It's going to be a tough call for Japan to make a second cancellation or risking a super spreader but that's what this pandemic is all about. While making tough calls, some leaders have thrived under the pressure, while others panicked. &nbsp;

The most crucial toss-up was between lockdowns and jobs. There is science to back both. Lockdowns act as circuit breakers as they flatten the curve and give governments breathing space. Last year, most countries used lockdowns to build their health systems. It has come in handy now during the second wave. On the flip side, lockdowns kill jobs. That's a fact as happened with daily wagers, gig workers and others.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-boris-johnson-let-the-bodies-pile-high-380948/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

They don't have job security. The moment businesses shut down, they are unemployed. So, that's the choice for most leaders. Life versus livelihood and it's not as simple as it sounds. Many people will tell you that livelihood comes second but chances are these people have secure jobs. Striking this delicate balance is tough but it's important to make this decision with compassion. Something British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apparently failed to do. &nbsp;

This story is from October 2020. Britain was dealing with a new wave of infections. So, Johnson chaired a meeting to discuss a second lockdown. He grudgingly agreed to it but this is what he supposedly said after the meeting. "No more lockdowns. Let the bodies pile high in their thousands." The prime minister used some colourful language in his remarks. Boris Johnson would have rather presided over a bloodbath than impose a third lockdown, and, for the record, he did end up ordering a third lockdown. That's what saved Britain from complete collapse. &nbsp;

Leaders have resigned over far less in Britain, but Boris Johnson is not going down without a fight. He has denied making these remarks. The prime minister says he would rather focus on making the lockdowns work. For a man of many words, Johnson had very little to say about these reports.&nbsp;

Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister, said, “No, but again, I think the important thing people want us to get on and do, as a government, is to make sure that the lockdowns work and they have, and I really pay tribute to the people of this country, this whole country, that have really pulled together and working with the vaccination programme, we've got the disease under control.”&nbsp;

Johnson has also deployed his ministers to defend him. Senior Minister Michael Gove says he was in the room for all pandemic meetings. He says he never heard language of this sort from the prime minister. &nbsp;

&nbsp;Gove&nbsp;said, “The prime minister made a decision in that meeting to trigger a second lockdown; he made a subsequent decision to trigger a third lockdown. This is a prime minister, who was in hospital himself, in intensive care. The idea that he would say any such thing I find incredible. I was in that room, I never heard language of that kind.”&nbsp;

Only a public inquiry can get to the bottom of this, but one thing is certain. This wouldn't be Boris Johnson's first outrageous remark. When the coronavirus first came to Britain, he couldn't care less. Johnson made it a point to shake hands with everyone and then last month, he dropped another gem and said greed and capitalism helped Britain vaccinate effectively. He later called it a joke.

So, these new remarks are not beyond the British Prime Minister but it's his word against the British media's.

Letting bodies pile up is not a strategy, it is a death sentence. And unlike what many people think, this is not a toss-up between mass deaths and mass unemployment. There can be a middle ground. &nbsp;

In fact, the United Kingdom is a great example of this. They are running a massive furlough scheme through the pandemic. Millions of gig workers are out of work, but they are still getting paid. So, despite three lockdowns, there is no mass joblessness. &nbsp;

Just six days back, Britain reported a dip in its unemployment rate. So, you can have the best of both worlds but in some countries, things haven't panned out so well. Look at Brazil. President Jair Bolsonaro thinks lockdowns are deadlier than the virus and his countrymen are paying for it.&nbsp;

Same in the United States. Donald Trump resisted lockdowns throughout 2020. As a result, more than 500,000 Americans are dead. The bottom line is, lockdowns work but the tradeoff depends on how you manage it. Our lockdowns have also evolved since last year. We now have local lockdowns, mini lockdowns, and night curfews. So, the bitter pill is not as bitter anymore. &nbsp;

This doesn't make the choice any easier for leaders, but that's the job. No government has been perfect during this pandemic, their letups have cost lives, but it's important to be honest and compassionate about it. &nbsp;&nbsp;

It's going to be a tough call for Japan to make a second cancellation or risking a super spreader but that's what this pandemic is all about. While making tough calls, some leaders have thrived under the pressure, while others panicked.

It's going to be a tough call for Japan to make a second cancellation or risking a super spreader but that's what this pandemic is all about. While making tough calls, some leaders have thrived under the pressure, while others panicked. The most crucial toss-up was between lockdowns and jobs. There is science to back both. Lockdowns act as circuit breakers as they flatten the curve and give governments breathing space. Last year, most countries used lockdowns to build their health systems. It has come in handy now during the second wave. On the flip side, lockdowns kill jobs. That's a fact as happened with daily wagers, gig workers and others. They don't have job security. The moment businesses shut down, they are unemployed. So, that's the choice for most leaders. Life versus livelihood and it's not as simple as it sounds. Many people will tell you that livelihood comes second but chances are these people have secure jobs. Striking this delicate balance is tough but it's important to make this decision with compassion. Something British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apparently failed to do. This story is from October 2020. Britain was dealing with a new wave of infections. So, Johnson chaired a meeting to discuss a second lockdown. He grudgingly agreed to it but this is what he supposedly said after the meeting. "No more lockdowns. Let the bodies pile high in their thousands." The prime minister used some colourful language in his remarks. Boris Johnson would have rather presided over a bloodbath than impose a third lockdown, and, for the record, he did end up ordering a third lockdown. That's what saved Britain from complete collapse. Leaders have resigned over far less in Britain, but Boris Johnson is not going down without a fight. He has denied making these remarks. The prime minister says he would rather focus on making the lockdowns work. For a man of many words, Johnson had very little to say about these reports. Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister, said, “No, but again, I think the important thing people want us to get on and do, as a government, is to make sure that the lockdowns work and they have, and I really pay tribute to the people of this country, this whole country, that have really pulled together and working with the vaccination programme, we've got the disease under control.” Johnson has also deployed his ministers to defend him. Senior Minister Michael Gove says he was in the room for all pandemic meetings. He says he never heard language of this sort from the prime minister. Gove said, “The prime minister made a decision in that meeting to trigger a second lockdown; he made a subsequent decision to trigger a third lockdown. This is a prime minister, who was in hospital himself, in intensive care. The idea that he would say any such thing I find incredible. I was in that room, I never heard language of that kind.” Only a public inquiry can get to the bottom of this, but one thing is certain. This wouldn't be Boris Johnson's first outrageous remark. When the coronavirus first came to Britain, he couldn't care less. Johnson made it a point to shake hands with everyone and then last month, he dropped another gem and said greed and capitalism helped Britain vaccinate effectively. He later called it a joke. So, these new remarks are not beyond the British Prime Minister but it's his word against the British media's. Letting bodies pile up is not a strategy, it is a death sentence. And unlike what many people think, this is not a toss-up between mass deaths and mass unemployment. There can be a middle ground. In fact, the United Kingdom is a great example of this. They are running a massive furlough scheme through the pandemic. Millions of gig workers are out of work, but they are still getting paid. So, despite three lockdowns, there is no mass joblessness. Just six days back, Britain reported a dip in its unemployment rate. So, you can have the best of both worlds but in some countries, things haven't panned out so well. Look at Brazil. President Jair Bolsonaro thinks lockdowns are deadlier than the virus and his countrymen are paying for it. Same in the United States. Donald Trump resisted lockdowns throughout 2020. As a result, more than 500,000 Americans are dead. The bottom line is, lockdowns work but the tradeoff depends on how you manage it. Our lockdowns have also evolved since last year. We now have local lockdowns, mini lockdowns, and night curfews. So, the bitter pill is not as bitter anymore. This doesn't make the choice any easier for leaders, but that's the job. No government has been perfect during this pandemic, their letups have cost lives, but it's important to be honest and compassionate about it.

