Indian, French and Australian foreign ministers held the first in-person trilateral meet in London on Tuesday on the sidelines of the G7 summit. Indian Foreign Affairs Minister Jaishankar tweeted about the meet.

India, Australia, France, FMs held first in-person trilateral meet in London

<article>
For an ordinary politician, heading into midterm elections on an unsavory plume of scandal over cellphone contacts with billionaires and a suspiciously funded apartment makeover might seem like the recipe for a thumping. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain is not an ordinary politician.

As voters in the country go to the polls Thursday for regional and local elections that have been swollen by races postponed from last year because of the pandemic, Johnson’s Conservative Party stands to make gains against a Labour Party that has struggled to make the ethical accusations against him stick.

Far from humbling a wayward prime minister, the elections could extend a realignment in British politics that began in 2019 when the Conservative Party won a landslide general election victory. That would put the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, on the back foot and ratify Johnson’s status as a kind of political unicorn.

“No politician in the democratic West can escape the consequences of political gravity forever, but Boris Johnson has shown a greater capacity to do it than most,” said Tony Travers, a professor of politics at the London School of Economics. “People see his behavior as evidence of his authenticity.”

Yet there is peril as well as promise for Johnson in the elections, which will decide thousands of seats, including that of London’s mayor, and which the British press has perhaps inevitably nicknamed “Super Thursday.”

In Scotland, the Scottish National Party could win a clear majority in Scotland’s Parliament that the nationalists would brandish as a powerful mandate to demand another referendum on independence from the United Kingdom after an earlier one was defeated in 2014.

In the English elections, the big prize is Hartlepool, a struggling northern port city and Labour bastion where a new poll suggests that the Conservatives could win a bellwether seat in a parliamentary by-election. The Tories could make further inroads in other Labour cities and towns in the industrial Midlands and North, where they picked off dozens of seats in 2019, running on Johnson’s promise to “Get Brexit Done.”

The prime minister did get Brexit done, as of January. Yet while the split with the European Union brought predicted chaos in shipments of British seafood and higher customs fees on European goods, its effects have been eclipsed by the pandemic — a twist that ended up working to the government’s benefit.

Although the pandemic began as a negative story for Johnson, with a dilatory response to the first wave of infections that left Britain with the highest death toll in Europe, it turned around with the nation’s rapid rollout of vaccines.

As new cases, hospitalisations and deaths have plunged, voters have rediscovered their affection for Johnson. His poll numbers rebounded from their lows last fall and show little damage from the charges and countercharges about his conduct, even though those have riveted London’s political circles.

More important, Johnson’s message of “leveling up” the economically blighted Midlands and North with the more prosperous south still seems to resonate with people, including many who traditionally voted for Labour. And the government’s free-spending response to the pandemic has pulled the Conservative Party even further from its roots as the party of fiscal austerity.

“The party of Margaret Thatcher is becoming the party of a big state and higher taxes, which can quite easily become the party of economic nationalism and ‘Buy British,’” said Travers, the London School of Economics professor.

For Starmer, the Labour leader, this shape shifting has been confounding. A disciplined former prosecutor who lacks Johnson’s raffish manner, he has found it difficult to attack the government on its pandemic response, particularly the vaccine rollout, which is the largest peacetime mobilisation in British history.

Instead, Starmer has grilled Johnson in Parliament weekly about who picked up the initial bill for the upgrade of his apartment and why he was texting the billionaire James Dyson about the tax status of his employees, when the two were discussing a plan for Dyson’s company to manufacture ventilators.

But there is little evidence that voters are particularly surprised or concerned that Johnson does not play by the rules. As political commentators have taken to saying this week, the prime minister’s behaviour is “priced in.”

The same is not true of Scottish independence. Analysts say Johnson’s government is not prepared for the wall of pressure it will face if the Scottish National Party wins a majority. The last time the party achieved that, in 2011, Britain’s then-prime minister, David Cameron, yielded to demands for a referendum. In 2014, Scots voted against leaving Britain by 55% to 44%.

Polls now put the split at roughly 50-50, after a stretch in which the pro-independence vote was solidly above 50%. Analysts attribute the slight softening of support to both the vaccine rollout, which showed the merits of staying in the union, as well as an ugly political dispute within Scottish nationalist ranks.

Johnson holds a trump card of sorts. To be legally binding, an independence referendum would almost certainly have to gain the assent of the British government, so the prime minister can simply say no and hope the problem goes away. But that strategy can work for only so long before becoming untenable.

“I don’t see any way in the world that Boris Johnson turns around the day after the election and says, ‘OK, you can have a referendum,’” said Nicola McEwen, a professor of politics at the University of Edinburgh.

And yet the calls could only grow. “If they manage to peel off a single-party majority,” she said, “it does put pressure on the UK&nbsp;to answer the question, ‘If a democratic vote isn’t a mandate for independence, then what is?’”
</article>

For an ordinary politician, heading into midterm elections on an unsavory plume of scandal over cellphone contacts with billionaires and a suspiciously funded apartment makeover might seem like the recipe for a thumping.

