cent of the vote, Singh was praised for creating a new tolerant empire.&nbsp;

In the second place, with 25 per cent of the vote, is African Independence Fighter Amlcar Cabral, who united more than 1 million Guineans to free themselves from Portuguese occupation and in turn propelled many other colonised African countries to rise and fight for independence.&nbsp;

Britain's war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill is at number three with 7 per cent of the vote for his quick decision and sharp political manoeuvring that kept Britain in the war.

Further down the list, American President Abraham Lincoln is at four and British monarch Elizabeth I is the highest-ranked female leader at five.&nbsp;

The nominations were sought from global historians, including Matthew Lockwood, Rana Mitter, Margaret MacMillan and Gus Casely-Hayford, who selected their Greatest Leader someone who exercised power and had a positive impact on humanity.&nbsp;

The resulting top 20 included some of the most celebrated leaders in history across the globe from the UK, the US, to Asia and Africa, including the likes of Mughal Emperor Akbar, French military leader Joan of Arc and Russian Empress Catherine the Great, with the list topped by Ranjit Singh.

"Though perhaps not as familiar as some of the other names on the list, Ranjit Singh's overwhelming success in our poll suggests that the qualities of his leadership continue to inspire people around the world in the 21st century, said Matt Elton, Editor of BBC World History Magazine' of leading historians. &nbsp;

"And, at a time of global political tensions, it's telling that Singh's rule is interpreted as representing ideals of tolerance, freedom and cooperation, he said.

Described as the Lion of Punjab, Singh's rise to power came after a period of economic and political uncertainty.&nbsp;

The magazine notes that by the early decades of the 19th century, he had modernised the Sikh Khalsa army, embraced western innovations without abandoning local forms and institutions, unified the fractious misls or states, stabilised the frontier with Afghanistan, and reached a mutually beneficial detente with the British East India Company.

Singh, however, was more than a mere conqueror. While the Indian subcontinent was riven with imperial competition, religious strife and wars of conquest, Singh was, almost uniquely, a unifier a force for stability, prosperity and tolerance, it notes.

Singh's name was nominated by Lockwood, who is assistant professor of history at the University of Alabama, as a modernising and uniting force, whose reign marked a golden age for Punjab and north-west India.

This golden age would not survive him. After his death in 1839, Ranjit Singh's empire of toleration unravelled. The British invaded, the Sikh empire collapsed and instability returned to the region, says Lockwood.

Though certainly an imperialist, Ranjit Singh represented a different, more enlightened, more inclusive model of state-building, and a much-needed path towards unity and toleration. We could still benefit from his example, he adds.&nbsp;