COVID-19: UK PM’s ‘let the bodies pile high’ comment creates uproar

A leading charity has criticised the government's plan to reduce funding for overseas water and sanitation projects during the coronavirus pandemic after a leaked memo reveals details of cuts in the foreign aid budget.&nbsp;

If a leaked memo is to be believed, the funding for water, sanitation and hygiene bilateral projects will be cut by more than 80%.&nbsp;

According to a BBC report, WaterAid's Tim Wainwright has criticised the timing of ‘savage cuts'.&nbsp;

The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office said COVID-19 had 'forced us to take tough' decisions.&nbsp;

The government had also announced last year it would cut UK aid spending from 0.7% of national income to just 0.5%, which amounts to a reduction of more than £4bn - but it is yet to confirm which programmes will be affected.&nbsp;

The 'temporary measure' was also being defended at this time as supported by voters, with some MPs saying domestic spending should come first during the pandemic.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the UK is currently moving through its domestic priority lists for COVID-19 vaccines and therefore, has no surplus doses to share with countries in need such as India at this stage, Downing Street said recently. &nbsp;

In reference to India's devastating second wave of the pandemic, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesperson said the process is kept under constant review, while the country sends an assistance package made up of 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators to India to meet the supply shortages over the course of the week. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The first tranche of 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators arrived in New Delhi early on Tuesday. &nbsp;

"We committed in February to sending excess doses from the UK's supply to the COVAX procurement pool and to countries in need, once they are available," the UK PM's spokesperson said. &nbsp;

"Right now, we are moving through the UK prioritisation list for our domestic rollout and don't have surplus doses, but we keep this under constant review. We recognise that no one is safe until we're all safe in this pandemic which is why the UK has contributed GBP 548 million to COVAX and sent vital medical supplies to India," the spokesperson said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A leading charity has criticised the government's plan to reduce funding for overseas water and sanitation projects during the coronavirus pandemic after a leaked memo reveals details of cuts in the foreign aid budget.

A leading charity has criticised the government's plan to reduce funding for overseas water and sanitation projects during the coronavirus pandemic after a leaked memo reveals details of cuts in the foreign aid budget. If a leaked memo is to be believed, the funding for water, sanitation and hygiene bilateral projects will be cut by more than 80%. According to a BBC report, WaterAid's Tim Wainwright has criticised the timing of ‘savage cuts'. The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office said COVID-19 had 'forced us to take tough' decisions. The government had also announced last year it would cut UK aid spending from 0.7% of national income to just 0.5%, which amounts to a reduction of more than £4bn - but it is yet to confirm which programmes will be affected. The 'temporary measure' was also being defended at this time as supported by voters, with some MPs saying domestic spending should come first during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the UK is currently moving through its domestic priority lists for COVID-19 vaccines and therefore, has no surplus doses to share with countries in need such as India at this stage, Downing Street said recently. In reference to India's devastating second wave of the pandemic, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesperson said the process is kept under constant review, while the country sends an assistance package made up of 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators to India to meet the supply shortages over the course of the week. The first tranche of 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators arrived in New Delhi early on Tuesday. "We committed in February to sending excess doses from the UK's supply to the COVAX procurement pool and to countries in need, once they are available," the UK PM's spokesperson said. "Right now, we are moving through the UK prioritisation list for our domestic rollout and don't have surplus doses, but we keep this under constant review. We recognise that no one is safe until we're all safe in this pandemic which is why the UK has contributed GBP 548 million to COVAX and sent vital medical supplies to India," the spokesperson said. (With inputs from agencies)

UK’s aid cuts for clean water projects overseas criticised 

The UK is currently moving through its domestic priority lists for COVID-19 vaccines and therefore, has no surplus doses to share with countries in need such as India at this stage, Downing Street said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

In reference to India's devastating second wave of the pandemic, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesperson said the process is kept under constant review, while the country sends an assistance package made up of 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators to India to meet the supply shortages over the course of the week. &nbsp;

The first tranche of 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators arrived in New Delhi early on Tuesday.&nbsp;

"We committed in February to sending excess doses from the UK's supply to the COVAX procurement pool and to countries in need, once they are available," the UK PM's spokesperson said.&nbsp;

"Right now, we are moving through the UK prioritisation list for our domestic rollout and don't have surplus doses, but we keep this under constant review. We recognise that no one is safe until we're all safe in this pandemic which is why the UK has contributed GBP 548 million to COVAX and sent vital medical supplies to India," the spokesperson said.&nbsp;

The COVAX facility refers to the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access global initiative aimed at equitable access to vaccines led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the World Health Organisation (WHO).&nbsp;

The latest update from Downing Street comes as it emerged that the US is to export around 60 million doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, with India expected to be among the biggest recipients of the consignment after talks between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

With 3,23,144 people testing positive for the coronavirus in a day, India's infection tally climbed to 1,76,36,307 on Tuesday. The death toll mounted to 1,97,894 with 2,771 new fatalities.&nbsp;

Several efforts are on within the Indian diaspora in the UK to fundraise for essential supplies, such as oxygen concentrators and coordinate distribution of across India's struggling hospitals through a series of emergency appeals, including by charities such as the British Asian Trust and British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO). &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

The UK is currently moving through its domestic priority lists for COVID-19 vaccines and therefore, has no surplus doses to share with countries in need such as India at this stage, Downing Street said on Tuesday.

The UK is currently moving through its domestic priority lists for COVID-19 vaccines and therefore, has no surplus doses to share with countries in need such as India at this stage, Downing Street said on Tuesday. In reference to India's devastating second wave of the pandemic, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesperson said the process is kept under constant review, while the country sends an assistance package made up of 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators to India to meet the supply shortages over the course of the week. The first tranche of 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators arrived in New Delhi early on Tuesday. "We committed in February to sending excess doses from the UK's supply to the COVAX procurement pool and to countries in need, once they are available," the UK PM's spokesperson said. "Right now, we are moving through the UK prioritisation list for our domestic rollout and don't have surplus doses, but we keep this under constant review. We recognise that no one is safe until we're all safe in this pandemic which is why the UK has contributed GBP 548 million to COVAX and sent vital medical supplies to India," the spokesperson said. The COVAX facility refers to the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access global initiative aimed at equitable access to vaccines led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The latest update from Downing Street comes as it emerged that the US is to export around 60 million doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, with India expected to be among the biggest recipients of the consignment after talks between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With 3,23,144 people testing positive for the coronavirus in a day, India's infection tally climbed to 1,76,36,307 on Tuesday. The death toll mounted to 1,97,894 with 2,771 new fatalities. Several efforts are on within the Indian diaspora in the UK to fundraise for essential supplies, such as oxygen concentrators and coordinate distribution of across India's struggling hospitals through a series of emergency appeals, including by charities such as the British Asian Trust and British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO). (With inputs from agencies)

No surplus vaccine doses to send to India right now, says UK 

The EU is at an advanced stage of talks with the US over mutually recognising vaccine passports to boost transatlantic tourism this summer.

EU in vaccine passport talks with US but not UK

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "International cooperation at work! Appreciate the shipment of vital medical supplies from Flag of United Kingdom including 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators that arrived early this morning."

First batch of vital medical supplies from UK arrives in India

UK Navy's largest ship HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier leading the Carrier Strike Group will sail to India and the wider Indo-Pacific region next month. While on India visit, it will conduct joint exercises with Indian forces in the Indian Ocean which a release from the British High Commission in Delhi said will be about " expanding interoperability and enhancing capabilities to defend against shared threats and protect our democratic values."

The Strike Group comprises Type 45 destroyers HMS Defender and HMS Diamond, Type 23 anti-submarine frigates HMS Kent and HMS Richmond, and tanker and storage ships Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring.

"The UK and India are natural defense partners, particularly in world-class research, development and training. The Carrier Strike Group’s collaboration with India will build the foundations for this relationship to flourish even further," said UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.

On a 28-week deployment, the Carrier Strike Group will travel over 26,000 nautical miles from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, from the Gulf of Aden to the Arabian Sea, and from the Indian Ocean to the Philippine Sea.&nbsp;

The development comes as part of London's "Indo-Pacific tilt". The carrier will sail to Japan, South Korea, Singapore among the 40 countries it will visit and undertake 70 engagements.