For an ordinary politician, heading into midterm elections on an unsavory plume of scandal over cellphone contacts with billionaires and a suspiciously funded apartment makeover might seem like the recipe for a thumping. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain is not an ordinary politician. As voters in the country go to the polls Thursday for regional and local elections that have been swollen by races postponed from last year because of the pandemic, Johnson’s Conservative Party stands to make gains against a Labour Party that has struggled to make the ethical accusations against him stick. Far from humbling a wayward prime minister, the elections could extend a realignment in British politics that began in 2019 when the Conservative Party won a landslide general election victory. That would put the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, on the back foot and ratify Johnson’s status as a kind of political unicorn. “No politician in the democratic West can escape the consequences of political gravity forever, but Boris Johnson has shown a greater capacity to do it than most,” said Tony Travers, a professor of politics at the London School of Economics. “People see his behavior as evidence of his authenticity.” Yet there is peril as well as promise for Johnson in the elections, which will decide thousands of seats, including that of London’s mayor, and which the British press has perhaps inevitably nicknamed “Super Thursday.” In Scotland, the Scottish National Party could win a clear majority in Scotland’s Parliament that the nationalists would brandish as a powerful mandate to demand another referendum on independence from the United Kingdom after an earlier one was defeated in 2014. In the English elections, the big prize is Hartlepool, a struggling northern port city and Labour bastion where a new poll suggests that the Conservatives could win a bellwether seat in a parliamentary by-election. The Tories could make further inroads in other Labour cities and towns in the industrial Midlands and North, where they picked off dozens of seats in 2019, running on Johnson’s promise to “Get Brexit Done.” The prime minister did get Brexit done, as of January. Yet while the split with the European Union brought predicted chaos in shipments of British seafood and higher customs fees on European goods, its effects have been eclipsed by the pandemic — a twist that ended up working to the government’s benefit. Although the pandemic began as a negative story for Johnson, with a dilatory response to the first wave of infections that left Britain with the highest death toll in Europe, it turned around with the nation’s rapid rollout of vaccines. As new cases, hospitalisations and deaths have plunged, voters have rediscovered their affection for Johnson. His poll numbers rebounded from their lows last fall and show little damage from the charges and countercharges about his conduct, even though those have riveted London’s political circles. More important, Johnson’s message of “leveling up” the economically blighted Midlands and North with the more prosperous south still seems to resonate with people, including many who traditionally voted for Labour. And the government’s free-spending response to the pandemic has pulled the Conservative Party even further from its roots as the party of fiscal austerity. “The party of Margaret Thatcher is becoming the party of a big state and higher taxes, which can quite easily become the party of economic nationalism and ‘Buy British,’” said Travers, the London School of Economics professor. For Starmer, the Labour leader, this shape shifting has been confounding. A disciplined former prosecutor who lacks Johnson’s raffish manner, he has found it difficult to attack the government on its pandemic response, particularly the vaccine rollout, which is the largest peacetime mobilisation in British history. Instead, Starmer has grilled Johnson in Parliament weekly about who picked up the initial bill for the upgrade of his apartment and why he was texting the billionaire James Dyson about the tax status of his employees, when the two were discussing a plan for Dyson’s company to manufacture ventilators. But there is little evidence that voters are particularly surprised or concerned that Johnson does not play by the rules. As political commentators have taken to saying this week, the prime minister’s behaviour is “priced in.” The same is not true of Scottish independence. Analysts say Johnson’s government is not prepared for the wall of pressure it will face if the Scottish National Party wins a majority. The last time the party achieved that, in 2011, Britain’s then-prime minister, David Cameron, yielded to demands for a referendum. In 2014, Scots voted against leaving Britain by 55% to 44%. Polls now put the split at roughly 50-50, after a stretch in which the pro-independence vote was solidly above 50%. Analysts attribute the slight softening of support to both the vaccine rollout, which showed the merits of staying in the union, as well as an ugly political dispute within Scottish nationalist ranks. Johnson holds a trump card of sorts. To be legally binding, an independence referendum would almost certainly have to gain the assent of the British government, so the prime minister can simply say no and hope the problem goes away. But that strategy can work for only so long before becoming untenable. “I don’t see any way in the world that Boris Johnson turns around the day after the election and says, ‘OK, you can have a referendum,’” said Nicola McEwen, a professor of politics at the University of Edinburgh. And yet the calls could only grow. “If they manage to peel off a single-party majority,” she said, “it does put pressure on the UK to answer the question, ‘If a democratic vote isn’t a mandate for independence, then what is?’”

UK vote is likely to back Johnson, and an independent Scotland

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual summit with his British counterpart Boris Johnson. Both leaders had substantive discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral ties and exchanged their views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

India-UK Virtual Summit: Modi, Johnson unveil roadmap for next decade

Indian Foreign Affairs Minister Jaishankar met UK Home Secretary Priti Patel on Tuesday and signed the migration and mobility partnership agreement to facilitate legal travel and encourage talent flows.

Indian FM Jaishankar meets UK Home Secy Priti Patel, signs migration & mobility agreement

The United Kingdom and India have finalised a deal that would allow citizens of the two countries to work and live in each other's country for a period of two years, a report said.&nbsp;

The Home Office said the scheme for people in the age group of 18- 30 would allow "the brightest and best" to come to Britain based on "skills and talent", BBC reported.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-investment-to-create-over-6500-jobs-in-uk-382780/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It added that the two countries would also encourage a "crackdown" on illegal migration.&nbsp;

The Young Professionals Scheme will allow a maximum of 3,000 people each from India and the UK every year to the other country.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/post-brexit-roadmap-key-takeaways-from-uk-india-trade-deal-382811">Post-Brexit roadmap: Key takeaways from UK-India trade deal</a>

Both countries can decide to increase or reduce the limit agreed upon.&nbsp;

"This landmark agreement with our close partners in the government of India will provide new opportunities to thousands of young people in the UK and India seeking to live, work and experience each other's cultures," Home Secretary Priti Patel said.&nbsp;

The agreement comes as British PM <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/boris-johnson">Boris Johnson </a>and his Indian counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/narendra-modi">Narendra Modi </a>held a virtual meeting on Tuesday in which both leaders agreed on a "2030 Roadmap" as a framework for strengthening relations across fields including health, climate, trade, education, and science and technology.&nbsp;

Britain and India will also start formal free trade deal talks later this year, the UK government confirmed on Tuesday.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The United Kingdom and India have finalised a deal that would allow citizens of the two countries to work and live in each other's country for a period of two years, a report said.