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the 19th-century ruler of the Sikh Empire in India, has beaten competition from around the world to be named the "Greatest Leader of All Time" in a poll conducted by BBC World Histories Magazine'.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the 19th-century ruler of the Sikh Empire in India, has beaten competition from around the world to be named the "Greatest Leader of All Time" in a poll conducted by BBC World Histories Magazine'. Over 5,000 readers voted in the poll. Polling more than 38 per cent of the vote, Singh was praised for creating a new tolerant empire. In the second place, with 25 per cent of the vote, is African Independence Fighter Amlcar Cabral, who united more than 1 million Guineans to free themselves from Portuguese occupation and in turn propelled many other colonised African countries to rise and fight for independence. Britain's war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill is at number three with 7 per cent of the vote for his quick decision and sharp political manoeuvring that kept Britain in the war. Further down the list, American President Abraham Lincoln is at four and British monarch Elizabeth I is the highest-ranked female leader at five. The nominations were sought from global historians, including Matthew Lockwood, Rana Mitter, Margaret MacMillan and Gus Casely-Hayford, who selected their Greatest Leader someone who exercised power and had a positive impact on humanity. The resulting top 20 included some of the most celebrated leaders in history across the globe from the UK, the US, to Asia and Africa, including the likes of Mughal Emperor Akbar, French military leader Joan of Arc and Russian Empress Catherine the Great, with the list topped by Ranjit Singh. "Though perhaps not as familiar as some of the other names on the list, Ranjit Singh's overwhelming success in our poll suggests that the qualities of his leadership continue to inspire people around the world in the 21st century, said Matt Elton, Editor of BBC World History Magazine' of leading historians. "And, at a time of global political tensions, it's telling that Singh's rule is interpreted as representing ideals of tolerance, freedom and cooperation, he said. Described as the Lion of Punjab, Singh's rise to power came after a period of economic and political uncertainty. The magazine notes that by the early decades of the 19th century, he had modernised the Sikh Khalsa army, embraced western innovations without abandoning local forms and institutions, unified the fractious misls or states, stabilised the frontier with Afghanistan, and reached a mutually beneficial detente with the British East India Company. Singh, however, was more than a mere conqueror. While the Indian subcontinent was riven with imperial competition, religious strife and wars of conquest, Singh was, almost uniquely, a unifier a force for stability, prosperity and tolerance, it notes. Singh's name was nominated by Lockwood, who is assistant professor of history at the University of Alabama, as a modernising and uniting force, whose reign marked a golden age for Punjab and north-west India. This golden age would not survive him. After his death in 1839, Ranjit Singh's empire of toleration unravelled. The British invaded, the Sikh empire collapsed and instability returned to the region, says Lockwood. Though certainly an imperialist, Ranjit Singh represented a different, more enlightened, more inclusive model of state-building, and a much-needed path towards unity and toleration. We could still benefit from his example, he adds.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh surpasses UK war-time PM Winston Churchill in poll to be named greatest world leader

Following Britain's departure from the European Union (EU), the images of the UK's new blue colour passport has created a new controversy.&nbsp;

The Home Office earlier released pictures of the new passport, describing it as a return to the "iconic blue", however, several experts and Twitterati say that the colour is closer to black than blue.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-passport-to-return-to-iconic-blue-colour-284289">UK passport to return to iconic blue colour</a>

Stephen Westland, professor of colour science and technology at the University of Leeds said that when most people would look at the passport, they would call it black, reported BBC.

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There is some right Emperors New Clothes going on with this 'blue' passport that actually looks black <a href="https://t.co/Nb4eRJkz0I">https://t.co/Nb4eRJkz0I</a>
— Smith (@AnotherSmith909) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnotherSmith909/status/1234438772076371969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Netizens shared interesting memes that took a dig on the passport's colour.

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Checking out my “iconic” new blue passport <a href="https://t.co/L2dRftXePT">pic.twitter.com/L2dRftXePT</a>
— Nick Taylor (@Nick_Tea) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nick_Tea/status/1234606820733394944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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This is like that dress thing again. 
 
When we had the passports before they were black. And now they're black again. We've literally never had blue passports! 
 
Can someone let me in on the bizarre naming convention? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BluePassport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BluePassport</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotBluePassport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotBluePassport</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackPassport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackPassport</a> <a href="https://t.co/6IZ6XDJPyO">pic.twitter.com/6IZ6XDJPyO</a>
— Michael Birtwhistle (@SalfordMH) <a href="https://twitter.com/SalfordMH/status/1234451906052882433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The UK's passport was of dark blue in colour during the pre-EU days and the passport with the new colour will be made by a Franco-Dutch firm.&nbsp;

"By returning to the iconic blue and gold design, the British passport will once again be entwined with our national identity and I cannot wait to travel on one,” Home Secretary (interior minister) Priti Patel had earlier said in a statement.

From early March, the new passport will be phased and from mid-2020, all new passports will be with the blue colour.&nbsp; 
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Following Britain's departure from the European Union (EU), the images of the UK's new blue colour passport has created a new controversy. The Home Office earlier released pictures of the new passport, describing it as a return to the "iconic blue", however, several experts and Twitterati say that the colour is closer to black than blue.