The development comes even as both sides have been increasing high-level engagement. Last year, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had visited India, and later this year Indian PM Modi is expected to travel to the UK to take part in the G7 summit in Cornwall. Both countries have bi-annual exercises--Exercise Ajeya Warrior, for the army, Exercise Konkan for the navy, and Exercise Indra Dhanush for the Air Force. UK has the 5th largest defense budget, highest in Europe and second highest in NATO. The country is also the 2nd largest defense exporter in the world.

UK Navy's largest ship HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier leading the Carrier Strike Group will sail to India and the wider Indo-Pacific region next month. While on India visit, it will conduct joint exercises with Indian forces in the Indian Ocean which a release from the British High Commission in Delhi said will be about " expanding interoperability and enhancing capabilities to defend against shared threats and protect our democratic values.

UK Navy's largest ship HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier leading the Carrier Strike Group will sail to India and the wider Indo-Pacific region next month. While on India visit, it will conduct joint exercises with Indian forces in the Indian Ocean which a release from the British High Commission in Delhi said will be about " expanding interoperability and enhancing capabilities to defend against shared threats and protect our democratic values." The Strike Group comprises Type 45 destroyers HMS Defender and HMS Diamond, Type 23 anti-submarine frigates HMS Kent and HMS Richmond, and tanker and storage ships Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring. "The UK and India are natural defense partners, particularly in world-class research, development and training. The Carrier Strike Group’s collaboration with India will build the foundations for this relationship to flourish even further," said UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace. On a 28-week deployment, the Carrier Strike Group will travel over 26,000 nautical miles from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, from the Gulf of Aden to the Arabian Sea, and from the Indian Ocean to the Philippine Sea. The development comes as part of London's "Indo-Pacific tilt". The carrier will sail to Japan, South Korea, Singapore among the 40 countries it will visit and undertake 70 engagements. The development comes even as both sides have been increasing high-level engagement. Last year, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had visited India, and later this year Indian PM Modi is expected to travel to the UK to take part in the G7 summit in Cornwall. Both countries have bi-annual exercises--Exercise Ajeya Warrior, for the army, Exercise Konkan for the navy, and Exercise Indra Dhanush for the Air Force. UK has the 5th largest defense budget, highest in Europe and second highest in NATO. The country is also the 2nd largest defense exporter in the world.

UK's largest naval ship to sail to India next month

As India battles a severe second wave of coronavirus pandemic, the UK on Sunday announced sending life-saving medical equipment including ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices to the country.&nbsp;

The UK High Commission here said more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment will be sent to India to support the country in its fight against COVID-19.&nbsp;

It said ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices are due to leave the UK on Sunday and the first shipment is expected to arrive in Delhi early on Tuesday with further consignments reaching later this week.&nbsp;

"We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against COVID-19," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.&nbsp;

"Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus," he is quoted as saying by the high commission.&nbsp;

It said the assistance package, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, includes ventilators and oxygen concentrators from surplus stocks.&nbsp;

"It will be used by the government of India to provide vital medical treatment to those suffering from COVID-19 in India," it said.&nbsp;

The high commission said the support follows a request from India and Prime Minister Johnson's pledge for the UK to do all it can to help the country.&nbsp;

"In total, nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators, will be sent to the country this week," the high commission said.&nbsp;

It said the equipment will be crucial in helping to save the lives of the most vulnerable in India.&nbsp;

"The oxygen concentrators, for example, can extract oxygen from the air in the atmosphere so that it can be provided to patients, taking the strain off hospital oxygen systems and allowing oxygen to be provided in situations where hospital oxygen supplies have run out," it said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

As India battles a severe second wave of coronavirus pandemic, the UK on Sunday announced sending life-saving medical equipment including ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices to the country.

As India battles a severe second wave of coronavirus pandemic, the UK on Sunday announced sending life-saving medical equipment including ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices to the country. The UK High Commission here said more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment will be sent to India to support the country in its fight against COVID-19. It said ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices are due to leave the UK on Sunday and the first shipment is expected to arrive in Delhi early on Tuesday with further consignments reaching later this week. "We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against COVID-19," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. "Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus," he is quoted as saying by the high commission. It said the assistance package, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, includes ventilators and oxygen concentrators from surplus stocks. "It will be used by the government of India to provide vital medical treatment to those suffering from COVID-19 in India," it said. The high commission said the support follows a request from India and Prime Minister Johnson's pledge for the UK to do all it can to help the country. "In total, nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators, will be sent to the country this week," the high commission said. It said the equipment will be crucial in helping to save the lives of the most vulnerable in India. "The oxygen concentrators, for example, can extract oxygen from the air in the atmosphere so that it can be provided to patients, taking the strain off hospital oxygen systems and allowing oxygen to be provided in situations where hospital oxygen supplies have run out," it said. (With inputs from agencies)

UK sending medical devices like ventilators, oxygen concentrators to India 

Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron is in the news for introducing his schoolfriend to a senior politician who is known as the 'fixer' of Conservative Party in the UK. As reported by The Guardian, Cameron's friend Hugh Warrender was representing a South Korean company that wanted to sell coronavirus testing kits to UK government.

Warrender reportedly contacted Cameron in April last year as a representative of the company. Cameron then connected Warrender with Lord Andrew Feldman, the 'fixer' in the Conservative Party. Feldman was working at Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

It has been reported that Warrender refused to disclose name of the company.

Lord Feldman has denied that any meetings with Warrender took place.

Spokesperson for David Cameron has denied that Cameron had any ties with the company and said that Cameron has received no remuneration.

Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron is in the news for introducing his schoolfriend to a senior politician who is known as the 'fixer' of Conservative Party in the UK.

Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron is in the news for introducing his schoolfriend to a senior politician who is known as the 'fixer' of Conservative Party in the UK. As reported by The Guardian, Cameron's friend Hugh Warrender was representing a South Korean company that wanted to sell coronavirus testing kits to UK government. Warrender reportedly contacted Cameron in April last year as a representative of the company. Cameron then connected Warrender with Lord Andrew Feldman, the 'fixer' in the Conservative Party. Feldman was working at Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). It has been reported that Warrender refused to disclose name of the company. Lord Feldman has denied that any meetings with Warrender took place. Spokesperson for David Cameron has denied that Cameron had any ties with the company and said that Cameron has received no remuneration.

Cameron introduced friend to senior politician, denies receiving monetary benefits

UK has sent life-saving medical equipment to India including ventilators and oxygen concentrators as the country reels from record numbers of daily COVID-19 infections and deaths. This is the first shipment of urgent delivery from the country.

UK sends vital medical equipment to India to help fight COVID-19 surge

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced a call to resign on Monday after claims he dismissed the prospect of thousands dying from Covid, as a row over government "sleaze" escalated.

In a front-page headline, the Daily Mail newspaper reported Johnson had said he would rather see "bodies pile high in their thousands" than impose a third coronavirus lockdown.

Ultimately, Johnson did order a new round of restrictions in January.

But he is now locked in a damaging war of words with his former top aide Dominic Cummings over his coronavirus policies last year and financial dealings.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the Daily Mail report, based on unnamed sources, was "not true" and had been "categorically denied by practically everyone".

"None of this is serious. The prime minister has been utterly focused on delivering, alongside Cabinet colleagues, the response to Covid," he told Sky News.

The main opposition Labour party wants an urgent inquiry into Cummings' claims made in an explosive blog post.&nbsp;

"We cannot go on like this day after day with the drip, drip, drip of allegations," said Labour leader Keir Starmer.&nbsp;

"We need to get to the bottom of it because I think for a lot of people, this is beginning to feel very strongly like one rule for them and another rule for everybody else."

But the Scottish National Party (SNP)'s leader in the UK parliament, Ian Blackford, went further, demanding Johnson step down if his comments are confirmed.

"These comments are utterly abhorrent. If they are true, @BorisJohnson has a duty to resign," he tweeted.

"The Prime Minister must now come to Parliament to give a statement, and face questioning on these shocking claims and the growing Tory sleaze scandal engulfing Westminster."&nbsp;

Johnson has faced sharp criticism over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. In Britain, one of the countries worst hit in the world by the disease, more than 127,000 people have died from Covid.