The United Kingdom and India have finalised a deal that would allow citizens of the two countries to work and live in each other's country for a period of two years, a report said. The Home Office said the scheme for people in the age group of 18- 30 would allow "the brightest and best" to come to Britain based on "skills and talent", BBC reported. Watch | It added that the two countries would also encourage a "crackdown" on illegal migration. The Young Professionals Scheme will allow a maximum of 3,000 people each from India and the UK every year to the other country. Also read | Post-Brexit roadmap: Key takeaways from UK-India trade deal Both countries can decide to increase or reduce the limit agreed upon. "This landmark agreement with our close partners in the government of India will provide new opportunities to thousands of young people in the UK and India seeking to live, work and experience each other's cultures," Home Secretary Priti Patel said. The agreement comes as British PM Boris Johnson and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi held a virtual meeting on Tuesday in which both leaders agreed on a "2030 Roadmap" as a framework for strengthening relations across fields including health, climate, trade, education, and science and technology. Britain and India will also start formal free trade deal talks later this year, the UK government confirmed on Tuesday.

India, UK agree deal to allow young people work and live in each other's countries

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

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

An Indian Air Force C17 Globemaster transport aircraft carrying 35 tonnes of aid including 450 oxygen cylinders, each with a capacity of 46.6 litres, landed in Chennai&nbsp;airport on Tuesday morning.

The cylinders were donated by the British Oxygen Company (BOC) and were consigned to the Indian Red Cross Society in Chennai.&nbsp;

After the cargo was unloaded, the first C-17 took off by around 7:45 am. Chennai Airport authorities said that they had facilitated the smooth movement of the IAF aircraft.&nbsp; 
 
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The IAF aircraft&nbsp;had gone from Jamnagar Airbase on Sunday to Brize Norton in the UK to lift critical life support equipment. The aircraft flew non-stop for 11.5 hours to reach the UK.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
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The massive four-engine, T-tailed aircraft landed at the city’s International airport at 5:15 am, following which Chennai Customs facilitated a speedy cargo clearance within half an hour. Another load of 450 cylinders is expected to arrive in the city via another IAF C-17 transport aircraft in the afternoon.&nbsp; 
 
“Showcasing the potential of Indo-British partnership to fight the pandemic. An IAF aircraft carrying 450 oxygen cylinders arrives in Chennai (India). Grateful to the UK for the support,” tweeted Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson of India’s External Affairs Ministry.&nbsp;

The 5,000 cylinder aid provided by the British Oxygen Company comes at a time when India is ramping up efforts in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic second wave that is raging across the country.

Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s capital city witnessed an all-time high of 6,150 covid cases on Monday, whereas Tamil Nadu saw 20,952 cases. Active cases in the state are at 123,000.

Global help and support have been pouring in over the last few weeks in the form of PPE kits, raw material for vaccine production and ventilators, among others.&nbsp;

An Indian Air Force C17 Globemaster transport aircraft carrying 35 tonnes of aid including 450 oxygen cylinders, each with a capacity of 46.6 litres, landed in Chennai airport on Tuesday morning.

An Indian Air Force C17 Globemaster transport aircraft carrying 35 tonnes of aid including 450 oxygen cylinders, each with a capacity of 46.6 litres, landed in Chennai airport on Tuesday morning. The cylinders were donated by the British Oxygen Company (BOC) and were consigned to the Indian Red Cross Society in Chennai. After the cargo was unloaded, the first C-17 took off by around 7:45 am. Chennai Airport authorities said that they had facilitated the smooth movement of the IAF aircraft. The IAF aircraft had gone from Jamnagar Airbase on Sunday to Brize Norton in the UK to lift critical life support equipment. The aircraft flew non-stop for 11.5 hours to reach the UK. The massive four-engine, T-tailed aircraft landed at the city’s International airport at 5:15 am, following which Chennai Customs facilitated a speedy cargo clearance within half an hour. Another load of 450 cylinders is expected to arrive in the city via another IAF C-17 transport aircraft in the afternoon. “Showcasing the potential of Indo-British partnership to fight the pandemic. An IAF aircraft carrying 450 oxygen cylinders arrives in Chennai (India). Grateful to the UK for the support,” tweeted Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson of India’s External Affairs Ministry. The 5,000 cylinder aid provided by the British Oxygen Company comes at a time when India is ramping up efforts in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic second wave that is raging across the country. Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s capital city witnessed an all-time high of 6,150 covid cases on Monday, whereas Tamil Nadu saw 20,952 cases. Active cases in the state are at 123,000. Global help and support have been pouring in over the last few weeks in the form of PPE kits, raw material for vaccine production and ventilators, among others.

Indian Air Force flies 450 oxygen cylinders from UK to Chennai, 450 more to arrive 

The United Kingdom is hosting the first in-person G7 foreign ministers meeting in two years from May 3 to 5 in London. The G7 foreign ministers’ meeting will focus on geopolitical priorities, such as Russia, China and Iran. It will also take up global challenges, including climate change, COVID-19 pandemic and famine.