Following Britain's departure from the European Union (EU), the images of the UK's new blue colour passport has created a new controversy. The Home Office earlier released pictures of the new passport, describing it as a return to the "iconic blue", however, several experts and Twitterati say that the colour is closer to black than blue. Also read: UK passport to return to iconic blue colour Stephen Westland, professor of colour science and technology at the University of Leeds said that when most people would look at the passport, they would call it black, reported BBC. There is some right Emperors New Clothes going on with this 'blue' passport that actually looks black https://t.co/Nb4eRJkz0I — Smith (@AnotherSmith909) March 2, 2020 × Netizens shared interesting memes that took a dig on the passport's colour. Checking out my “iconic” new blue passport pic.twitter.com/L2dRftXePT — Nick Taylor (@Nick_Tea) March 2, 2020 × This is like that dress thing again. When we had the passports before they were black. And now they're black again. We've literally never had blue passports! Can someone let me in on the bizarre naming convention? #BluePassport #NotBluePassport#BlackPassport pic.twitter.com/6IZ6XDJPyO — Michael Birtwhistle (@SalfordMH) March 2, 2020 × The UK's passport was of dark blue in colour during the pre-EU days and the passport with the new colour will be made by a Franco-Dutch firm. "By returning to the iconic blue and gold design, the British passport will once again be entwined with our national identity and I cannot wait to travel on one,” Home Secretary (interior minister) Priti Patel had earlier said in a statement. From early March, the new passport will be phased and from mid-2020, all new passports will be with the blue colour.

Black or Blue? Fresh controversy erupts over new colour of Britain's passport

After its exit from the European Union, The Great Britain is switching the colour of its passport to blue. This report has more.

Gravitas: Great Britain gets a new passport

Britain warned Thursday it would not commit to following <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-uk-eu-allows-huawei-5g-with-strict-guidelines-277407">European Union</a> (EU) rules in a post-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-uk-eu-allows-huawei-5g-with-strict-guidelines-277407">Brexit </a>trade deal, and threatened to abandon talks in June if no compromise was possible.

Two days after EU ministers approved their own joint approach to the negotiations, which start on Monday, Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-uk-eu-allows-huawei-5g-with-strict-guidelines-277407">Boris Johnson</a>'s government set out its own red lines.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/canada-uk-free-trade-a-post-brexit-opportunity-279098">Canada-UK free trade: A post-Brexit opportunity</a>

The formal negotiating mandate says London wants to agree a relationship "based on friendly cooperation between sovereign equals" before the end of the post-Brexit transition period on December 31.

But it warns: "We will not agree to any obligations for our laws to be aligned with the EU's or for the EU's institutions including the Court of Justice, to have any jurisdiction in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-uk-eu-allows-huawei-5g-with-strict-guidelines-277407">UK</a>."

The document also states that if both sides have not been able to reach a "broad outline of an agreement" by June, then it would have to decide whether to walk away from the talks.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-uk-eu-allows-huawei-5g-with-strict-guidelines-277407">After UK, EU allows Huawei 5G with strict guidelines</a>

When Britain left the European Union on January 31, both sides agreed a standstill period while they establish a new partnership to replace 47 years of political and economic integration.

London has the option to extend the transition beyond the end of 2020 but says it will not.

So in June, it would decide "whether the UK's attention should move away from negotiations and focus solely on continuing domestic preparations to exit the transition period in an orderly fashion".

Failure to reach a new agreement with the EU -- Britain's largest trading partner -- is likely to be hugely disruptive on both sides of the Channel.

Britain warned Thursday it would not commit to following European Union (EU) rules in a post-Brexit trade deal, and threatened to abandon talks in June if no compromise was possible.

Britain warned Thursday it would not commit to following European Union (EU) rules in a post-Brexit trade deal, and threatened to abandon talks in June if no compromise was possible. Two days after EU ministers approved their own joint approach to the negotiations, which start on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government set out its own red lines. Also read: Canada-UK free trade: A post-Brexit opportunity The formal negotiating mandate says London wants to agree a relationship "based on friendly cooperation between sovereign equals" before the end of the post-Brexit transition period on December 31. But it warns: "We will not agree to any obligations for our laws to be aligned with the EU's or for the EU's institutions including the Court of Justice, to have any jurisdiction in the UK." The document also states that if both sides have not been able to reach a "broad outline of an agreement" by June, then it would have to decide whether to walk away from the talks. Also read: After UK, EU allows Huawei 5G with strict guidelines When Britain left the European Union on January 31, both sides agreed a standstill period while they establish a new partnership to replace 47 years of political and economic integration. London has the option to extend the transition beyond the end of 2020 but says it will not. So in June, it would decide "whether the UK's attention should move away from negotiations and focus solely on continuing domestic preparations to exit the transition period in an orderly fashion". Failure to reach a new agreement with the EU -- Britain's largest trading partner -- is likely to be hugely disruptive on both sides of the Channel.

