Nirav Modi appeared via videolink before a court on Thursday for a two-day hearing of final submissions in his fight against being extradited to India.

UK: Two day hearing of Nirav Modi case ends, verdict expected on February 25

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London warned on Friday that coronavirus situation was 'critical' as UK's National Health Service was hard pressed to contain the pandemic situation. News reports even said that NHS was at the risk of being overwhelmed.

Mayor Sadiq Khan warned that more people would die unless urgent steps were taken.

His comments came on the same day UK reported a record 1,325 coronavirus deaths over 24 hours.

Number of COVID cases in London has already exceeded 1,000 per 100,000 people.

'Exhausted'

The NHS head said there were 50 percent more Covid patients in hospitals now than during the April peak.&nbsp; 
Some 10,000 more coronavirus patients have been hospitalised since December 25 alone, the equivalent of 20 acute-care hospitals.

"Staff are exhausted," said Lindsey Izard, matron of the general intensive care unit at St George's Hospital in London. "The worry is that we haven't probably reached the peak yet."

The sharp rise has forced hospital bosses to consider shifting some in-patients to beds in nursing homes or care homes, said Chris Hopson, the head of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals in England.

But the health ministry signalled possible relief by announcing that two "live-saving" Covid treatments would be made available for patients in intensive care.

The drugs -- tocilizumab and sarilumab -- have been shown to reduce risk of death by 24 percent for critically ill patients, and cut the time spent in intensive care by up to 10 days, it said.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock called the deployment of the drugs, normally used for rheumatoid arthritis, a "landmark development". Johnson said they could save thousands of lives.

(With AFP inputs)

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London warned on Friday that coronavirus situation was 'critical' as UK's National Health Service was hard pressed to contain the pandemic situation.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London warned on Friday that coronavirus situation was 'critical' as UK's National Health Service was hard pressed to contain the pandemic situation. News reports even said that NHS was at the risk of being overwhelmed. Mayor Sadiq Khan warned that more people would die unless urgent steps were taken. His comments came on the same day UK reported a record 1,325 coronavirus deaths over 24 hours. Number of COVID cases in London has already exceeded 1,000 per 100,000 people. 'Exhausted' The NHS head said there were 50 percent more Covid patients in hospitals now than during the April peak. Some 10,000 more coronavirus patients have been hospitalised since December 25 alone, the equivalent of 20 acute-care hospitals. "Staff are exhausted," said Lindsey Izard, matron of the general intensive care unit at St George's Hospital in London. "The worry is that we haven't probably reached the peak yet." The sharp rise has forced hospital bosses to consider shifting some in-patients to beds in nursing homes or care homes, said Chris Hopson, the head of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals in England. But the health ministry signalled possible relief by announcing that two "live-saving" Covid treatments would be made available for patients in intensive care. The drugs -- tocilizumab and sarilumab -- have been shown to reduce risk of death by 24 percent for critically ill patients, and cut the time spent in intensive care by up to 10 days, it said. Health Secretary Matt Hancock called the deployment of the drugs, normally used for rheumatoid arthritis, a "landmark development". Johnson said they could save thousands of lives. (With AFP inputs)

UK logs record COVID deaths, London mayor says situation 'critical'

The English Football League, which governs the three divisions below the Premier League, said on Friday that&nbsp;112&nbsp;individuals tested&nbsp;positive&nbsp;for&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;in the&nbsp;latest&nbsp;round&nbsp;of testing.

This week's&nbsp;tests&nbsp;involved 66&nbsp;EFL&nbsp;clubs including all of those playing in the FA Cup third&nbsp;round. The six clubs not covered will be tested ahead of their next league fixtures.

The&nbsp;EFL&nbsp;did not name the clubs or players who tested&nbsp;positive&nbsp;for the novel coronavirus, but said the infected individuals will self-isolate for 10 days.

"Following the&nbsp;latest&nbsp;round&nbsp;of mandated&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;tests, the&nbsp;EFL&nbsp;can confirm that 3,507 players and club staff from 66&nbsp;EFL&nbsp;Clubs were tested over the course of the past week with&nbsp;112&nbsp;individuals testing&nbsp;positive," the&nbsp;EFL&nbsp;said in a statement https://www.efl.com/news/2021/january/efl-statement-covid-19-test-results.

The&nbsp;EFL&nbsp;said it was confident its&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;testing protocols "continue to mitigate against the spread of infection as intended" despite the surging infection rate in Britain caused by a new variant of the virus.

The United Kingdom has recorded more than 2.8 million confirmed&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;cases and more than 78,000 deaths, according to a Reuters tally.

The&nbsp;EFL&nbsp;added that it will conduct twice-weekly&nbsp;tests&nbsp;for its 72 clubs, starting on Monday.

Second-tier Championship side Brentford said https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2021/january/positive-covid-19-tests-at-brentford-fc their manager Thomas Frank had tested&nbsp;positive&nbsp;on Thursday, two days after their 2-0 League Cup semi-final loss at Tottenham Hotspur.

League One (third-tier) Shrewsbury Town's FA Cup third&nbsp;round&nbsp;match at Southampton on Saturday was called off on Thursday due to several&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;cases in their camp.