Britain hosts first in-person G7 foreign ministers meeting in two years

UK is hosting the first in-person G7 foreign ministers meeting in two years in London. On the first day, Dominic Raab, the UK foreign secretary, spoke alongside US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. They discussed NATO's withdrawal from Afghanistan, Iran, China and the threat posed by Russia.

G7 Summit: Blinken and Raab discussed Russia, China

Thousands of doctors in the United Kingdom are planning to leave the country’s National Health Service owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey has revealed. The survey was undertaken by the British Medical Association and took into account 5,521 doctors working in the NHS.

The survey found that 31.9 per cent doctors said that their career goals had changed over the last year while adding that they were more likely to retire early. According to the study, a quarter doctors are planning to take a career break while a fifth are considering leaving the NHS to pursue a career in other fields.

The survey cited working conditions including long hours, increasing demand and unpleasant working conditions which have played a prominent role in the outlook shared by medical professionals in the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/strawberries-and-cream-wimbledon-thanks-londons-nhs-and-front-line-workers-for-their-efforts-310250" hreflang="en">'Strawberries and cream': Wimbledon thanks London's NHS and front-line workers for their efforts!</a>

At least 25 per cent people are planning to take a career break, while 21 per cent want to leave the NHS to pursue something else. 17 per cent showed interest in working in a different country and 15 per cent showed interested in becoming a locus.

Half of the respondents were cited by The Guardian as saying that they are likely to reduce their working hours as the pandemic eases in the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/new-zealand-fires-nine-border-workers-who-refused-coronavirus-vaccines-382562" hreflang="en">New Zealand fires nine border workers who refused coronavirus vaccines</a>

45 per cent doctors cited workload while personal wellbeing was cited by 43 per cent medical professionals working in the NHS. In addition 29 per cent took pay into consideration while 22 per cent attributed their decision to the working conditions. Out of the respondents, 22 per cent blamed the culture in their workplace.

Critics fear that the doctors leaving the NHS in bulk would make it really difficult to manage the backlog of cases that currently plague the National Health Service in the United Kingdom. The Guardian estimates that 4.7 million patients are on the waiting list for treatment, the highest number ever.

Thousands of doctors in the United Kingdom are planning to leave the country’s National Health Service owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey has revealed.

Thousands of doctors in the United Kingdom are planning to leave the country’s National Health Service owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey has revealed. The survey was undertaken by the British Medical Association and took into account 5,521 doctors working in the NHS. The survey found that 31.9 per cent doctors said that their career goals had changed over the last year while adding that they were more likely to retire early. According to the study, a quarter doctors are planning to take a career break while a fifth are considering leaving the NHS to pursue a career in other fields. The survey cited working conditions including long hours, increasing demand and unpleasant working conditions which have played a prominent role in the outlook shared by medical professionals in the country. Also read: 'Strawberries and cream': Wimbledon thanks London's NHS and front-line workers for their efforts! At least 25 per cent people are planning to take a career break, while 21 per cent want to leave the NHS to pursue something else. 17 per cent showed interest in working in a different country and 15 per cent showed interested in becoming a locus. Half of the respondents were cited by The Guardian as saying that they are likely to reduce their working hours as the pandemic eases in the country. Also read: New Zealand fires nine border workers who refused coronavirus vaccines 45 per cent doctors cited workload while personal wellbeing was cited by 43 per cent medical professionals working in the NHS. In addition 29 per cent took pay into consideration while 22 per cent attributed their decision to the working conditions. Out of the respondents, 22 per cent blamed the culture in their workplace. Critics fear that the doctors leaving the NHS in bulk would make it really difficult to manage the backlog of cases that currently plague the National Health Service in the United Kingdom. The Guardian estimates that 4.7 million patients are on the waiting list for treatment, the highest number ever.

Thousands of doctors planning to leave UK's National Health Service after Covid pandemic, survey reveals

UK hosting first in-person G7 foreign ministers meeting in two years

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a virtual summit with his British counterpart Boris Johnson on May 4 during which they will unveil a 10-year roadmap to further broad base bilateral ties.

Indian PM Modi to hold virtual summit with British counterpart Johnson on May 4

The UK is eager to capitalise on Biden’s willingness to re-engage with global efforts to fight climate change and to restore a nuclear deal with Iran rejected by Trump.

UK hosts first G7 foreign ministers meeting since pandemic began

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

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

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

Britain hosts first G7 foreign ministers meeting since start of pandemic

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

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

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

Daily lateral flow tests could be used as a way to prevent home-isolation in the UK for those who have been in contact with someone tested positive for coronavirus, British media reported. 
 
Currently, these people are required to quarantine at home for 10 days but the measure could be scrapped if a trial in England, which gives daily lateral flow tests to as many as 40,000 people, is successful, Xinhua news agency quoted a Sky News report as saying on Sunday. 
 
"This new pilot could help shift the dial in our favour by offering a viable alternative to self-isolation for people who are contacts of positive Covid&nbsp;cases, and one that would allow people to carry on going to work and living their lives," said Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="UK locals urge government to let them 'hug' as Covid lockdown eases">UK locals urge government to let them 'hug' as Covid lockdown eases</a> 
 
The trial will begin on May 9 and close contacts of people with coronavirus will be contacted by phone and sent seven days of the tests if they decide to participate in the study. 
 
They will have to test themselves every morning for seven days and will be exempt from the home isolation rule every day they test negative, as long as they do not show any symptoms of coronavirus. 
 