But increasingly the prime minister is facing questions over his wider judgement and integrity, following weeks of stories about alleged inappropriate lobbying and special favours.

Cummings, the strategist behind the 2016 campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, quit Downing Street in December under a cloud of acrimony.

The former senior adviser wrote on his personal blog on Friday that Johnson had sought to use potentially illegal donations to renovate his publicly funded Downing Street accommodation.

Cummings also wrote that Johnson had raised the prospect of blocking an internal inquiry into leaks because they could implicate a close friend of his fiancee Carrie Symonds.

Simon Case, Britain's most senior civil servant, is to be questioned by lawmakers later on Monday over the allegations against Johnson, his ministers and officials, which Downing Street have dismissed as false.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced a call to resign on Monday after claims he dismissed the prospect of thousands dying from Covid, as a row over government "sleaze" escalated.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced a call to resign on Monday after claims he dismissed the prospect of thousands dying from Covid, as a row over government "sleaze" escalated. In a front-page headline, the Daily Mail newspaper reported Johnson had said he would rather see "bodies pile high in their thousands" than impose a third coronavirus lockdown. Ultimately, Johnson did order a new round of restrictions in January. But he is now locked in a damaging war of words with his former top aide Dominic Cummings over his coronavirus policies last year and financial dealings. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the Daily Mail report, based on unnamed sources, was "not true" and had been "categorically denied by practically everyone". "None of this is serious. The prime minister has been utterly focused on delivering, alongside Cabinet colleagues, the response to Covid," he told Sky News. The main opposition Labour party wants an urgent inquiry into Cummings' claims made in an explosive blog post. "We cannot go on like this day after day with the drip, drip, drip of allegations," said Labour leader Keir Starmer. "We need to get to the bottom of it because I think for a lot of people, this is beginning to feel very strongly like one rule for them and another rule for everybody else." But the Scottish National Party (SNP)'s leader in the UK parliament, Ian Blackford, went further, demanding Johnson step down if his comments are confirmed. "These comments are utterly abhorrent. If they are true, @BorisJohnson has a duty to resign," he tweeted. "The Prime Minister must now come to Parliament to give a statement, and face questioning on these shocking claims and the growing Tory sleaze scandal engulfing Westminster." Johnson has faced sharp criticism over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. In Britain, one of the countries worst hit in the world by the disease, more than 127,000 people have died from Covid. But increasingly the prime minister is facing questions over his wider judgement and integrity, following weeks of stories about alleged inappropriate lobbying and special favours. Cummings, the strategist behind the 2016 campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, quit Downing Street in December under a cloud of acrimony. The former senior adviser wrote on his personal blog on Friday that Johnson had sought to use potentially illegal donations to renovate his publicly funded Downing Street accommodation. Cummings also wrote that Johnson had raised the prospect of blocking an internal inquiry into leaks because they could implicate a close friend of his fiancee Carrie Symonds. Simon Case, Britain's most senior civil servant, is to be questioned by lawmakers later on Monday over the allegations against Johnson, his ministers and officials, which Downing Street have dismissed as false.

UK PM under pressure over 'let bodies pile high' comment

UK, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Russia extends help as India battles second wave of Covid

The Indian High Commission on Saturday issued an open appeal through social media for help to meet the rising demand for oxygen and medical supplies in India's devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

It listed the required items as refillable oxygen cylinders, concentrators and the drug Remdesivir, used to treat severe COVID-19 cases. India has recorded nearly a million infections in three days, with 346,786 new cases on Saturday.&nbsp;

"@HCILondon thanks all who have come forward to help in COVID19 situation. India needs: (i) Empty, refillable Oxygen cylinders with 10 litres and 45 litres LMO (liquid medical oxygen) capacity (ii) Oxygen concentrators (iii) in situ Oxygen manufacturing plants for hospitals &amp; (iv) Remdesivir," reads the appeal on Twitter.&nbsp;

It comes as several diaspora organisations have also been coordinating efforts to provide assistance and support, amid news of oxygen supply shortages at hospitals in New Delhi and other regions.&nbsp;

"The Indian diaspora has huge confidence in Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and stand ready to help the government of India in any form they need," said Kuldeep Shekhawat, President of the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) diaspora group, which held a virtual meeting to consider a donation drive for the Prime Minister's Relief Fund if required.&nbsp;

On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK is looking at ways to help and support India through the crisis.&nbsp;

"We're looking at what we can do to help and support the people of India, possibly with ventilators," he told reporters when asked about the pandemic crisis in India on the local election campaign trail.&nbsp;

"Thanks to the ventilator challenge, the huge efforts of British manufacturers, we're better able now to deliver ventilators to other countries. But also possibly with therapeutics, dexamethasone, other things, we'll look at what we can do to help," he said.&nbsp;

The Indian High Commission on Saturday issued an open appeal through social media for help to meet the rising demand for oxygen and medical supplies in India's devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Indian High Commission on Saturday issued an open appeal through social media for help to meet the rising demand for oxygen and medical supplies in India's devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It listed the required items as refillable oxygen cylinders, concentrators and the drug Remdesivir, used to treat severe COVID-19 cases. India has recorded nearly a million infections in three days, with 346,786 new cases on Saturday. "@HCILondon thanks all who have come forward to help in COVID19 situation. India needs: (i) Empty, refillable Oxygen cylinders with 10 litres and 45 litres LMO (liquid medical oxygen) capacity (ii) Oxygen concentrators (iii) in situ Oxygen manufacturing plants for hospitals & (iv) Remdesivir," reads the appeal on Twitter. It comes as several diaspora organisations have also been coordinating efforts to provide assistance and support, amid news of oxygen supply shortages at hospitals in New Delhi and other regions. "The Indian diaspora has huge confidence in Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and stand ready to help the government of India in any form they need," said Kuldeep Shekhawat, President of the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) diaspora group, which held a virtual meeting to consider a donation drive for the Prime Minister's Relief Fund if required. On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK is looking at ways to help and support India through the crisis. "We're looking at what we can do to help and support the people of India, possibly with ventilators," he told reporters when asked about the pandemic crisis in India on the local election campaign trail. "Thanks to the ventilator challenge, the huge efforts of British manufacturers, we're better able now to deliver ventilators to other countries. But also possibly with therapeutics, dexamethasone, other things, we'll look at what we can do to help," he said.

Indian High Commission in UK appeals for oxygen, medical supplies  

EU, US, Denmark have extended support to India with UK sending more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment to deal with the surging covid cases. The 600 pieces include ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices sent from the UK today and will be arriving in India early on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

“We stand side by side with India" UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, "as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19", adding, “Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus."&nbsp;

In all, UK will send nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, that can extract Oxygen from the air, 120 non-invasive ventilators, and 20 manual ventilators this week.&nbsp;

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said, “We are supporting our Indian friends with vital medical equipment at a difficult time for them in this pandemic". &nbsp;

India has reported over three lakh Covid cases in the last few days, with cities like Delhi and Mumbai badly impacted. Several hospitals in the national capital have been sending SOS as oxygen supplies deplete putting the lives of patients in danger. &nbsp;

Earlier in the day, the European Union announced that it is activating its 'civil protection mechanism' to provide assistance to India like Oxygen and medicine. "Upon request for assistance by India", Janez Lenarčič European Commissioner for Crisis Management said," We have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (ERCC). The EU will do its utmost to mobilise assistance to support people of India". &nbsp;

President of the European commission Ursula von der Leyen seconded that tweeting, "The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India’s request for assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. We stand in full solidarity with the Indian people."&nbsp;

Other countries in Europe like Denmark, France, Germany are also extending support. Denmark's envoy to Delhi Freddy Svane tells WION, "We are working closely with MEA to assist India with whatever is required. That’s what friends are about”.&nbsp;

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday announced that her country is preparing urgent support for India to deal with the ongoing Covid pandemic. She said, "To the people of India, I want to express my sympathy on the terrible suffering that COVID-19 has again brought over your communities. Germany stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing a mission of support."&nbsp;