Derby County said on Wednesday their first-team squad and interim manager Wayne Rooney would not be involved in Saturday's FA Cup match at sixth-tier Chorley as they were self-isolating following an outbreak of&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;at the club.

Middlesbrough also said preparations for their third-round&nbsp;match at Brentford had been affected after a number of their first-team players and staff tested&nbsp;positive.

The English Football League, which governs the three divisions below the Premier League, said on Friday that 112 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 in the latest round of testing.

The English Football League, which governs the three divisions below the Premier League, said on Friday that 112 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 in the latest round of testing. This week's tests involved 66 EFL clubs including all of those playing in the FA Cup third round. The six clubs not covered will be tested ahead of their next league fixtures. The EFL did not name the clubs or players who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, but said the infected individuals will self-isolate for 10 days. "Following the latest round of mandated Covid-19 tests, the EFL can confirm that 3,507 players and club staff from 66 EFL Clubs were tested over the course of the past week with 112 individuals testing positive," the EFL said in a statement https://www.efl.com/news/2021/january/efl-statement-covid-19-test-results. The EFL said it was confident its COVID-19 testing protocols "continue to mitigate against the spread of infection as intended" despite the surging infection rate in Britain caused by a new variant of the virus. The United Kingdom has recorded more than 2.8 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 78,000 deaths, according to a Reuters tally. The EFL added that it will conduct twice-weekly tests for its 72 clubs, starting on Monday. Second-tier Championship side Brentford said https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2021/january/positive-covid-19-tests-at-brentford-fc their manager Thomas Frank had tested positive on Thursday, two days after their 2-0 League Cup semi-final loss at Tottenham Hotspur. League One (third-tier) Shrewsbury Town's FA Cup third round match at Southampton on Saturday was called off on Thursday due to several COVID-19 cases in their camp. Derby County said on Wednesday their first-team squad and interim manager Wayne Rooney would not be involved in Saturday's FA Cup match at sixth-tier Chorley as they were self-isolating following an outbreak of COVID-19 at the club. Middlesbrough also said preparations for their third-round match at Brentford had been affected after a number of their first-team players and staff tested positive.

EFL records 112 positive COVID-19 tests in latest round

Liverpool and Everton have helped out Merseyside neighbours Marine as they bid to pull off the greatest upset in FA Cup history against Tottenham on Sunday, the manager of the eighth-tier club has revealed.

There has never been such a wide disparity in league positions between two teams at the third-round stage the competition, when the big teams enter the fray.

Spurs are fourth in the Premier League, while part-timers Marine ply their trade in the Northern Premier League North/West division -- the eighth tier of the English game.

Liverpool, who beat Spurs in the Premier League last month, have provided Marine with video analysis of Jose Mourinho's side as well as use of their training ground.

"We are as well-prepped as we can be from a part-time perspective," said Marine manager Neil Young.

"I have done a lot of analysis with the help of Liverpool, who have given us some information in terms of the games. We have done a lot of analysis on them (Spurs)."

Marine, whose league season is currently suspended as a result of strict coronavirus measures, have faced problems with their training facilities and are grateful for help from their two giant Premier League neighbours.

"Our pitch where we were due to train yesterday had to be covered due to the frost and then leisure centres that we would normally use to train have been closed because of (the Covid-19) lockdown," said Young.

"We are very thankful that Everton stepped in to allow us to train last-minute at their training ground at Finch Farm and Liverpool have stepped in to allow us to train there tomorrow (Saturday)."

"We are very grateful for that. From a part-time perspective it is a little bit of a nightmare with these Covid restrictions."

Liverpool and Everton have helped out Merseyside neighbours Marine as they bid to pull off the greatest upset in FA Cup history against Tottenham on Sunday, the manager of the eighth-tier club has revealed.

Liverpool and Everton have helped out Merseyside neighbours Marine as they bid to pull off the greatest upset in FA Cup history against Tottenham on Sunday, the manager of the eighth-tier club has revealed. There has never been such a wide disparity in league positions between two teams at the third-round stage the competition, when the big teams enter the fray. Spurs are fourth in the Premier League, while part-timers Marine ply their trade in the Northern Premier League North/West division -- the eighth tier of the English game. Liverpool, who beat Spurs in the Premier League last month, have provided Marine with video analysis of Jose Mourinho's side as well as use of their training ground. "We are as well-prepped as we can be from a part-time perspective," said Marine manager Neil Young. "I have done a lot of analysis with the help of Liverpool, who have given us some information in terms of the games. We have done a lot of analysis on them (Spurs)." Marine, whose league season is currently suspended as a result of strict coronavirus measures, have faced problems with their training facilities and are grateful for help from their two giant Premier League neighbours. "Our pitch where we were due to train yesterday had to be covered due to the frost and then leisure centres that we would normally use to train have been closed because of (the Covid-19) lockdown," said Young. "We are very thankful that Everton stepped in to allow us to train last-minute at their training ground at Finch Farm and Liverpool have stepped in to allow us to train there tomorrow (Saturday)." "We are very grateful for that. From a part-time perspective it is a little bit of a nightmare with these Covid restrictions."