Lateral flow tests give results in about 30 minutes but are considered less sensitive than PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, whose results usually return in 24 hours or so, according to the BBC. 
 
More than 34.3 million people have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures. 
 
Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, the UK is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants, particularly those first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India, and the third wave of pandemic on the European continent.

Daily lateral flow tests could be used as a way to prevent home-isolation in the UK for those who have been in contact with someone tested positive for coronavirus, British media reported.

Daily lateral flow tests could be used as a way to prevent home-isolation in the UK for those who have been in contact with someone tested positive for coronavirus, British media reported. Currently, these people are required to quarantine at home for 10 days but the measure could be scrapped if a trial in England, which gives daily lateral flow tests to as many as 40,000 people, is successful, Xinhua news agency quoted a Sky News report as saying on Sunday. "This new pilot could help shift the dial in our favour by offering a viable alternative to self-isolation for people who are contacts of positive Covid cases, and one that would allow people to carry on going to work and living their lives," said Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Also read: UK locals urge government to let them 'hug' as Covid lockdown eases The trial will begin on May 9 and close contacts of people with coronavirus will be contacted by phone and sent seven days of the tests if they decide to participate in the study. They will have to test themselves every morning for seven days and will be exempt from the home isolation rule every day they test negative, as long as they do not show any symptoms of coronavirus. Lateral flow tests give results in about 30 minutes but are considered less sensitive than PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, whose results usually return in 24 hours or so, according to the BBC. More than 34.3 million people have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures. Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, the UK is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants, particularly those first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India, and the third wave of pandemic on the European continent.

UK mulls scrapping quarantine for Covid contacts

Britain defended cuts to its aid spending saying that the monetary allocation was having negative impact on its budget. The stand has been taken even after several UN agencies warned that cutting aid would translate into thousands of deaths among the world's poor.

"I've found the process of making those savings very difficult," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told Sky News.

"We've had to make this extremely difficult decision to reduce and find savings in the aid budget, that's because of the impact Covid has had, the biggest contraction we've seen in the economy for 300 years," he said.

Despite the cut of £4 billion ($5.5 billion, 4.6 billion euros) to £10 billion in its aid budget, Britain remains a leading contributor among the G7 nations, Raab added as he prepares to chair a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in London this week.

At least three UN agencies this week warned of negative impact of Britain's aid cut after the country informed them of the steep reductions.

The children's fund UNICEF and UNAIDS added their own concern after UNFPA, the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency, said the plan would lead to some 250,000 more deaths around the world.

Raab said the government was adopting "a more strategic approach, and also to get maximum value out of every penny of taxpayers' money that goes abroad".

The G7 meeting is expected to agree on fair access to Covid-19 vaccines around the world, and is a "great opportunity ... to use our convening power and make a real team effort to tackle these problems together", he said.

Emergency pandemic support measures have sent Britain's annual borrowing rocketing to the highest level since World War II.

But Lisa Nandy, foreign affairs spokeswoman for the main opposition Labour party, said scaling back aid in the middle of the pandemic was "extraordinarily short-sighted".

(With inputs from agencies)

Britain defended cuts to its aid spending saying that the monetary allocation was having negative impact on its budget. The stand has been taken even after several UN agencies warned that cutting aid would translate into thousands of deaths among the world's poor.

Britain defended cuts to its aid spending saying that the monetary allocation was having negative impact on its budget. The stand has been taken even after several UN agencies warned that cutting aid would translate into thousands of deaths among the world's poor. "I've found the process of making those savings very difficult," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told Sky News. "We've had to make this extremely difficult decision to reduce and find savings in the aid budget, that's because of the impact Covid has had, the biggest contraction we've seen in the economy for 300 years," he said. Despite the cut of £4 billion ($5.5 billion, 4.6 billion euros) to £10 billion in its aid budget, Britain remains a leading contributor among the G7 nations, Raab added as he prepares to chair a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in London this week. At least three UN agencies this week warned of negative impact of Britain's aid cut after the country informed them of the steep reductions. The children's fund UNICEF and UNAIDS added their own concern after UNFPA, the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency, said the plan would lead to some 250,000 more deaths around the world. Raab said the government was adopting "a more strategic approach, and also to get maximum value out of every penny of taxpayers' money that goes abroad". The G7 meeting is expected to agree on fair access to Covid-19 vaccines around the world, and is a "great opportunity ... to use our convening power and make a real team effort to tackle these problems together", he said. Emergency pandemic support measures have sent Britain's annual borrowing rocketing to the highest level since World War II. But Lisa Nandy, foreign affairs spokeswoman for the main opposition Labour party, said scaling back aid in the middle of the pandemic was "extraordinarily short-sighted". (With inputs from agencies)

UK defends cut in aid after UN warns of deadly impact

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

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

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

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

Several thousand music fans on Friday became the first people in Britain in more than a year to legally dance, drink and listen to music in a nightclub, as part of a test to see whether social distancing measures can be eased without triggering new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> outbreaks.

The afternoon admission gig at a warehouse in Liverpool, northwest England, is one of a series of pilot events sponsored by the UK government and closely monitored by public health officials. The 3,000 attendees, all local residents, were to be tested before and after the event, while researchers will study air quality and movement in the venue.&nbsp;

Once inside, clubbers could dance to DJs including Lewis Boardman and Jayda G. With no restrictions on mixing with others.

"Today is going to be monumental,"&nbsp;said DJ Yousef, co-founder of Liverpool's Circus nightclub, which organized the event.