Armed Forces Medical Services or AFMS will be importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany. These plants will be deployed in AFMS hospitals catering to Covid patients. From Germany, containers are also being imported. &nbsp;

After much criticism over not allowing the import of raw material for manufacturing of covid vaccines in India, top officials of the US Govt also extended support to India. US secretary of state Antony Blinken in a tweet-statement said, "Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific COVID-19 outbreak. We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government, and we will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India and India's healthcare heroes." &nbsp;

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, in a near-simultaneous tweet, said, "The US is deeply concerned by the severe COVID outbreak in India. We are working around the clock to deploy more supplies and support to our friends and partners in India as they bravely battle this pandemic. More very soon."&nbsp;

US is expected to announce its support to India soon, though a big focus remains on when it lifts a ban on the export of covid vaccine raw material. India is the largest producer of vaccines globally, but manufacturing is being hampered due to the lack of raw material. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, India's neighbours, Afghanistan and Iran, have also extended support to New Delhi. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, foreign minister Atmar and envoy to India Farid Mamundzay all tweeted and showed solidarity for India. Afghan President said, "Our hearts go out to the Indian people and government as they fight the horrendous outbreak of Covid. On behalf of the Afghan people and government, we send our condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wish a quick recovery to those who are suffering from the virus."&nbsp;

Iran's health minister Dr Saeed Namaki in a letter to India's health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan extended support, saying, "The government and people of Iran are ready to spare no technical assistance, expertise and equipment in these difficult days and at the height of the plight of the dear citizens of India with the COVID-19 epidemic."&nbsp;

A whole host of countries have extended solidarity with India. These are China, Pakistan, Bhutan, Solvenia, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Singapore. So far, India has been able to get four tankers from Singapore and liquid Oxygen from Saudi Arabia. More medicines from Singapore will arrive tonight.&nbsp;

EU, US, Denmark have extended support to India with UK sending more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment to deal with the surging covid cases. The 600 pieces include ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices sent from the UK today and will be arriving in India early on Tuesday morning.

EU, US, Denmark have extended support to India with UK sending more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment to deal with the surging covid cases. The 600 pieces include ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices sent from the UK today and will be arriving in India early on Tuesday morning. “We stand side by side with India" UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, "as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19", adding, “Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus." In all, UK will send nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, that can extract Oxygen from the air, 120 non-invasive ventilators, and 20 manual ventilators this week. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said, “We are supporting our Indian friends with vital medical equipment at a difficult time for them in this pandemic". India has reported over three lakh Covid cases in the last few days, with cities like Delhi and Mumbai badly impacted. Several hospitals in the national capital have been sending SOS as oxygen supplies deplete putting the lives of patients in danger. Earlier in the day, the European Union announced that it is activating its 'civil protection mechanism' to provide assistance to India like Oxygen and medicine. "Upon request for assistance by India", Janez Lenarčič European Commissioner for Crisis Management said," We have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (ERCC). The EU will do its utmost to mobilise assistance to support people of India". President of the European commission Ursula von der Leyen seconded that tweeting, "The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India’s request for assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. We stand in full solidarity with the Indian people." Other countries in Europe like Denmark, France, Germany are also extending support. Denmark's envoy to Delhi Freddy Svane tells WION, "We are working closely with MEA to assist India with whatever is required. That’s what friends are about”. Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday announced that her country is preparing urgent support for India to deal with the ongoing Covid pandemic. She said, "To the people of India, I want to express my sympathy on the terrible suffering that COVID-19 has again brought over your communities. Germany stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing a mission of support." Armed Forces Medical Services or AFMS will be importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany. These plants will be deployed in AFMS hospitals catering to Covid patients. From Germany, containers are also being imported. After much criticism over not allowing the import of raw material for manufacturing of covid vaccines in India, top officials of the US Govt also extended support to India. US secretary of state Antony Blinken in a tweet-statement said, "Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific COVID-19 outbreak. We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government, and we will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India and India's healthcare heroes." US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, in a near-simultaneous tweet, said, "The US is deeply concerned by the severe COVID outbreak in India. We are working around the clock to deploy more supplies and support to our friends and partners in India as they bravely battle this pandemic. More very soon." US is expected to announce its support to India soon, though a big focus remains on when it lifts a ban on the export of covid vaccine raw material. India is the largest producer of vaccines globally, but manufacturing is being hampered due to the lack of raw material. Meanwhile, India's neighbours, Afghanistan and Iran, have also extended support to New Delhi. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, foreign minister Atmar and envoy to India Farid Mamundzay all tweeted and showed solidarity for India. Afghan President said, "Our hearts go out to the Indian people and government as they fight the horrendous outbreak of Covid. On behalf of the Afghan people and government, we send our condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wish a quick recovery to those who are suffering from the virus." Iran's health minister Dr Saeed Namaki in a letter to India's health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan extended support, saying, "The government and people of Iran are ready to spare no technical assistance, expertise and equipment in these difficult days and at the height of the plight of the dear citizens of India with the COVID-19 epidemic." A whole host of countries have extended solidarity with India. These are China, Pakistan, Bhutan, Solvenia, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Singapore. So far, India has been able to get four tankers from Singapore and liquid Oxygen from Saudi Arabia. More medicines from Singapore will arrive tonight.

Covid Crisis: EU, UK, US, Denmark pitch in to assist India 

Large-scale protests against England's remaining coronavirus resulted in injuries to eight officers and the arrest of five people, said police in London on Saturday. The demonstrators had gathered in early afternoon and marched along several major arterial roads including main shopping district Oxford Street.

Hundreds then rallied in Hyde Park later following the march, an AFP reporter said, where "small pockets of disorder" broke out, according to London's Metropolitan Police Service.

"Eight officers were injured as they worked to disperse crowds in Hyde Park this evening," it said, adding that missiles including bottles were thrown.&nbsp;

"Two officers were taken to hospital. Thankfully, they are not believed to be seriously injured.

"Five people were arrested for offences including assault on police and are now in custody." 
Britain began to gradually lift Covid-19 restrictions in March after months of restrictions and a successful mass vaccination campaign.&nbsp;

This month, pubs were allowed to serve customers outdoors and non-essentials shop were allowed to open. But a few curbs remained.

Organisers of the protest used online platforms and websites to appeal people to protest the pandemic measures.

Anti-lockdown protests by hundreds or even thousands have occurred sporadically during the pandemic, often resulting in a small number of arrests.&nbsp;

England's latest Covid-19 lockdown measures have been in place since early January, after the UK saw a surge in cases.

Months of restrictions alongside the successful vaccine rollout -- with more than 45 million doses administered -- has seen the situation improve.

Large-scale protests against England's remaining coronavirus resulted in injuries to eight officers and the arrest of five people, said police in London on Saturday.

Large-scale protests against England's remaining coronavirus resulted in injuries to eight officers and the arrest of five people, said police in London on Saturday. The demonstrators had gathered in early afternoon and marched along several major arterial roads including main shopping district Oxford Street. Hundreds then rallied in Hyde Park later following the march, an AFP reporter said, where "small pockets of disorder" broke out, according to London's Metropolitan Police Service. "Eight officers were injured as they worked to disperse crowds in Hyde Park this evening," it said, adding that missiles including bottles were thrown. "Two officers were taken to hospital. Thankfully, they are not believed to be seriously injured. "Five people were arrested for offences including assault on police and are now in custody." Britain began to gradually lift Covid-19 restrictions in March after months of restrictions and a successful mass vaccination campaign. This month, pubs were allowed to serve customers outdoors and non-essentials shop were allowed to open. But a few curbs remained. Organisers of the protest used online platforms and websites to appeal people to protest the pandemic measures. Anti-lockdown protests by hundreds or even thousands have occurred sporadically during the pandemic, often resulting in a small number of arrests. England's latest Covid-19 lockdown measures have been in place since early January, after the UK saw a surge in cases. Months of restrictions alongside the successful vaccine rollout -- with more than 45 million doses administered -- has seen the situation improve.