Liverpool and Everton help out FA Cup minnows Marine

According to a new report, London's population is all set to decline for the first time in the 21st century. The reason is the economic fallout of the pandemic along with the rise of work from home policies.

COVID-19 Pandemic: People leave London for greener pastures

UK on Friday approved coronavirus vaccine developed by Moderna for mass inoculation. This is a third vaccine that has got a go-ahead in UK. The government is aiming to incolute 15 million by mid-February. 1.5 million people have been given doses of Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccines since Decemeber.

Go ahead to the Moderna vaccine was given by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock welcomed the development and said that the approval was another shot in the arm for UK's vaccination programme.

"Moderna's vaccine will allow us to accelerate our vaccination programme even further once doses become available from the spring."

The MHRA was the first regulator in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca jabs, allowing the start of what health chiefs said is Britain's biggest-ever vaccination drive.

Hancock's department said the Moderna jab "meets the regulator's strict standards of safety, efficacy and quality".

Its authorisation follows months of clinical trials involving tens of thousands of people, and extensive analysis of its safety, quality and effectiveness.

England's deputy chief medical officer, Jonathan Van-Tam, called the vaccine "highly effective" and said it was "another impressive success for science".

The Department of Health and Social Care said it was 94 percent effective in preventing disease, including in the elderly.

Britain has ordered 17 million doses of the vaccine, which will be delivered in the coming months once Moderna increases production capacity, it added.

Elderly residents and staff at care homes, the over-70s and the clinically extremely vulnerable are first in line for the jabs, and the government has stepped up the programme to meet its February target.

More than 1,000 new vaccination sites, including in community pharmacies and even supermarket car parks, are expected to be open by the end of this week.

Army logistics specialists have been drafted in to help with supply and deliveries.

Britain has secured early access to 367 million doses of seven of the most promising vaccine candidates.

The Moderna announcement comes with much of Britain under a renewed lockdown to try to cut spiralling infection rates and deaths blamed on a fast-spreading variant of the virus.

A total of 1,162 new deaths within 28 days of a positive test were recorded on Thursday -- the highest since the first-wave peak in April last year.

Overall, some 2.9 million people have been infected.

Stay-at-home restrictions, which include school closures, are expected to last until at least mid-February.

"This is further great news and another weapon in our arsenal to tame this awful disease," he said.

"Moderna's vaccine will allow us to accelerate our vaccination programme even further once doses become available from the spring."

The MHRA was the first regulator in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca jabs, allowing the start of what health chiefs said is Britain's biggest-ever vaccination drive.

Hancock's department said the Moderna jab "meets the regulator's strict standards of safety, efficacy and quality".

Its authorisation follows months of clinical trials involving tens of thousands of people, and extensive analysis of its safety, quality and effectiveness.

England's deputy chief medical officer, Jonathan Van-Tam, called the vaccine "highly effective" and said it was "another impressive success for science".

The Department of Health and Social Care said it was 94 percent effective in preventing disease, including in the elderly.

Britain has ordered 17 million doses of the vaccine, which will be delivered in the coming months once Moderna increases production capacity, it added.

Elderly residents and staff at care homes, the over-70s and the clinically extremely vulnerable are first in line for the jabs, and the government has stepped up the programme to meet its February target.

More than 1,000 new vaccination sites, including in community pharmacies and even supermarket car parks, are expected to be open by the end of this week.

Army logistics specialists have been drafted in to help with supply and deliveries.

Britain has secured early access to 367 million doses of seven of the most promising vaccine candidates.

The Moderna announcement comes with much of Britain under a renewed lockdown to try to cut spiralling infection rates and deaths blamed on a fast-spreading variant of the virus.

A total of 1,162 new deaths within 28 days of a positive test were recorded on Thursday -- the highest since the first-wave peak in April last year. 
Overall, some 2.9 million people have been infected.

Stay-at-home restrictions, which include school closures, are expected to last until at least mid-February.

(With AFP inputs)

UK on Friday approved coronavirus vaccine developed by Moderna for mass inoculation. This is a third vaccine that has got a go-ahead in UK. The government is aiming to incolute 15 million by mid-February.