"Once you go over the threshold, the whole point of today is to go back to pre-COVID conditions, which of course is no social distancing, no masks. You can interact with people you don't know,"&nbsp;he told the BBC. He said the reaction of ticket-buyers to that news had been 'disbelief'&nbsp;as well as excitement.

"We are very excited," Leah Lawless, 18, said as she waited with her friends to get into the warehouse. She said the past year had been "Hard,&nbsp;It's been boring, a bit sad, depressing and not the best.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-to-reopen-bars-nightclubs-from-april-29-for-vaccinated-customers-380804">Hong Kong to reopen bars, nightclubs from April 29 for vaccinated customers</a>

A second clubbing event will be held in the same venue on Saturday, and 5,000 fans will attend a concert headlined by the band Blossoms at Liverpool's Sefton Park on Sunday. The test events will culminate at Wembley Stadium on May 15, where a one-quarter capacity crowd of 21,000 will watch the FA Cup soccer final.

Britain has recorded more than 127,000 coronavirus deaths, Europe's highest toll. But a fast-moving vaccination campaign has given almost two-thirds of adults at least one shot, and the government is gradually lifting the restrictions on social and economic life that were in place over much of the last 14 months.&nbsp;

Most shops and services are open, but indoor drinking, dining and entertainment will not resume before May 17 at the earliest. Some social distancing rules will be in place until at least June 21.&nbsp;

Experiences elsewhere in Europe are encouraging. Organizers of a Barcelona concert last month attended by 4,500 mask-wearing fans who had been screened for the virus say the event produced no significant outbreaks.

Several thousand music fans on Friday became the first people in Britain in more than a year to legally dance, drink and listen to music in a nightclub, as part of a test to see whether social distancing measures can be eased without triggering new coronavirus outbreaks.

Several thousand music fans on Friday became the first people in Britain in more than a year to legally dance, drink and listen to music in a nightclub, as part of a test to see whether social distancing measures can be eased without triggering new coronavirus outbreaks. The afternoon admission gig at a warehouse in Liverpool, northwest England, is one of a series of pilot events sponsored by the UK government and closely monitored by public health officials. The 3,000 attendees, all local residents, were to be tested before and after the event, while researchers will study air quality and movement in the venue. Once inside, clubbers could dance to DJs including Lewis Boardman and Jayda G. With no restrictions on mixing with others. "Today is going to be monumental," said DJ Yousef, co-founder of Liverpool's Circus nightclub, which organized the event. "Once you go over the threshold, the whole point of today is to go back to pre-COVID conditions, which of course is no social distancing, no masks. You can interact with people you don't know," he told the BBC. He said the reaction of ticket-buyers to that news had been 'disbelief' as well as excitement. "We are very excited," Leah Lawless, 18, said as she waited with her friends to get into the warehouse. She said the past year had been "Hard, It's been boring, a bit sad, depressing and not the best. Also read | Hong Kong to reopen bars, nightclubs from April 29 for vaccinated customers A second clubbing event will be held in the same venue on Saturday, and 5,000 fans will attend a concert headlined by the band Blossoms at Liverpool's Sefton Park on Sunday. The test events will culminate at Wembley Stadium on May 15, where a one-quarter capacity crowd of 21,000 will watch the FA Cup soccer final. Britain has recorded more than 127,000 coronavirus deaths, Europe's highest toll. But a fast-moving vaccination campaign has given almost two-thirds of adults at least one shot, and the government is gradually lifting the restrictions on social and economic life that were in place over much of the last 14 months. Most shops and services are open, but indoor drinking, dining and entertainment will not resume before May 17 at the earliest. Some social distancing rules will be in place until at least June 21. Experiences elsewhere in Europe are encouraging. Organizers of a Barcelona concert last month attended by 4,500 mask-wearing fans who had been screened for the virus say the event produced no significant outbreaks.

UK allows dancing without distancing at nightclub test event

National Health Service (NHS) England has included those aged 40 above in the demographic eligible to receive coronavirus vaccine. Text messages will soon be sent to people in this age group to allow them to make arrangements to get themselves vaccinated.

Only those aged 42 and above were eligible for vaccination before this.

Earlier this week, Britain announced that it had ordered 60 million more doses of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine. The vaccines have been ordered for a booster programme to be carried out in coming months.

"We have been working on a programme of booster shots... for over a year now, and we've backed some of the only clinical trials in the world looking specifically at booster shots," UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said earlier this week.

Britain has been the European country worst-hit by the virus, recording more than 127,000 deaths, although it rolled out a successful mass-vaccination campaign in early December, using AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.&nbsp;

National Health Service (NHS) England has included those aged 40 above in the demographic eligible to receive coronavirus vaccine. Text messages will soon be sent to people in this age group to allow them to make arrangements to get themselves vaccinated.

National Health Service (NHS) England has included those aged 40 above in the demographic eligible to receive coronavirus vaccine. Text messages will soon be sent to people in this age group to allow them to make arrangements to get themselves vaccinated. Only those aged 42 and above were eligible for vaccination before this. Earlier this week, Britain announced that it had ordered 60 million more doses of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine. The vaccines have been ordered for a booster programme to be carried out in coming months. "We have been working on a programme of booster shots... for over a year now, and we've backed some of the only clinical trials in the world looking specifically at booster shots," UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said earlier this week. Britain has been the European country worst-hit by the virus, recording more than 127,000 deaths, although it rolled out a successful mass-vaccination campaign in early December, using AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.