United Kingdom rejects European Union trade demands, threatens to walk away

Amidst the backdrop of potentially long drawn out and convoluted negotiations between Britain and the EU over the nature and form of the former's relationship with the latter is lost a fundamental and even primaeval question: Can Britain have a foreign policy? The question assumes salience against the backdrop of an election that has perhaps moved past the fractiousness of the Brexit debate and its mechanics thereof. With the people’s will aggregated mostly on one party and its political philosophy for an assorted set of reasons, it is perhaps now time to also focus or more accurately focus on Britain’s relationship with the world and the country’s role in it.

There are basically two approaches that Britain can take: A more of the same one that would entail and mean what Gideon Rachman has called 'social work' and whose content is foreign aid coupled with a recalibration of the foreign service. The second, a more pragmatic one, would or could be to shake and dust off the vestiges of the ‘imperialist’ label and assert itself internationally. (Assertion here is not the same as imperial(ist)- a label that is oftentimes employed to hold down a state or society by inducing guilt).

It is essentially about power and its use. In this day and age, while it amounts to sating a cliché, the nature and form of power has changed. It is not that power- a contested concept- and its use have become mushy or sentimental. No. Not at all. It is that power, in all its dimensions, its form has come to incorporate and integrate both its ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ nature - a combination or synthesis that Joseph Nye, a Harvard academic termed ‘smart power'. It is this smart power that Britain must develop, cultivate and employ.

What, the question is, would a ‘smart power’ approach look for Britain?

First and foremost, Britain must shake off its abashedness about power and its employment. This shyness and coyness about power stem from Britain’s past, which is over. The legacy of the past must not be allowed to override the present and the future. &nbsp;The country must, to iterate another cliché, live in a future-oriented present while also living in the present. This has implications for how Britain thinks of, conceives and employs power. To make a digression here, in the final analysis, nation-states’ ultimate quest is for and of power and security. This is a cardinal axiom in the world of states that even a post-modern vision or version of politics might find difficult to argue. If this axiom holds, then Britain with its coyness of and about power will find itself overtaken substantially by others in the power game. It is then in the nature of an imperative for Britain to stay relevant or even ahead in the power game.

But, power is not merely about the number of missiles you have, or how quickly and effectively you can mobilise your army or war preparedness. It is all of the above and more: Power, in this day and age, is also, to paraphrase Joseph Nye is about agenda-setting. But agenda setting is a corollary of influence. And, Britain has, not only a diminished power capability in terms of hard power but also diminished influence. Does this mean that the country is destined or doomed to remain diminished in these areas and thus gradually lose relevance in and at the global stage?

No is the answer. Britain has huge reservoirs of influence embedded in the sinews of its social and economic structures plus institutions and as the defying of the doomsayers, economic prognostications about the impact of Brexit negotiations on the wider economy suggest, an inbuilt resilience to it. It is in the interstices of the two that Britain can reclaim and develop its smart power. For Britain then, the causality of power would be reversed; it can and must develop its power from the influence which stems from its institutions- &nbsp;its universities, &nbsp;its reasonably robust legal and judicial system, and generally tolerant society where people, in the main, feel home and so on.