UK on Friday approved coronavirus vaccine developed by Moderna for mass inoculation. This is a third vaccine that has got a go-ahead in UK. The government is aiming to incolute 15 million by mid-February. 1.5 million people have been given doses of Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccines since Decemeber. Go ahead to the Moderna vaccine was given by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock welcomed the development and said that the approval was another shot in the arm for UK's vaccination programme. "Moderna's vaccine will allow us to accelerate our vaccination programme even further once doses become available from the spring." The MHRA was the first regulator in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca jabs, allowing the start of what health chiefs said is Britain's biggest-ever vaccination drive. Hancock's department said the Moderna jab "meets the regulator's strict standards of safety, efficacy and quality". Its authorisation follows months of clinical trials involving tens of thousands of people, and extensive analysis of its safety, quality and effectiveness. England's deputy chief medical officer, Jonathan Van-Tam, called the vaccine "highly effective" and said it was "another impressive success for science". The Department of Health and Social Care said it was 94 percent effective in preventing disease, including in the elderly. Britain has ordered 17 million doses of the vaccine, which will be delivered in the coming months once Moderna increases production capacity, it added. Elderly residents and staff at care homes, the over-70s and the clinically extremely vulnerable are first in line for the jabs, and the government has stepped up the programme to meet its February target. More than 1,000 new vaccination sites, including in community pharmacies and even supermarket car parks, are expected to be open by the end of this week. Army logistics specialists have been drafted in to help with supply and deliveries. Britain has secured early access to 367 million doses of seven of the most promising vaccine candidates. The Moderna announcement comes with much of Britain under a renewed lockdown to try to cut spiralling infection rates and deaths blamed on a fast-spreading variant of the virus. A total of 1,162 new deaths within 28 days of a positive test were recorded on Thursday -- the highest since the first-wave peak in April last year. Overall, some 2.9 million people have been infected. Stay-at-home restrictions, which include school closures, are expected to last until at least mid-February. "This is further great news and another weapon in our arsenal to tame this awful disease," he said. "Moderna's vaccine will allow us to accelerate our vaccination programme even further once doses become available from the spring." The MHRA was the first regulator in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca jabs, allowing the start of what health chiefs said is Britain's biggest-ever vaccination drive. Hancock's department said the Moderna jab "meets the regulator's strict standards of safety, efficacy and quality". Its authorisation follows months of clinical trials involving tens of thousands of people, and extensive analysis of its safety, quality and effectiveness. England's deputy chief medical officer, Jonathan Van-Tam, called the vaccine "highly effective" and said it was "another impressive success for science". The Department of Health and Social Care said it was 94 percent effective in preventing disease, including in the elderly. Britain has ordered 17 million doses of the vaccine, which will be delivered in the coming months once Moderna increases production capacity, it added. Elderly residents and staff at care homes, the over-70s and the clinically extremely vulnerable are first in line for the jabs, and the government has stepped up the programme to meet its February target. More than 1,000 new vaccination sites, including in community pharmacies and even supermarket car parks, are expected to be open by the end of this week. Army logistics specialists have been drafted in to help with supply and deliveries. Britain has secured early access to 367 million doses of seven of the most promising vaccine candidates. The Moderna announcement comes with much of Britain under a renewed lockdown to try to cut spiralling infection rates and deaths blamed on a fast-spreading variant of the virus. A total of 1,162 new deaths within 28 days of a positive test were recorded on Thursday -- the highest since the first-wave peak in April last year. Overall, some 2.9 million people have been infected. Stay-at-home restrictions, which include school closures, are expected to last until at least mid-February. (With AFP inputs)

Moderna COVID vaccine gets approval in UK

Staff at the UK's largest zoo kicked off the biggest task of the year in the snow Thursday (7 JANUARY 2021): their annual stocktake. The keepers at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England, must count every invertebrate, bird, fish, mammal, reptile and amphibian, as required as part of the zoo's license.

UK's largest zoo pauses for stocktake; highlights the positives of conservation efforts during pandemic lockdown

UK police on Friday said that seven Nigerian men have been arrested on suspicion of attempting to hijack an oil tanker off the coast of southern England last year will face no further action.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-lives-matter-activists-note-contrast-in-police-response-at-capitol-355386" hreflang="en">Black Lives Matter activists note contrast in police response at Capitol</a>

According to police in the southern county of Hampshire, prosecutors made the decision following the emergence of "additional evidence" during the investigation.

"After additional maritime expert evidence came to light, we concluded there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction and discontinued the case," prosecutor Sophie Stevens said in a statement released by police.

The men, who smuggled themselves aboard in the Nigerian city of Lagos, were found on the Nave Andromeda oil tanker. It sparked a special forces raid as the vessel passed near the Isle of Wight.

Police arrested them on suspicion of "seizing or exercising control of a ship by use of threats or force" after a mayday call from the 43,000-tonne tanker.

As per police, the seven will remain detained under immigration powers.&nbsp;

Two of the group had previously been charged and already appeared in court.

According to detectives, the men threatened the 22-member crew, forcing them to seek sanctuary in the ship's citadel, from where they raised the alarm.

The Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned vessel, which was six miles (10 kilometres) off the Isle of Wight on England's south coast at the time, was eventually taken to the port of Southampton.

(Inputs from AFP)

UK police on Friday said that seven Nigerian men have been arrested on suspicion of attempting to hijack an oil tanker off the coast of southern England last year will face no further action.

UK police on Friday said that seven Nigerian men have been arrested on suspicion of attempting to hijack an oil tanker off the coast of southern England last year will face no further action. ALSO READ: Black Lives Matter activists note contrast in police response at Capitol According to police in the southern county of Hampshire, prosecutors made the decision following the emergence of "additional evidence" during the investigation. "After additional maritime expert evidence came to light, we concluded there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction and discontinued the case," prosecutor Sophie Stevens said in a statement released by police. The men, who smuggled themselves aboard in the Nigerian city of Lagos, were found on the Nave Andromeda oil tanker. It sparked a special forces raid as the vessel passed near the Isle of Wight. Police arrested them on suspicion of "seizing or exercising control of a ship by use of threats or force" after a mayday call from the 43,000-tonne tanker. As per police, the seven will remain detained under immigration powers. Two of the group had previously been charged and already appeared in court. According to detectives, the men threatened the 22-member crew, forcing them to seek sanctuary in the ship's citadel, from where they raised the alarm. The Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned vessel, which was six miles (10 kilometres) off the Isle of Wight on England's south coast at the time, was eventually taken to the port of Southampton. (Inputs from AFP)

Seven Nigerian men accused in UK of tanker 'hijack' to face no action

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called China's mass arrest of politicians and activists in Hong Kong "unacceptable" and said it was "further evidence" of China violating the freedoms and autonomy of people in Hong Kong.