London: Anti-lockdown protests leads to five arrests, police injuries

Britain's opposition Labour Party on Saturday called for an independent commission on ethics and standards in government after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's former top adviser criticised the UK leader's integrity.

On Friday&nbsp;Dominic&nbsp;Cummings, who left Johnson's staff suddenly late last year having previously been his most influential adviser over Brexit and the 2019 election campaign, denied reports he leaked Johnson's private communications over the sourcing of COVID-19 ventilators.

Cummings&nbsp;also said he was not responsible for leaks over the cost of refurbishing Johnson's residence and that the prime minister and his office had fallen below acceptable standards of competence and integrity.

Johnson's office in response on Friday said the government had followed the rules over the refurbishment. The prime minister had never interfered in a government leak inquiry, his office added.

"We need some kind of independent commission into ethics and standards in government, we can't let the prime minister mark his own homework on this," Steve Reed, Labour's spokesman on communities and local government, told BBC radio.

"This was the closest ally the prime minister's got and he's telling us the prime minister's behaviour was unethical, foolish and possibly illegal," he said.

Britain's opposition Labour Party on Saturday called for an independent commission on ethics and standards in government after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's former top adviser criticised the UK leader's integrity.

Britain's opposition Labour Party on Saturday called for an independent commission on ethics and standards in government after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's former top adviser criticised the UK leader's integrity. On Friday Dominic Cummings, who left Johnson's staff suddenly late last year having previously been his most influential adviser over Brexit and the 2019 election campaign, denied reports he leaked Johnson's private communications over the sourcing of COVID-19 ventilators. Cummings also said he was not responsible for leaks over the cost of refurbishing Johnson's residence and that the prime minister and his office had fallen below acceptable standards of competence and integrity. Johnson's office in response on Friday said the government had followed the rules over the refurbishment. The prime minister had never interfered in a government leak inquiry, his office added. "We need some kind of independent commission into ethics and standards in government, we can't let the prime minister mark his own homework on this," Steve Reed, Labour's spokesman on communities and local government, told BBC radio. "This was the closest ally the prime minister's got and he's telling us the prime minister's behaviour was unethical, foolish and possibly illegal," he said.

UK opposition calls for standards commission after PM criticised by former top adviser

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

UK parliament declares genocide in China's Xinjiang

The&nbsp;ex-wife&nbsp;of a Russian billionaire on Wednesday won a British&nbsp;court&nbsp;case&nbsp;against&nbsp;her&nbsp;son, whom she accuses of helping his father hide his assets during the&nbsp;bitter&nbsp;divorce&nbsp;battle.

The High&nbsp;Court&nbsp;of England and Wales in 2016 awarded Tatiana Akhmedova 41.5 percent of Farkhad Akhmedov's $1-billion-plus fortune.&nbsp;

But she said 65-year-old businessman Akhmedov has hidden some of his assets with the help of their 27-year-old&nbsp;son, Temur Akhmedov, and claimed she is owed around £70 million.

Temur Akhmedov asked the Family Division of the High&nbsp;Court&nbsp;in London to dismiss her claims&nbsp;against&nbsp;him, but judge Gwynneth Knowles ruled in favour of his mother.

"Today's judgment is the inevitable conclusion given Farkhad's failure to behave honourably in the first instance," London-based Tatiana Akhmedova said in a statement.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="China: Couples rush for getting divorce after new law requiring 'cooling-off' period kicks in">China: Couples rush for getting divorce after new law requiring 'cooling-off' period kicks in</a>

A spokesman for Temur Akhmedov said he had "never sought to take sides or get involved but inevitably found himself sucked into the vortex of a&nbsp;bitter&nbsp;family dispute.

"His subsequent actions were only ever motivated by his desire to end the war between his parents.

"While he fundamentally disagrees with this judgment, he would consider it a price worth paying should it lead to a reasonable settlement between the parents he both loves."

Azerbaijan-born Akhmedov became a senator in Russia after making his money in oil and gas. He featured on a 2018 US government list of Russian business and political elites.

The&nbsp;court&nbsp;was earlier told that Akhmedov had transferred a yacht and art collection into the ownership of trusts in Liechtenstein in what Akhmedova has described as a "strategy of evasion".

He bought the 115-metre (377-foot) yacht -- the MV Luna -- from the Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich.

In her written ruling, judge Knowles quoted the Russian novel "Anna Karenina". "All happy families are alike, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way," she said.&nbsp;

"With apologies to Tolstoy, the Akhmedov family is one of the unhappiest ever to have appeared in my courtroom.

"Though this&nbsp;case&nbsp;concerns wealth of which most can only dream, it is -- at its core -- a straightforward&nbsp;case&nbsp;in which, following their&nbsp;divorce, a wife seeks to recover that which is owed to her from a husband and his proxies who, it is alleged, have done all they can to put monies beyond her reach."

The ex-wife of a Russian billionaire on Wednesday won a British court case against her son, whom she accuses of helping his father hide his assets during the bitter divorce battle.

The ex-wife of a Russian billionaire on Wednesday won a British court case against her son, whom she accuses of helping his father hide his assets during the bitter divorce battle. The High Court of England and Wales in 2016 awarded Tatiana Akhmedova 41.5 percent of Farkhad Akhmedov's $1-billion-plus fortune. But she said 65-year-old businessman Akhmedov has hidden some of his assets with the help of their 27-year-old son, Temur Akhmedov, and claimed she is owed around £70 million. Temur Akhmedov asked the Family Division of the High Court in London to dismiss her claims against him, but judge Gwynneth Knowles ruled in favour of his mother. "Today's judgment is the inevitable conclusion given Farkhad's failure to behave honourably in the first instance," London-based Tatiana Akhmedova said in a statement. Also Read | China: Couples rush for getting divorce after new law requiring 'cooling-off' period kicks in A spokesman for Temur Akhmedov said he had "never sought to take sides or get involved but inevitably found himself sucked into the vortex of a bitter family dispute. "His subsequent actions were only ever motivated by his desire to end the war between his parents. "While he fundamentally disagrees with this judgment, he would consider it a price worth paying should it lead to a reasonable settlement between the parents he both loves." Azerbaijan-born Akhmedov became a senator in Russia after making his money in oil and gas. He featured on a 2018 US government list of Russian business and political elites. The court was earlier told that Akhmedov had transferred a yacht and art collection into the ownership of trusts in Liechtenstein in what Akhmedova has described as a "strategy of evasion". He bought the 115-metre (377-foot) yacht -- the MV Luna -- from the Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich. In her written ruling, judge Knowles quoted the Russian novel "Anna Karenina". "All happy families are alike, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way," she said. "With apologies to Tolstoy, the Akhmedov family is one of the unhappiest ever to have appeared in my courtroom. "Though this case concerns wealth of which most can only dream, it is -- at its core -- a straightforward case in which, following their divorce, a wife seeks to recover that which is owed to her from a husband and his proxies who, it is alleged, have done all they can to put monies beyond her reach."

Ex-wife in bitter £450m divorce wins UK court case against Russian oligarch's son

A total of 168 people have suffered rare blood clots after taking the AstraZeneca coronavirus <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a> in Britain, and 32 have died, the UK's medicines regulator said Thursday.

The figures for clots or "thromboembolic events" run up to April 14, by when 21.2 million people had received first doses of the vaccine, according to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

It represents a rise of 10 deaths compared to the period up to April 5, and an additional 68 cases.

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"On the basis of this ongoing review, the advice remains that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks in the majority of people," the MHRA said.

Acting on the regulator's advice, the UK government this month agreed to offer most people under 30 an alternative to the AstraZeneca coronavirus jab if possible, due to concerns over blood clots.

Of the 168 cases in the latest summary, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST or blood clots in the brain) was reported in 77 cases, with an average age of 47.

A further 91 cases had other "major thromboembolic events" along with thrombocytopenia -- low platelet counts -- with an average age of 55.

Overall, 93 women and 75 men suffered clots after receiving the vaccine.