In a world where other states, in the hard dimensions of power, are rapidly catching up, influence then becomes a key and vital element toward power. Within a balance of power setting, countering power with power can only generate frisson and friction but influence can lead to real power in these contexts: that of agenda-setting. It is this agenda-setting, power and influence, thereof that Britain must develop - an arena that is eminently possible and achievable for a middle power country – especially against the backdrop of the reservoirs of soft power Britain has: it's attractive and robust university system that offer diverse students all over the world pathways to better careers, the use of English as a global lingua franca, education and career development, and the country’s diversity are a natural contender for developing the country’s influence. Among other things, university outputs, systems and the graduates of these institutions become natural conveyors of influence that also allow a given country to radiate outward in a non-offensive and non-jarring manner.

But, while agenda-setting influence is or might be the end game, it is incomplete without the foundational elements of hard power, rendered all the more salient in a world where interstate competition and the imbalances of power are fluid and will get pronounced with the passage of time. Hard power capabilities are best when these hover in the backdrop; that is, when these are not actually used but rendered as instruments of diplomacy and a hedge against bullying and threats by others. And, without these capabilities, influence can only be skin deep. For Britain to develop into a relevant, influential global actor, it not only has to leverage all its potentialities but also develop a smart power strategy that allows it to have a foreign policy. This, given a range of factors and elements, is eminently doable.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

Amidst the backdrop of potentially long drawn out and convoluted negotiations between Britain and the EU over the nature and form of the former's relationship with the latter is lost a fundamental and even primaeval question: Can Britain have a foreign policy?

Amidst the backdrop of potentially long drawn out and convoluted negotiations between Britain and the EU over the nature and form of the former's relationship with the latter is lost a fundamental and even primaeval question: Can Britain have a foreign policy? The question assumes salience against the backdrop of an election that has perhaps moved past the fractiousness of the Brexit debate and its mechanics thereof. With the people’s will aggregated mostly on one party and its political philosophy for an assorted set of reasons, it is perhaps now time to also focus or more accurately focus on Britain’s relationship with the world and the country’s role in it. There are basically two approaches that Britain can take: A more of the same one that would entail and mean what Gideon Rachman has called 'social work' and whose content is foreign aid coupled with a recalibration of the foreign service. The second, a more pragmatic one, would or could be to shake and dust off the vestiges of the ‘imperialist’ label and assert itself internationally. (Assertion here is not the same as imperial(ist)- a label that is oftentimes employed to hold down a state or society by inducing guilt). It is essentially about power and its use. In this day and age, while it amounts to sating a cliché, the nature and form of power has changed. It is not that power- a contested concept- and its use have become mushy or sentimental. No. Not at all. It is that power, in all its dimensions, its form has come to incorporate and integrate both its ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ nature - a combination or synthesis that Joseph Nye, a Harvard academic termed ‘smart power'. It is this smart power that Britain must develop, cultivate and employ. What, the question is, would a ‘smart power’ approach look for Britain? First and foremost, Britain must shake off its abashedness about power and its employment. This shyness and coyness about power stem from Britain’s past, which is over. The legacy of the past must not be allowed to override the present and the future. The country must, to iterate another cliché, live in a future-oriented present while also living in the present. This has implications for how Britain thinks of, conceives and employs power. To make a digression here, in the final analysis, nation-states’ ultimate quest is for and of power and security. This is a cardinal axiom in the world of states that even a post-modern vision or version of politics might find difficult to argue. If this axiom holds, then Britain with its coyness of and about power will find itself overtaken substantially by others in the power game. It is then in the nature of an imperative for Britain to stay relevant or even ahead in the power game. But, power is not merely about the number of missiles you have, or how quickly and effectively you can mobilise your army or war preparedness. It is all of the above and more: Power, in this day and age, is also, to paraphrase Joseph Nye is about agenda-setting. But agenda setting is a corollary of influence. And, Britain has, not only a diminished power capability in terms of hard power but also diminished influence. Does this mean that the country is destined or doomed to remain diminished in these areas and thus gradually lose relevance in and at the global stage? No is the answer. Britain has huge reservoirs of influence embedded in the sinews of its social and economic structures plus institutions and as the defying of the doomsayers, economic prognostications about the impact of Brexit negotiations on the wider economy suggest, an inbuilt resilience to it. It is in the interstices of the two that Britain can reclaim and develop its smart power. For Britain then, the causality of power would be reversed; it can and must develop its power from the influence which stems from its institutions- its universities, its reasonably robust legal and judicial system, and generally tolerant society where people, in the main, feel home and so on. In a world where other states, in the hard dimensions of power, are rapidly catching up, influence then becomes a key and vital element toward power. Within a balance of power setting, countering power with power can only generate frisson and friction but influence can lead to real power in these contexts: that of agenda-setting. It is this agenda-setting, power and influence, thereof that Britain must develop - an arena that is eminently possible and achievable for a middle power country – especially against the backdrop of the reservoirs of soft power Britain has: it's attractive and robust university system that offer diverse students all over the world pathways to better careers, the use of English as a global lingua franca, education and career development, and the country’s diversity are a natural contender for developing the country’s influence. Among other things, university outputs, systems and the graduates of these institutions become natural conveyors of influence that also allow a given country to radiate outward in a non-offensive and non-jarring manner. But, while agenda-setting influence is or might be the end game, it is incomplete without the foundational elements of hard power, rendered all the more salient in a world where interstate competition and the imbalances of power are fluid and will get pronounced with the passage of time. Hard power capabilities are best when these hover in the backdrop; that is, when these are not actually used but rendered as instruments of diplomacy and a hedge against bullying and threats by others. And, without these capabilities, influence can only be skin deep. For Britain to develop into a relevant, influential global actor, it not only has to leverage all its potentialities but also develop a smart power strategy that allows it to have a foreign policy. This, given a range of factors and elements, is eminently doable. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