UK rebukes China for mass arrests in Hong Kong

UK on Wednesday rebuked China for the mass arrest of politicians and activists in Hong Kong which it said was a grievous attack on the rights of the former colony.

UK rebukes China for 'grievous attack' on Hong Kong's rights

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday any end to the latest lockdown in England will be a "gradual unwrapping" when the regions of the country will move out of stringent restrictions step by step. 
 
Addressing parliament before lawmakers are due to vote on the lockdown, Johnson said he had resisted shutting school until the last moment, but was forced to do so. Schools, he said, would be the very first to open when the lockdown ends. 
 
Urging caution over any timetable for the re-opening of the country, he said: "And as was the case last spring, our emergence from the lockdown cocoon will not be a big bang but a gradual unwrapping." 
&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday any end to the latest lockdown in England will be a "gradual unwrapping" when the regions of the country will move out of stringent restrictions step by step.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday any end to the latest lockdown in England will be a "gradual unwrapping" when the regions of the country will move out of stringent restrictions step by step. Addressing parliament before lawmakers are due to vote on the lockdown, Johnson said he had resisted shutting school until the last moment, but was forced to do so. Schools, he said, would be the very first to open when the lockdown ends. Urging caution over any timetable for the re-opening of the country, he said: "And as was the case last spring, our emergence from the lockdown cocoon will not be a big bang but a gradual unwrapping."

UK PM Johnson says end of lockdown in England will be slow unwrapping

The rising number of coronavirus cases in the UK continue to remain a worry across the world. Several nations have imposed flight restrictions on UK in a bid to curb the new virus strain from spreading across the world.

New COVID strain leads to 60,000 new cases in UK

British actress Banita Sandhu, who starred in Shoojit Sircar's 'October' 2017 has tested positive for COVID-19. Sandhu is in Kolkata shooting a film called 'Kavita and Teresa'.&nbsp; 
 
Reports state that Sandhu refused to be treated in a government facility and has now been admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata. Sandhu is a British actress of Indian origin.&nbsp; 
 
According to reports, Sandhu reached the city on December 20 and she travelled in the same flight with the youth who tested positive for the mutant coronavirus strain on his return from the United Kingdom. 
 
She was detected with the COVID-19 on Monday afternoon and steps were initiated to ascertain whether she has been infected with the new strain, an official said. 
 
After Sandhu was taken to the Beliaghata Infectious Diseases Hospital where a separate unit has been set up to keep those returned from the UK, the 23-year-old actress refused to come out of the ambulance alleging that the hospital lacked proper infrastructure. 
 
"We had to inform the state secretariat and the health department as she was unwilling to come out of the ambulance and at one point of time, she wanted to leave. 
 
"The British High Commission was informed as we cannot let her go like this which is against the protocol. We had to inform the police also. They (police personnel) came and surrounded the ambulance so that she cannot leave," the official said. 
 
Sandhu was counselled several times by senior doctors of the hospital but their efforts went in vain. 
 
"Eventually, with the permission of the health department, she was admitted to a private hospital," the official said adding that Sandhu has been kept in an isolated cabin there. 
 
Before leaving Beliaghata ID hospital, the actress was made to sign a declaration that she was unwilling to get admitted there as "she felt the medical establishment lacked infrastructure". 
 
'Kavita &amp; Teresa' by Swiss-Indian filmmaker Kamal Musale is about love and compassion inspired by the life of Mother Teresa, according to the website of the movie.&nbsp;

British actress Banita Sandhu, who starred in Shoojit Sircar's 'October' 2017 has tested positive for COVID-19. Sandhu is in Kolkata shooting a film called 'Kavita and Teresa'.

British actress Banita Sandhu, who starred in Shoojit Sircar's 'October' 2017 has tested positive for COVID-19. Sandhu is in Kolkata shooting a film called 'Kavita and Teresa'. Reports state that Sandhu refused to be treated in a government facility and has now been admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata. Sandhu is a British actress of Indian origin. According to reports, Sandhu reached the city on December 20 and she travelled in the same flight with the youth who tested positive for the mutant coronavirus strain on his return from the United Kingdom. She was detected with the COVID-19 on Monday afternoon and steps were initiated to ascertain whether she has been infected with the new strain, an official said. After Sandhu was taken to the Beliaghata Infectious Diseases Hospital where a separate unit has been set up to keep those returned from the UK, the 23-year-old actress refused to come out of the ambulance alleging that the hospital lacked proper infrastructure. "We had to inform the state secretariat and the health department as she was unwilling to come out of the ambulance and at one point of time, she wanted to leave. "The British High Commission was informed as we cannot let her go like this which is against the protocol. We had to inform the police also. They (police personnel) came and surrounded the ambulance so that she cannot leave," the official said. Sandhu was counselled several times by senior doctors of the hospital but their efforts went in vain. "Eventually, with the permission of the health department, she was admitted to a private hospital," the official said adding that Sandhu has been kept in an isolated cabin there. Before leaving Beliaghata ID hospital, the actress was made to sign a declaration that she was unwilling to get admitted there as "she felt the medical establishment lacked infrastructure". 'Kavita & Teresa' by Swiss-Indian filmmaker Kamal Musale is about love and compassion inspired by the life of Mother Teresa, according to the website of the movie.

