Speaking at the government's daily coronavirus briefing, Patel said: 'A minority of people are putting the health of the nation at risk by not following the rules.'

UK Covid-19: 'Rules are very clear and tough enough', says Home Sec Priti Patel

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

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

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

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

Tesco, Asda and Waitrose will not let shoppers into their stores if they are not wearing a face covering, the British supermarket groups said on Tuesday, joining rivals Sainsbury`s and Morrisons which made the policy change a day earlier. 
 
With COVID-19 infection numbers rising sharply, the UK government has expressed concern about the spread of the virus in supermarkets, with some people breaching rules by not wearing masks while shopping. 
 
Non-essential retail, restaurants and bars are shut across Britain, leading to a high level of demand for supermarkets and other food stores. 
 
"To protect our customers and colleagues, we won’t let anyone into our stores who is not wearing a face covering, unless they are exempt in line with government guidance," market leader Tesco said in a statement. 
 
"Our colleagues are working hard in difficult circumstances to make sure everyone can get what they need, and we’d ask everyone to please be kind, patient and respectful as we all work to keep each other safe." 
 
Tesco said it was also asking customers to shop alone, unless they are a carer or with children. 
 
It has also put in additional security in stores to manage the change in stance. 
 
Asda issued a similar statement. It said if customers had forgotten a face covering, it would continue to offer them one free of charge. 
 
"But should a customer refuse to wear a covering without a valid medical reason and be in any way challenging to our colleagues about doing so - our security colleagues will refuse their entry," it said. 
 
The John Lewis Partnership also said face coverings would be mandatory at its Waitrose supermarkets. 
 
The British Retail Consortium, which represents more than 170 major retailers including the big supermarket groups, said on Monday it was the police`s responsibility to enforce face coverings and called for their support.

Tesco, Asda and Waitrose will not let shoppers into their stores if they are not wearing a face covering, the British supermarket groups said on Tuesday, joining rivals Sainsbury`s and Morrisons which made the policy change a day earlier.

Tesco, Asda and Waitrose will not let shoppers into their stores if they are not wearing a face covering, the British supermarket groups said on Tuesday, joining rivals Sainsbury`s and Morrisons which made the policy change a day earlier. With COVID-19 infection numbers rising sharply, the UK government has expressed concern about the spread of the virus in supermarkets, with some people breaching rules by not wearing masks while shopping. Non-essential retail, restaurants and bars are shut across Britain, leading to a high level of demand for supermarkets and other food stores. "To protect our customers and colleagues, we won’t let anyone into our stores who is not wearing a face covering, unless they are exempt in line with government guidance," market leader Tesco said in a statement. "Our colleagues are working hard in difficult circumstances to make sure everyone can get what they need, and we’d ask everyone to please be kind, patient and respectful as we all work to keep each other safe." Tesco said it was also asking customers to shop alone, unless they are a carer or with children. It has also put in additional security in stores to manage the change in stance. Asda issued a similar statement. It said if customers had forgotten a face covering, it would continue to offer them one free of charge. "But should a customer refuse to wear a covering without a valid medical reason and be in any way challenging to our colleagues about doing so - our security colleagues will refuse their entry," it said. The John Lewis Partnership also said face coverings would be mandatory at its Waitrose supermarkets. The British Retail Consortium, which represents more than 170 major retailers including the big supermarket groups, said on Monday it was the police`s responsibility to enforce face coverings and called for their support.

No mask, no shop - UK supermarkets insist on face coverings

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the country is in a race against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines as COVID-19 related deaths continue to rise and hospitals run out of oxygen.

COVID-19: Hospitals in UK are running out of oxygen | Watch this report

British airline EasyJet has secured a new five-year loan facility of $1.87 billion, it is backed by a partial guarantee from the UK.

World Business Watch: EasyJet secures new five-year $1.87 billion loan with UK guarantee

Boris Johnson: Race against time to roll out Coronavirus vaccine

United Kingdom has become the epicentre of Europe's COVID-19 outbreak once again. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government is currently facing immense criticism and anger from the people over its handling of the pandemic.

COVID-19: UK urges citizens to obey rules as deaths surpass 81,000

Boris Johnson under fire as UK again faces onslaught of COVID-19

Along with the foreign minister of UK, Canada and Australia express serious concern over the arrest of prominent pro democracy leaders and activists in Hong Kong.

World Leaders criticise HK's mass arrest by issuing joint statement

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

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip receives COVID-19 vaccinations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EFL records 112 positive COVID-19 tests in latest round

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

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

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

Liverpool and Everton help out FA Cup minnows Marine

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

COVID-19 Pandemic: People leave London for greener pastures

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

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

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

Moderna COVID vaccine gets approval in UK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UK rebukes China for mass arrests in Hong Kong

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces another national lockdown

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