"I would expect the true number of cases per million doses of vaccine to become clear fairly soon as these reports stabilise, but it is already clear that it is going to remain a very rare event," University of Bristol paediatrics professor Adam Finn said.

Britain has Europe's highest death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic but since the mass vaccination drive began with the AstraZeneca jab in December, rates of infection, hospitalisation and death have plummeted.

The coronavirus was no longer the leading cause of death in March, according to separate data released by the Office for National Statistics.

It said that Covid-19 was the third leading cause of death in England last month, dropping from the top spot for the first time since October.

A total of 168 people have suffered rare blood clots after taking the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in Britain, and 32 have died, the UK's medicines regulator said Thursday.

A total of 168 people have suffered rare blood clots after taking the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in Britain, and 32 have died, the UK's medicines regulator said Thursday. The figures for clots or "thromboembolic events" run up to April 14, by when 21.2 million people had received first doses of the vaccine, according to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). It represents a rise of 10 deaths compared to the period up to April 5, and an additional 68 cases. Also read | Is steam inhalation helpful in fighting COVID? All you need to know "On the basis of this ongoing review, the advice remains that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks in the majority of people," the MHRA said. Acting on the regulator's advice, the UK government this month agreed to offer most people under 30 an alternative to the AstraZeneca coronavirus jab if possible, due to concerns over blood clots. Of the 168 cases in the latest summary, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST or blood clots in the brain) was reported in 77 cases, with an average age of 47. A further 91 cases had other "major thromboembolic events" along with thrombocytopenia -- low platelet counts -- with an average age of 55. Overall, 93 women and 75 men suffered clots after receiving the vaccine. "I would expect the true number of cases per million doses of vaccine to become clear fairly soon as these reports stabilise, but it is already clear that it is going to remain a very rare event," University of Bristol paediatrics professor Adam Finn said. Britain has Europe's highest death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic but since the mass vaccination drive began with the AstraZeneca jab in December, rates of infection, hospitalisation and death have plummeted. The coronavirus was no longer the leading cause of death in March, according to separate data released by the Office for National Statistics. It said that Covid-19 was the third leading cause of death in England last month, dropping from the top spot for the first time since October.

UK reports 32 deaths from clots after AstraZeneca jabs

The United kingdom has apologized after a report found that it failed to properly commemorate Black and Asian troops who died fighting for the British Empire during World War 1 due to 'pervasive racism'.

UK apologizes for 'pervasive racism' over commemoration of Black and Asian war dead

Touching artwork is strictly forbidden in most museums, let alone buying it and taking it home. But the Design Museum in London wants visitors to do precisely that.&nbsp;

It has transformed its gift shop to create what it describes as 'the world's first artist-designed supermarket' as a way of getting around coronavirus lockdown rules.&nbsp;

Under the government's plan to ease restrictions, museums in England have to remain shut until May 17 at the earliest, even as gyms, hairdressing salons and pubs have reopened.&nbsp;

But the west London museum has avoided weeks of further closure by converting its gift shop into a store selling essential items.&nbsp;

The products, ranging from rice and coffee to the most modern of essentials, face masks, are wrapped in packaging designed by 10 emerging artists.&nbsp;

Proceeds from the five-day exhibition, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday, with financial backing from gin company Bombay Sapphire, will go towards a fund for artists and designers.&nbsp;

Images of empty shelves and shortages of toilet paper and pasta at supermarkets marked the start of the pandemic in the UK last March.&nbsp;

But the Design Museum shop and its products are far from mundane: clean lines of brightly coloured jars and cans are neatly arranged on the shelves, with nothing out of place.&nbsp;

Museum director Tim Marlow said the exhibition called into question the nature of what is judged to be essential in everyday life.&nbsp;

So-called non-essential retail reopened in England on April 12. &nbsp;

"Isn't creativity essential? We're in a shop that's actually a work of art. From the street you see this flattened pattern or canvas, but once you're inside the experience is completely different," he told AFP.&nbsp;

"You can buy essential food items at competitive prices. It's about who profits, who funds, and exchange as much about culture.&nbsp;

"There's a fun element to it, there's a questioning and critical element and a culturally serious aspect to it.&nbsp;

"We're bemused by the fact that non-essential retail, gyms and hairdressers can open and museums will have to wait until the 17th (of May), but it is as it is."&nbsp;

The Design Museum lost 92 percent of its income due to forced closures but received a government grant of almost £3 million ($4.1 million, 3.4 million euros) last year to keep it afloat.&nbsp;

Touching artwork is strictly forbidden in most museums, let alone buying it and taking it home. But the Design Museum in London wants visitors to do precisely that.

Touching artwork is strictly forbidden in most museums, let alone buying it and taking it home. But the Design Museum in London wants visitors to do precisely that. It has transformed its gift shop to create what it describes as 'the world's first artist-designed supermarket' as a way of getting around coronavirus lockdown rules. Under the government's plan to ease restrictions, museums in England have to remain shut until May 17 at the earliest, even as gyms, hairdressing salons and pubs have reopened. But the west London museum has avoided weeks of further closure by converting its gift shop into a store selling essential items. The products, ranging from rice and coffee to the most modern of essentials, face masks, are wrapped in packaging designed by 10 emerging artists. Proceeds from the five-day exhibition, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday, with financial backing from gin company Bombay Sapphire, will go towards a fund for artists and designers. Images of empty shelves and shortages of toilet paper and pasta at supermarkets marked the start of the pandemic in the UK last March. But the Design Museum shop and its products are far from mundane: clean lines of brightly coloured jars and cans are neatly arranged on the shelves, with nothing out of place. Museum director Tim Marlow said the exhibition called into question the nature of what is judged to be essential in everyday life. So-called non-essential retail reopened in England on April 12. "Isn't creativity essential? We're in a shop that's actually a work of art. From the street you see this flattened pattern or canvas, but once you're inside the experience is completely different," he told AFP. "You can buy essential food items at competitive prices. It's about who profits, who funds, and exchange as much about culture. "There's a fun element to it, there's a questioning and critical element and a culturally serious aspect to it. "We're bemused by the fact that non-essential retail, gyms and hairdressers can open and museums will have to wait until the 17th (of May), but it is as it is." The Design Museum lost 92 percent of its income due to forced closures but received a government grant of almost £3 million ($4.1 million, 3.4 million euros) last year to keep it afloat.

Covid-hit UK museum reopens as a supermarket 

The British government said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson did nothing wrong when he exchanged text messages with a wealthy industrialist and promised he would 'fix' the tax rules for him.&nbsp;

The BBC reported that it had seen messages between Johnson and James Dyson, the vacuum cleaner inventor and home products magnate. The texts were sent in March 2020, when the coronavirus was sweeping across Britain and the government, fearing the health service would be overwhelmed, was trying to secure more ventilators.&nbsp;

It approached the Singapore-based Dyson, who sought assurances that his staff members would not have to pay extra taxes if they came to Britain to work on the project.&nbsp;

According to the BBC, Johnson texted: “I will fix it tomo (tomorrow)! We need you. It looks fantastic."&nbsp;

The main opposition Labour Party said the ‘jaw-dropping' revelations suggested that the prime minister had used the power of his office to personally hand public money to a billionaire friend in the form of tax breaks.&nbsp;

The British government denied wrongdoing, saying it, did everything we could in extraordinary times to protect our citizens and get access to the right medical equipment.&nbsp;

Dyson's company did work on ventilators, but they did not go into full production. &nbsp;

He said it was absurd to suggest that the urgent correspondence was anything other than seeking compliance with rules, as 450 Dyson people in UK and Singapore worked around the clock, seven days a week to build potentially life-saving equipment at a time of dire need.&nbsp;

The news comes on top of allegations of cronyism involving one of Johnson's Conservative predecessors, former Prime Minister David Cameron.&nbsp;

Cameron, who led Britain between 2010 and 2016, lobbied on behalf of a now-bankrupt financial services firm, Greensill Capital, whose founder he had employed as an adviser. Greensill collapsed last month, threatening thousands of jobs at a British manufacturer, Liberty Steel, which it helped finance.&nbsp;

Cameron has denied wrongdoing. Both the government and Parliament have launched inquiries. Opposition parties are calling for tougher rules on links between government ministers, civil servants and businesses, saying Britain's laxly enforced lobbying regulations leave the door open to corruption. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The British government said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson did nothing wrong when he exchanged text messages with a wealthy industrialist and promised he would 'fix' the tax rules for him.