British actress Banita Sandhu tests positive for coronavirus in Kolkata, refuses treatment at government hospital 

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

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces another national lockdown

After weeks of administering the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, the UK has become the first country to give the first shot of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine on Monday.

UK begins rollout of AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday warned the country of tougher coronavirus restrictions in coming days owing to surge in coronavirus cases. He was speaking with BBC. Britain recorded 57,725 new coronavirus cases on Saturday. On top of that, a new virus strain is tearing through the country.

"It may be that we need to do things in the next few weeks that will be tougher in many parts of the country," Johnson told the BBC's The Andrew Marr Show.

"I'm fully, fully reconciled to that."

UK's health officials are concerned about the possibility that surging numbers could overwhelm hospitals.

Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer urged the prime minister to immediately impose national lockdown measures.

"It's no good the prime minister hinting that further restrictions are coming into place in a week or two or three," he told British media, adding the virus was "clearly out of control".

"So I say bring in those restrictions now, national restrictions within the next 24 hours."

Much of Britain is already under strict regional rules to prevent the spread, although primary schools are set to reopen in most of the country when the Christmas holiday ends on Monday.

However, around one million four to 11-year-olds will learn remotely after the government announced primary schools in London, where case rates are particularly high, would remain closed.

Johnson told parents elsewhere that they should "absolutely" send their young children to school when term begins.

"I understand people's frustrations, I understand people's anxieties but there is no doubt in my mind that schools are safe and that education is a priority.

"We've really fought very hard throughout this pandemic across the country to keep schools open," he added.

But Jerry Glazier, national executive member of the National Education Union, told AFP on Sunday that "schools are now playing a significant part in the spreading of the infection" and called for them all to be closed for at least two weeks.

"Schools are unsafe for the kids and unsafe for the education workers," he added. "Many teachers are very anxious about going back into the workplace."

Johnson said that public health experts had highlighted the long term health and social costs of children being kept out of school.&nbsp;

(With AFP inputs)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday warned the country of tougher coronavirus restrictions in coming days owing to surge in coronavirus cases. He was speaking with BBC.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday warned the country of tougher coronavirus restrictions in coming days owing to surge in coronavirus cases. He was speaking with BBC. Britain recorded 57,725 new coronavirus cases on Saturday. On top of that, a new virus strain is tearing through the country. "It may be that we need to do things in the next few weeks that will be tougher in many parts of the country," Johnson told the BBC's The Andrew Marr Show. "I'm fully, fully reconciled to that." UK's health officials are concerned about the possibility that surging numbers could overwhelm hospitals. Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer urged the prime minister to immediately impose national lockdown measures. "It's no good the prime minister hinting that further restrictions are coming into place in a week or two or three," he told British media, adding the virus was "clearly out of control". "So I say bring in those restrictions now, national restrictions within the next 24 hours." Much of Britain is already under strict regional rules to prevent the spread, although primary schools are set to reopen in most of the country when the Christmas holiday ends on Monday. However, around one million four to 11-year-olds will learn remotely after the government announced primary schools in London, where case rates are particularly high, would remain closed. Johnson told parents elsewhere that they should "absolutely" send their young children to school when term begins. "I understand people's frustrations, I understand people's anxieties but there is no doubt in my mind that schools are safe and that education is a priority. "We've really fought very hard throughout this pandemic across the country to keep schools open," he added. But Jerry Glazier, national executive member of the National Education Union, told AFP on Sunday that "schools are now playing a significant part in the spreading of the infection" and called for them all to be closed for at least two weeks. "Schools are unsafe for the kids and unsafe for the education workers," he added. "Many teachers are very anxious about going back into the workplace." Johnson said that public health experts had highlighted the long term health and social costs of children being kept out of school. (With AFP inputs)

UK PM warns country of tougher COVID restriction in coming days

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

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

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

Post Brexit, UK abolishes ‘tampon tax’

UK PM Boris Johnson made a statement on Wednesday that will surely not go well with supporters of Scottish independence from the UK. Johnson said on Sunday that another Scottish independence referendum should not take place for a generation. He was talking on BBC's Andrew Marr show.&nbsp;

"Referendums in my experience, direct experience, in this country are not particularly jolly events," he said.

"They don't have a notably unifying force in the national mood, they should be only once in a generation," he added.

Referendum for Scottish independence was held in 2014. Scotland had voted to remain in the UK.

However, in light of Brexit, demand for Scottish independence has risen again. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has repeatedly made public comments of displeasure against Brexit. Although she had called the 2014 referendum a once in a generation vote, she has recently said that Scotland would like to be part of the European Union.