How Britain can shape its foreign policy?

After Ciara, Storm Dennis batters Britain!

Britain on Monday grappled with the fallout from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/storm-dennis-one-person-dies-as-heavy-flooding-and-high-winds-hit-uk-280997">Storm&nbsp;Dennis</a>, with several major incidents declared due to flooding and hundreds of warnings still in place after it battered the country over the weekend.

The second severe storm in a week to hit <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-uk-issues-rare-danger-to-life-warning-over-storm-dennis-280930">Britain </a>brought high winds of more than 90 miles an hour and more than a month's worth of rain in 48 hours in some places, leading officials to issue rare "danger to life" warnings.

The storm also pummelled much of France, with some 20,000 people still without electricity on Monday after suffering power cuts in the northwest of the country and rail traffic disrupted.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/storm-dennis-one-person-dies-as-heavy-flooding-and-high-winds-hit-uk-280997">Storm Dennis: One person dies as heavy flooding and high winds hit UK</a>

"This is not yet over," warned James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency, which is responsible for flood protection in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-uk-issues-rare-danger-to-life-warning-over-storm-dennis-280930">England</a>.

"We still have many flood warnings in force and we may still see significant flooding in the middle of this week from larger rivers," he told BBC radio.

Bevan said more than 400 homes in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/storm-dennis-one-person-dies-as-heavy-flooding-and-high-winds-hit-uk-280997">England </a>had been flooded while at least 1,000 agency staff were working around the clock alongside emergency officials "to protect and support those communities which have been hit".

More than 600 warnings and alerts a record number were issued on Sunday, extending from the River Tweed on the border of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-uk-issues-rare-danger-to-life-warning-over-storm-dennis-280930">England </a>and Scotland to Cornwall in southwest <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-uk-issues-rare-danger-to-life-warning-over-storm-dennis-280930">England</a>.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/after-ciara-storm-dennis-pounds-britain-281139">After Ciara, Storm Dennis pounds Britain!</a>

After a day of torrential rain, major flooding incidents were later declared in south Wales and parts of western <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/storm-dennis-one-person-dies-as-heavy-flooding-and-high-winds-hit-uk-280997">England</a>.