England expands vaccination drive to include ages 40 and above

In a move that risks reigniting a spat with London over scarce vaccine supplies, European Union lawyers on Wednesday demanded AstraZeneca immediately deliver COVID-19 vaccines from its factories in Britain.

EU demands access to AstraZeneca in UK in legal battle

Britain's HMS&nbsp;Queen&nbsp;Elizabeth&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;carrier&nbsp;will lead a flotilla of Royal Navy ships through Asian waters on port&nbsp;visits to&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;and South Korea on its&nbsp;maiden&nbsp;deployment, the British embassy in Tokyo said on Monday.

The high-profile&nbsp;visits, aimed at bolstering security ties in East Asia, come amid tensions in the region as concern grows in&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;over any threat posed to neighbouring Taiwan by China.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and US&nbsp;President Joe Biden issued a joint statement this month addressing China's growing assertiveness and the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait following their first face-to-face meeting in Washington since both became leaders of their countries.

Including the&nbsp;Queen&nbsp;Elizabeth&nbsp;with 18 F-35B stealth fighters, two destroyers, two frigates and two support ships, the British&nbsp;carrier&nbsp;strike group will have to sail through the contested South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by China and South East Asian countries, on its way to East Asia. The ships will also stop in India and Singapore.

It will be joined by vessels from the United States and a frigate from the Netherlands and will carry out exercises with forces from&nbsp;Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, the UAE, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Israel, India, Oman and South Korea, the British government said in a news release.

Other foreign ships currently in Asian waters include a French amphibious&nbsp;carrier&nbsp;and two US&nbsp;navy&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;carriers, one of which, the USS Ronald Reagan, is based in&nbsp;Japan. A close Washington ally,&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;hosts the biggest concentration of US&nbsp;military forces outside the United States, including warships, planes and thousands of marines.

The latest, and so far most conspicuous,&nbsp;visit&nbsp;to&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;by British forces follows earlier&nbsp;deployment&nbsp;of warships, jet fighters and troops for joint training exercises as London and Tokyo look to strengthen defence ties.

Britain's HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier will lead a flotilla of Royal Navy ships through Asian waters on port visits to Japan and South Korea on its maiden deployment, the British embassy in Tokyo said on Monday.

Britain's HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier will lead a flotilla of Royal Navy ships through Asian waters on port visits to Japan and South Korea on its maiden deployment, the British embassy in Tokyo said on Monday. The high-profile visits, aimed at bolstering security ties in East Asia, come amid tensions in the region as concern grows in Japan over any threat posed to neighbouring Taiwan by China. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and US President Joe Biden issued a joint statement this month addressing China's growing assertiveness and the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait following their first face-to-face meeting in Washington since both became leaders of their countries. Including the Queen Elizabeth with 18 F-35B stealth fighters, two destroyers, two frigates and two support ships, the British carrier strike group will have to sail through the contested South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by China and South East Asian countries, on its way to East Asia. The ships will also stop in India and Singapore. It will be joined by vessels from the United States and a frigate from the Netherlands and will carry out exercises with forces from Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, the UAE, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Israel, India, Oman and South Korea, the British government said in a news release. Other foreign ships currently in Asian waters include a French amphibious carrier and two US navy aircraft carriers, one of which, the USS Ronald Reagan, is based in Japan. A close Washington ally, Japan hosts the biggest concentration of US military forces outside the United States, including warships, planes and thousands of marines. The latest, and so far most conspicuous, visit to Japan by British forces follows earlier deployment of warships, jet fighters and troops for joint training exercises as London and Tokyo look to strengthen defence ties.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier to visit Japan, South Korea on maiden deployment

The UK government on Wednesday became the first country to announce it will regulate the use of self-driving vehicles at slow speeds on motorways, with the first such cars possibly appearing on public roads as soon as this year. 
 
Britain`s transport ministry said it was working on specific wording to update the country`s highway code for the safe use of self-driving vehicle systems, starting with Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS) - which use sensors and software to keep cars within a lane, allowing them to accelerate and brake without driver input. 
 
The government said the use of ALKS would be restricted to motorways, at speeds under 37 miles (60 km) per hour. 
 
The UK government wants to be at the forefront of rolling out autonomous driving technology and the transport ministry forecasts by 2035 around 40% of new UK cars could have self-driving capabilities, creating up to 38,000 new skilled jobs. 
 
"The automotive industry welcomes this vital step to permit the use of automated vehicles on UK roads, which will put Britain in the vanguard of road safety and automotive technology," Mike Hawes, CEO of car industry lobby group the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said in a statement. 
 
But insurance companies warn that Britain`s goal of being a leader in adopting self-driving cars could backfire unless automakers and regulators spell out the current limitations of the technology available today. 
 
They say calling ALKS `automated,` or using the synonymous term `self-driving`, will confuse British drivers into thinking the cars can drive themselves, causing accidents and risking a public backlash against the technology. 
 
"Aside from the lack of technical capabilities, by calling ALKS automated our concern also is that the UK Government is contributing to the confusion and frequent misuse of assisted driving systems that have unfortunately already led to many tragic deaths," said Matthew Avery, research director at Thatcham Research, which has tested ALKS systems. 
 
The dangers of drivers apparently misunderstanding the limits of technology has been an issue in the United States, where regulators are reviewing about 20 crashes involving Tesla`s driver assistance tools, such as its `Autopilot` system.

The UK government on Wednesday became the first country to announce it will regulate the use of self-driving vehicles at slow speeds on motorways, with the first such cars possibly appearing on public roads as soon as this year.