Recent polls have shown consistent support for independence, boosted by rows between London and the devolved governments over the handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-johnson-could-lose-his-seat-and-majority-at-next-election-poll-says-354108">UK PM Johnson could lose his seat and majority at next election, poll says</a>

"For too long, successive UK governments have taken Scotland in the wrong direction, culminating in Brexit. It's no wonder so many people in Scotland have had enough," Sturgeon wrote on her party's website on Saturday.

"We didn't want to leave and we hope to join you again soon as an equal partner," she added, in a message to the EU.

Johnson has ruled out holding another vote, but Sturgeon will likely claim a mandate and heap pressure on the prime minister should her party perform well in upcoming local elections.

When asked why it was fair to hold a referendum on EU membership but not another on Scottish independence, Johnson told Marr: "The difference is we had a (European) referendum in 1975 and we then had another one in 2016.

"That seems to be about the right sort of gap."

(With AFP inputs)

UK PM Boris Johnson made a statement on Wednesday that will surely not go well with supporters of Scottish independence from the UK. Johnson said on Sunday that another Scottish independence referendum should not take place for a generation.

UK PM Boris Johnson made a statement on Wednesday that will surely not go well with supporters of Scottish independence from the UK. Johnson said on Sunday that another Scottish independence referendum should not take place for a generation. He was talking on BBC's Andrew Marr show. "Referendums in my experience, direct experience, in this country are not particularly jolly events," he said. "They don't have a notably unifying force in the national mood, they should be only once in a generation," he added. Referendum for Scottish independence was held in 2014. Scotland had voted to remain in the UK. However, in light of Brexit, demand for Scottish independence has risen again. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has repeatedly made public comments of displeasure against Brexit. Although she had called the 2014 referendum a once in a generation vote, she has recently said that Scotland would like to be part of the European Union. Recent polls have shown consistent support for independence, boosted by rows between London and the devolved governments over the handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Also Read | UK PM Johnson could lose his seat and majority at next election, poll says "For too long, successive UK governments have taken Scotland in the wrong direction, culminating in Brexit. It's no wonder so many people in Scotland have had enough," Sturgeon wrote on her party's website on Saturday. "We didn't want to leave and we hope to join you again soon as an equal partner," she added, in a message to the EU. Johnson has ruled out holding another vote, but Sturgeon will likely claim a mandate and heap pressure on the prime minister should her party perform well in upcoming local elections. When asked why it was fair to hold a referendum on EU membership but not another on Scottish independence, Johnson told Marr: "The difference is we had a (European) referendum in 1975 and we then had another one in 2016. "That seems to be about the right sort of gap." (With AFP inputs)

Boris Johnson says Scottish referendum should be 'once in a generation' thing

Many areas of England are now moving into the toughest Tier 4 restrictions from 0001 GMT on Thursday (December 31). Everton will not be allowed to welcome fans on Friday (January 1) when they host West Ham United, while their FA Cup third-round tie with Rotherham United on Jan. 9 will also be behind closed doors.

UK increases COVID-19 restrictions, raises doubts for Premier League

One dose of Oxford/AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine is around 70% effective after 21 days and before the second dose is given, a British doctor involved in the approval of the vaccine said on Wednesday (December 30).

UK medical adviser: One dose of AstraZeneca vaccine should be 70% effective after 21 days

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

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

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

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

Last week, the UK government said that a new variant of the virus was detected in that country. Prime Minister Boris Johnson also made an appeal for a subdued festive season in light of the new potent variant.

UK mutant variant coronavirus cases increase to 20

Britain wanted to 'civilise' the world. Today, Britons are behaving in the most uncivilised manner. They are flouting rules, fleeing quarantine & putting others at risk- in middle of the scare over the new UK strain. Palki Sharma has the details.

Gravitas: Does U.K. have the worst pandemic response?

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

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

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

Britain mourns a cherished education exchange program ended by Brexit

Britain opposed a bid by US president Bill Clinton to expand UN sanctions on Libya under dictator Moamer Kadhafi, while seeking to extradite the Lockerbie bombers, previously secret government papers showed on Wednesday.

Cabinet Office correspondence, released by the National Archives covering the years 1995 and 1996, showed the UK was concerned at the possible impact of expanded Security Council sanctions on Britain's $230 million annual exports to Libya, especially of oil-producing equipment.

The prime minister at the time, John Major, wrote to Clinton in late 1995 dissuading him from a new resolution, after the US leader had appealed for Britain's support.

On December 21, 1988, a bomb exploded on Pan Am Flight 103 from London to New York over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing 259 passengers and crew, and 11 people on the ground.

After a US and UK investigation, arrest warrants were issued for two Libyans in 1991.&nbsp;

At the time of the papers, the UK was urging for Libya to surrender the suspects for trial in the US or the UK, while Libya was calling for a "neutral" court to try the men.

The papers show that Britain thought Kadhafi would never hand over the bombing suspects.

A Foreign Office official, Richard Stagg, wrote to Major's private secretary Roderic Lyne in November 1995: "We should like to try the two accused and secure convictions. But the likelihood of Qadhafi handing them over is negligible."