The British government said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson did nothing wrong when he exchanged text messages with a wealthy industrialist and promised he would 'fix' the tax rules for him. The BBC reported that it had seen messages between Johnson and James Dyson, the vacuum cleaner inventor and home products magnate. The texts were sent in March 2020, when the coronavirus was sweeping across Britain and the government, fearing the health service would be overwhelmed, was trying to secure more ventilators. It approached the Singapore-based Dyson, who sought assurances that his staff members would not have to pay extra taxes if they came to Britain to work on the project. According to the BBC, Johnson texted: “I will fix it tomo (tomorrow)! We need you. It looks fantastic." The main opposition Labour Party said the ‘jaw-dropping' revelations suggested that the prime minister had used the power of his office to personally hand public money to a billionaire friend in the form of tax breaks. The British government denied wrongdoing, saying it, did everything we could in extraordinary times to protect our citizens and get access to the right medical equipment. Dyson's company did work on ventilators, but they did not go into full production. He said it was absurd to suggest that the urgent correspondence was anything other than seeking compliance with rules, as 450 Dyson people in UK and Singapore worked around the clock, seven days a week to build potentially life-saving equipment at a time of dire need. The news comes on top of allegations of cronyism involving one of Johnson's Conservative predecessors, former Prime Minister David Cameron. Cameron, who led Britain between 2010 and 2016, lobbied on behalf of a now-bankrupt financial services firm, Greensill Capital, whose founder he had employed as an adviser. Greensill collapsed last month, threatening thousands of jobs at a British manufacturer, Liberty Steel, which it helped finance. Cameron has denied wrongdoing. Both the government and Parliament have launched inquiries. Opposition parties are calling for tougher rules on links between government ministers, civil servants and businesses, saying Britain's laxly enforced lobbying regulations leave the door open to corruption. (With inputs from agencies)

UK leader denies breaking lobbying rules with texts to Dyson 

The United Kingdom has invited India for an in-person&nbsp;G7&nbsp;foreign ministers meeting that will take place in London from May 3-5. The UK as the chair of the grouping for this year has invited India, along with Australia, South Korea, South Africa, and the Chair and Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 
 
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said,"the meeting of&nbsp;G7&nbsp;Foreign and Development Ministers next month is an opportunity to show how the world’s biggest democracies work together to ensure equitable access to vaccines, build back better from the pandemic, support girls in the poorest countries get a good quality education and agree ambitious action to tackle climate change."

A key focus of the meet will be&nbsp;the COVID-19 crisis&nbsp;as the pandemic continues to ravage large parts of the world. Climate change will be the other big focus area, given the UK will also&nbsp;host&nbsp;the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) meet later this year.

G7&nbsp;is a grouping of seven&nbsp;industrialised countries - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, US &amp; UK - plus the EU. This will be the first physical&nbsp;G7&nbsp;meet to take place in over two&nbsp;years, the last being in Dinard and Saint-Malo, France in April 2019.&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to the 47th&nbsp;G7&nbsp;summit that will take place in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, UK from June 11-13. India has been regularly invited for the&nbsp;G7&nbsp;summit since 2019, first by France, then in 2020 by the US, and now by the UK this year. The physical&nbsp;G7&nbsp;meet last year, under the former&nbsp;US President Donald Trump never happened, for reasons not known but perhaps due to the&nbsp;pandemic.&nbsp; 
 
The former&nbsp;Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was first invited for the G8 grouping in 2005, back then by the UK in Gleneagles. The group became&nbsp;G7&nbsp;after&nbsp;"disinviting" Russia in 2014 over Crimea crisis.

The United Kingdom has invited India for an in-person G7 foreign ministers meeting that will take place in London from May 3-5. The UK as the chair of the grouping for this year has invited India, along with Australia, South Korea, South Africa, and the Chair and Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The United Kingdom has invited India for an in-person G7 foreign ministers meeting that will take place in London from May 3-5. The UK as the chair of the grouping for this year has invited India, along with Australia, South Korea, South Africa, and the Chair and Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said,"the meeting of G7 Foreign and Development Ministers next month is an opportunity to show how the world’s biggest democracies work together to ensure equitable access to vaccines, build back better from the pandemic, support girls in the poorest countries get a good quality education and agree ambitious action to tackle climate change." A key focus of the meet will be the COVID-19 crisis as the pandemic continues to ravage large parts of the world. Climate change will be the other big focus area, given the UK will also host the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) meet later this year. G7 is a grouping of seven industrialised countries - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, US & UK - plus the EU. This will be the first physical G7 meet to take place in over two years, the last being in Dinard and Saint-Malo, France in April 2019. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to the 47th G7 summit that will take place in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, UK from June 11-13. India has been regularly invited for the G7 summit since 2019, first by France, then in 2020 by the US, and now by the UK this year. The physical G7 meet last year, under the former US President Donald Trump never happened, for reasons not known but perhaps due to the pandemic. The former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was first invited for the G8 grouping in 2005, back then by the UK in Gleneagles. The group became G7 after "disinviting" Russia in 2014 over Crimea crisis.

UK invites India for G7 FMs meet in London in May

Britain on Monday added India to its COVID-19 travel "red list", which effectively bans all travel from the country and makes a 10-day hotel quarantine compulsory for UK residents arriving back to the country.

UK adds India to COVID-19 travel 'red list' amid new variant cases

British warships will sail for the Black Sea in May amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia, the Sunday Times newspaper reported, citing senior naval sources.&nbsp;

The deployment is aimed at showing solidarity with Ukraine and Britain's NATO allies, the newspaper reported.&nbsp;

One Type 45 destroyer armed with anti-aircraft missiles and an anti-submarine Type 23 frigate will leave the Royal Navy's carrier task group in the Mediterranean and head through the Bosphorus into the Black Sea, according to the report.&nbsp;

RAF F-35B Lightning stealth jets and Merlin submarine-hunting helicopters will stand ready on the task group's flag ship, the carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, to support the warships in the Black Sea, the report added.&nbsp;

Tensions between Moscow and Kyiv have been rising amid a build-up of Russian troops along the border and clashes in eastern Ukraine between the army and pro-Russian separatists.&nbsp;

Officials at the UK Ministry of Defence were not immediately available for comment. &nbsp;

A ministry spokesman told the newspaper that the UK government was working closely with Ukraine to monitor the situation and continued to call on Russia to de-escalate.&nbsp;

"The UK and our international allies are unwavering in our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity", the newspaper quoted the spokesman as saying.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

British warships will sail for the Black Sea in May amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia, the Sunday Times newspaper reported, citing senior naval sources.

British warships will sail for the Black Sea in May amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia, the Sunday Times newspaper reported, citing senior naval sources. The deployment is aimed at showing solidarity with Ukraine and Britain's NATO allies, the newspaper reported. One Type 45 destroyer armed with anti-aircraft missiles and an anti-submarine Type 23 frigate will leave the Royal Navy's carrier task group in the Mediterranean and head through the Bosphorus into the Black Sea, according to the report. RAF F-35B Lightning stealth jets and Merlin submarine-hunting helicopters will stand ready on the task group's flag ship, the carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, to support the warships in the Black Sea, the report added. Tensions between Moscow and Kyiv have been rising amid a build-up of Russian troops along the border and clashes in eastern Ukraine between the army and pro-Russian separatists. Officials at the UK Ministry of Defence were not immediately available for comment. A ministry spokesman told the newspaper that the UK government was working closely with Ukraine to monitor the situation and continued to call on Russia to de-escalate. "The UK and our international allies are unwavering in our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity", the newspaper quoted the spokesman as saying. (With inputs from agencies)

UK warships to head for Black Sea in May as tensions rise: Report 

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