The UK government on Wednesday became the first country to announce it will regulate the use of self-driving vehicles at slow speeds on motorways, with the first such cars possibly appearing on public roads as soon as this year. Britain`s transport ministry said it was working on specific wording to update the country`s highway code for the safe use of self-driving vehicle systems, starting with Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS) - which use sensors and software to keep cars within a lane, allowing them to accelerate and brake without driver input. The government said the use of ALKS would be restricted to motorways, at speeds under 37 miles (60 km) per hour. The UK government wants to be at the forefront of rolling out autonomous driving technology and the transport ministry forecasts by 2035 around 40% of new UK cars could have self-driving capabilities, creating up to 38,000 new skilled jobs. "The automotive industry welcomes this vital step to permit the use of automated vehicles on UK roads, which will put Britain in the vanguard of road safety and automotive technology," Mike Hawes, CEO of car industry lobby group the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said in a statement. But insurance companies warn that Britain`s goal of being a leader in adopting self-driving cars could backfire unless automakers and regulators spell out the current limitations of the technology available today. They say calling ALKS `automated,` or using the synonymous term `self-driving`, will confuse British drivers into thinking the cars can drive themselves, causing accidents and risking a public backlash against the technology. "Aside from the lack of technical capabilities, by calling ALKS automated our concern also is that the UK Government is contributing to the confusion and frequent misuse of assisted driving systems that have unfortunately already led to many tragic deaths," said Matthew Avery, research director at Thatcham Research, which has tested ALKS systems. The dangers of drivers apparently misunderstanding the limits of technology has been an issue in the United States, where regulators are reviewing about 20 crashes involving Tesla`s driver assistance tools, such as its `Autopilot` system.

UK government greenlights 'self-driving' cars on motorways

Britain will buy 60 million more doses of Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, health minister Matt Hancock said, in a deal that more than doubles the country's supply of the shot ahead of a booster programme later this year.&nbsp;

Britain has now ordered a total of 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, one of three COVID-19 shots being rolled out in the country.&nbsp;

Hancock said the shots had been secured to support a COVID-19 booster vaccination programme starting in the autumn, adding that the biggest risk to Britain's rollout so far was a new variant of the coronavirus.&nbsp;

"We`re working on our plans for booster shots," Hancock said.&nbsp;

"These further 60 million doses will be used, alongside others, as part of our booster programme from later this year, so we can protect the progress that we've all made."&nbsp;

Earlier on Wednesday, Public Health England said the details of any booster programme were still being worked out, and it would be designed primarily with new variants in mind.&nbsp;

Britain's health ministry said data from trials using different combinations of COVID-19 vaccines would help determine the design of the programme.&nbsp;

England's Deputy Chief Medic Jonathan Van-Tam said that by mid to late-summer, millions of people would have had two shots of either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines, and the question then would be whether to give a different vaccine as a booster.&nbsp;

A study starting in June should provide answers, he said.&nbsp;

"We'll get an idea then of which gives you the highest boost, which perhaps gives you the broadest boost against a range of coronavirus variants, and indeed what the timings look like," he told a press conference.&nbsp;

"That is another reason why the vaccines taskforce has invested in contracts with not just one or two manufacturers, but six or seven so that we have that optionality." &nbsp;

Britain has administered 47.5 million vaccine doses so far, nearly 34 million of which are first shots. &nbsp;

While the country is second only to Israel in terms of the proportion of the population who have received a first dose, which stands at around 50%, it has suffered 127,000 deaths from COVID-19, the fifth-highest total globally.&nbsp;

Britain, which has a population of 67 million, has deals for 517 million doses of eight different COVID-19 vaccines, some of which remain under development. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Britain will buy 60 million more doses of Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, health minister Matt Hancock said, in a deal that more than doubles the country's supply of the shot ahead of a booster programme later this year.

Britain will buy 60 million more doses of Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, health minister Matt Hancock said, in a deal that more than doubles the country's supply of the shot ahead of a booster programme later this year. Britain has now ordered a total of 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, one of three COVID-19 shots being rolled out in the country. Hancock said the shots had been secured to support a COVID-19 booster vaccination programme starting in the autumn, adding that the biggest risk to Britain's rollout so far was a new variant of the coronavirus. "We`re working on our plans for booster shots," Hancock said. "These further 60 million doses will be used, alongside others, as part of our booster programme from later this year, so we can protect the progress that we've all made." Earlier on Wednesday, Public Health England said the details of any booster programme were still being worked out, and it would be designed primarily with new variants in mind. Britain's health ministry said data from trials using different combinations of COVID-19 vaccines would help determine the design of the programme. England's Deputy Chief Medic Jonathan Van-Tam said that by mid to late-summer, millions of people would have had two shots of either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines, and the question then would be whether to give a different vaccine as a booster. A study starting in June should provide answers, he said. "We'll get an idea then of which gives you the highest boost, which perhaps gives you the broadest boost against a range of coronavirus variants, and indeed what the timings look like," he told a press conference. "That is another reason why the vaccines taskforce has invested in contracts with not just one or two manufacturers, but six or seven so that we have that optionality." Britain has administered 47.5 million vaccine doses so far, nearly 34 million of which are first shots. While the country is second only to Israel in terms of the proportion of the population who have received a first dose, which stands at around 50%, it has suffered 127,000 deaths from COVID-19, the fifth-highest total globally. Britain, which has a population of 67 million, has deals for 517 million doses of eight different COVID-19 vaccines, some of which remain under development. (With inputs from agencies)

Britain orders 60,000,000 Pfizer COVID-19 shots for booster programme 

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