Another wrote to Major's private secretary, Edward Oakden, in February 1996 that the Americans had "returned to the charge" over calls for a new Security Council resolution.

- Direct impact -

"The Foreign Secretary (Malcom Rifkind) has decided that we should not support the US in going for a new resolution," said Sam Sharpe, Rifkind's private secretary.

He cited "strong opposition" to expanding the UN sanctions regime in "both the Treasury and the Department for Trade and Industry".

"It would also impact directly on UK exports to Libya, likely to have been worth over £230 million in 1995, approximately £100 million of which was related to the oil sector," he said.

Britain also doubted that the Security Council members would back the measure and believed France took the same view.

Sharpe said Britain should ensure that "any blame for blocking the US objective for a new resolution sticks to the French rather than us alone".

"Ideally we would wish to ensure that the French take at least their fair share of the blame."

Clinton in August 1996 signed a US law that imposed sanctions on foreign companies that invested heavily in Libya and Iran.

Kadhafi handed over the two Lockerbie suspects in 1999 and Abdelbaset Mohmet Al-Megrahi was convicted in 2001 by a Scottish court sitting at a military base in the Netherlands.&nbsp;

Al-Megrahi, a former Libyan intelligence officer, consistently denied involvement until his death in 2012.&nbsp;

His family is awaiting the verdict of a posthumous appeal against his conviction at Scotland's highest court of criminal appeal.

Kadhafi was killed in 2011.

Britain opposed a bid by US president Bill Clinton to expand UN sanctions on Libya under dictator Moamer Kadhafi, while seeking to extradite the Lockerbie bombers, previously secret government papers showed on Wednesday.

Britain opposed a bid by US president Bill Clinton to expand UN sanctions on Libya under dictator Moamer Kadhafi, while seeking to extradite the Lockerbie bombers, previously secret government papers showed on Wednesday. Cabinet Office correspondence, released by the National Archives covering the years 1995 and 1996, showed the UK was concerned at the possible impact of expanded Security Council sanctions on Britain's $230 million annual exports to Libya, especially of oil-producing equipment. The prime minister at the time, John Major, wrote to Clinton in late 1995 dissuading him from a new resolution, after the US leader had appealed for Britain's support. On December 21, 1988, a bomb exploded on Pan Am Flight 103 from London to New York over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing 259 passengers and crew, and 11 people on the ground. After a US and UK investigation, arrest warrants were issued for two Libyans in 1991. At the time of the papers, the UK was urging for Libya to surrender the suspects for trial in the US or the UK, while Libya was calling for a "neutral" court to try the men. The papers show that Britain thought Kadhafi would never hand over the bombing suspects. A Foreign Office official, Richard Stagg, wrote to Major's private secretary Roderic Lyne in November 1995: "We should like to try the two accused and secure convictions. But the likelihood of Qadhafi handing them over is negligible." Another wrote to Major's private secretary, Edward Oakden, in February 1996 that the Americans had "returned to the charge" over calls for a new Security Council resolution. - Direct impact - "The Foreign Secretary (Malcom Rifkind) has decided that we should not support the US in going for a new resolution," said Sam Sharpe, Rifkind's private secretary. He cited "strong opposition" to expanding the UN sanctions regime in "both the Treasury and the Department for Trade and Industry". "It would also impact directly on UK exports to Libya, likely to have been worth over £230 million in 1995, approximately £100 million of which was related to the oil sector," he said. Britain also doubted that the Security Council members would back the measure and believed France took the same view. Sharpe said Britain should ensure that "any blame for blocking the US objective for a new resolution sticks to the French rather than us alone". "Ideally we would wish to ensure that the French take at least their fair share of the blame." Clinton in August 1996 signed a US law that imposed sanctions on foreign companies that invested heavily in Libya and Iran. Kadhafi handed over the two Lockerbie suspects in 1999 and Abdelbaset Mohmet Al-Megrahi was convicted in 2001 by a Scottish court sitting at a military base in the Netherlands. Al-Megrahi, a former Libyan intelligence officer, consistently denied involvement until his death in 2012. His family is awaiting the verdict of a posthumous appeal against his conviction at Scotland's highest court of criminal appeal. Kadhafi was killed in 2011.

UK opposed Clinton call for UN push against Kadhafi, records say

The United Kingdom govt said that it has accepted a recommendation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency "to authorise Oxford University/AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use".

Oxford-Astrazeneca Covid-19 vaccine approved for emergency use in United Kingdom

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

News Alert: Six UK returnees test positive for Mutant Strain

India reported its first six cases of the mutant coronavirus which was first spotted in the UK on Tuesday.

India reports 6 cases of new covid-19 strain as UK returnees test positive

Once the Drug Controller General India (DCGI) and scientists give the green signal to vaccine manufacturers in India, India will begin a mammoth exercise to inoculate the first group of 30 crore citizens.

India to conduct genome sequencing to detect new virus

Britain will ban "buy one get one free" promotions for food high in fat, sugar or salt and free refills of sugary soft drinks in restaurants from April 2022, the government said on Monday, its latest step in its plan to tackle obesity and improve public health.

Your Story: UK to restrict promotion of unhealthy food from April 2022

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