Some&nbsp;five "severe" warnings denoting lives could be endangered by the flooding remained active Monday on two rivers in Worcestershire and Herefordshire in west-central England.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service on Sunday airlifted to hospital one man pulled from the River Teme, who was in a stable condition on Monday.&nbsp;

But emergency responders suspended the search overnight for a missing woman also swept away by the floodwater near the town of flood-prone town of Tenbury, according to police.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-uk-issues-rare-danger-to-life-warning-over-storm-dennis-280930">UK issues rare 'danger to life' warning over Storm Dennis</a>

"The search has continued this morning, including the use of the police helicopter," said Chief Superintendent Tom Harding, from West Mercia Police.&nbsp;

"Sadly, however, due to the circumstances of the length of time in the water and other conditions, we believe that this will now be a recovery rather than a rescue operation."

Two rivers in south Wales burst their banks, prompting rescue workers to launch operations in several places to evacuate people and their pets trapped in their homes.

Police said a man in his 60s died after entering the River Tawe, north of the Welsh city of Swansea but later clarified that the death was not "linked to the adverse weather".

On Saturday, the coastguard said the bodies of two men were pulled from rough seas off the south coast of England as the storm barrelled in.

One is thought to have been the subject of a search triggered when a tanker reported that one of its crew was unaccounted for.

In northern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-uk-issues-rare-danger-to-life-warning-over-storm-dennis-280930">England</a>, the defence ministry deployed troops in West Yorkshire, which suffered badly from flooding caused by last weekend's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-uk-issues-rare-danger-to-life-warning-over-storm-dennis-280930">Storm Ciara</a>.

There are fears rivers there could burst their banks later on Monday.

Britain on Monday grappled with the fallout from Storm Dennis, with several major incidents declared due to flooding and hundreds of warnings still in place after it battered the country over the weekend.

Britain on Monday grappled with the fallout from Storm Dennis, with several major incidents declared due to flooding and hundreds of warnings still in place after it battered the country over the weekend. The second severe storm in a week to hit Britain brought high winds of more than 90 miles an hour and more than a month's worth of rain in 48 hours in some places, leading officials to issue rare "danger to life" warnings. The storm also pummelled much of France, with some 20,000 people still without electricity on Monday after suffering power cuts in the northwest of the country and rail traffic disrupted. Also read: Storm Dennis: One person dies as heavy flooding and high winds hit UK "This is not yet over," warned James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency, which is responsible for flood protection in England. "We still have many flood warnings in force and we may still see significant flooding in the middle of this week from larger rivers," he told BBC radio. Bevan said more than 400 homes in England had been flooded while at least 1,000 agency staff were working around the clock alongside emergency officials "to protect and support those communities which have been hit". More than 600 warnings and alerts a record number were issued on Sunday, extending from the River Tweed on the border of England and Scotland to Cornwall in southwest England. Also see: After Ciara, Storm Dennis pounds Britain! After a day of torrential rain, major flooding incidents were later declared in south Wales and parts of western England. Some five "severe" warnings denoting lives could be endangered by the flooding remained active Monday on two rivers in Worcestershire and Herefordshire in west-central England. Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service on Sunday airlifted to hospital one man pulled from the River Teme, who was in a stable condition on Monday. But emergency responders suspended the search overnight for a missing woman also swept away by the floodwater near the town of flood-prone town of Tenbury, according to police. Also read: UK issues rare 'danger to life' warning over Storm Dennis "The search has continued this morning, including the use of the police helicopter," said Chief Superintendent Tom Harding, from West Mercia Police. "Sadly, however, due to the circumstances of the length of time in the water and other conditions, we believe that this will now be a recovery rather than a rescue operation." Two rivers in south Wales burst their banks, prompting rescue workers to launch operations in several places to evacuate people and their pets trapped in their homes. Police said a man in his 60s died after entering the River Tawe, north of the Welsh city of Swansea but later clarified that the death was not "linked to the adverse weather". On Saturday, the coastguard said the bodies of two men were pulled from rough seas off the south coast of England as the storm barrelled in. One is thought to have been the subject of a search triggered when a tanker reported that one of its crew was unaccounted for. In northern England, the defence ministry deployed troops in West Yorkshire, which suffered badly from flooding caused by last weekend's Storm Ciara. There are fears rivers there could burst their banks later on Monday.

Storm Dennis wreaks havoc across United Kingdom, parts of France

Over 90 men from 12 countries including Denmark, Britain, Japan and Brazil took part in the first Beard & Moustache competition. They came together to pick the best in several categories - corporate, casual and hipster. The atmosphere in the bar was intense as the participants showed off their assets to a cheering crowd.

Long, bushy and soft - Belarus picks the best beard

Britain's finance minister, <a href="Sajid Javid">Sajid Javid</a>, resigned on Thursday, just weeks after Brexit and a month before he was due to deliver the government's annual budget.&nbsp;Rishi Sunak replaced Javid.

Sunak, 39, has a business background and previously served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, effectively Javid's number two.

Javid's spokesman confirmed he would be leaving just as Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-will-prosper-prime-minister-johnson-sets-out-tough-terms-for-eu-talks-278292">Boris Johnson</a> carried out the first reshuffle of his cabinet since winning a parliamentary majority in December's election.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-will-prosper-prime-minister-johnson-sets-out-tough-terms-for-eu-talks-278292">'Britain will prosper': Prime Minister Johnson&nbsp;</a>

The domestic Press Association news agency quoted an unnamed source close to Javid as saying Johnson wanted him to sack his team of aides but he refused.

"He has turned down the job of Chancellor of the Exchequer," the source said.

"The prime minister said he had to fire all his special advisers and replace them with Number 10 special advisers to make it one team.

"The chancellor said no self-respecting minister would accept those terms."

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/chief-characters-in-britains-brexit-saga-277805">Chief characters in Britain's years-long Brexit saga</a>

Javid's resignation came after Johnson replaced Northern Ireland minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-will-prosper-prime-minister-johnson-sets-out-tough-terms-for-eu-talks-278292">Julian Smith</a>, in a surprise move just weeks after he brokered the restoration of power-sharing government in Belfast.

It follows weeks of rumours about tensions between the Treasury and the premier's closest adviser, Dominic Cummings, who has promised a shake-up of government operations.

Javid, 50, is a former high-flying banker who moved into politics, serving as interior minister before replacing Philip Hammond as chancellor of the exchequer in July last year.

Hammond locked horns with Johnson's predecessor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-will-prosper-prime-minister-johnson-sets-out-tough-terms-for-eu-talks-278292">Theresa May</a> over her Brexit strategy.

Britain's finance minister, Sajid Javid, resigned on Thursday, just weeks after Brexit and a month before he was due to deliver the government's annual budget. Rishi Sunak replaced Javid.

Britain's finance minister, Sajid Javid, resigned on Thursday, just weeks after Brexit and a month before he was due to deliver the government's annual budget. Rishi Sunak replaced Javid. Sunak, 39, has a business background and previously served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, effectively Javid's number two. Javid's spokesman confirmed he would be leaving just as Prime Minister Boris Johnson carried out the first reshuffle of his cabinet since winning a parliamentary majority in December's election. Also read: 'Britain will prosper': Prime Minister Johnson The domestic Press Association news agency quoted an unnamed source close to Javid as saying Johnson wanted him to sack his team of aides but he refused. "He has turned down the job of Chancellor of the Exchequer," the source said. "The prime minister said he had to fire all his special advisers and replace them with Number 10 special advisers to make it one team. "The chancellor said no self-respecting minister would accept those terms." Also see: Chief characters in Britain's years-long Brexit saga Javid's resignation came after Johnson replaced Northern Ireland minister Julian Smith, in a surprise move just weeks after he brokered the restoration of power-sharing government in Belfast. It follows weeks of rumours about tensions between the Treasury and the premier's closest adviser, Dominic Cummings, who has promised a shake-up of government operations. Javid, 50, is a former high-flying banker who moved into politics, serving as interior minister before replacing Philip Hammond as chancellor of the exchequer in July last year. Hammond locked horns with Johnson's predecessor Theresa May over her Brexit strategy.

Yorkshire's Rishi Sunak takes over treasury as British finance minister Sajid Javid quits in reshuffle

Storm Ciara disrupts life in Europe

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