Britain’s financial watchdog said on Tuesday it would ban the sale to retail investors of products tracking the price of cryptoassets like Bitcoin, arguing that most people lost money on them.

UK watchdog bans Bitcoin-based products for retail investors

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that COVID-19 infections were rising in London and elsewhere, but that his government's approach to controlling the spread of the virus was still the right one.

"The local and regional approach combined with the national measures remains correct," Johnson told parliament, when asked why infections continued to rise in areas where local lockdown measures have been put in place.

Analysis presented in parliament by the opposition Labour Party showed that infection rates had risen in 19 out of 20 areas in England that are subject to additional lockdown measures.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/boris-johnson-warns-bumpy-covid-winter-mulling-three-tier-lockdown-332606" hreflang="en">Boris Johnson warns bumpy COVID winter; mulling 'three-tier lockdown'</a>

Johnson's strategy over the summer, when new nationwide infections were in the low hundreds per day, was to try to shut down localised outbreaks while reopening the wider economy. On Tuesday, Britain reported more than 15,000 new infections.

The analysis showed that in Wigan, northwest England, the infection rate, measured as the number of confirmed cases per 100,000 population, had risen by 3,653% since a local lockdown was first imposed on July 30, increasing to 225 from 6.

Increases in the other areas were between 13% and 2,241%, Labour's data showed.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that COVID-19 infections were rising in London and elsewhere, but that his government's approach to controlling the spread of the virus was still the right one.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that COVID-19 infections were rising in London and elsewhere, but that his government's approach to controlling the spread of the virus was still the right one. "The local and regional approach combined with the national measures remains correct," Johnson told parliament, when asked why infections continued to rise in areas where local lockdown measures have been put in place. Analysis presented in parliament by the opposition Labour Party showed that infection rates had risen in 19 out of 20 areas in England that are subject to additional lockdown measures. Also read: Boris Johnson warns bumpy COVID winter; mulling 'three-tier lockdown' Johnson's strategy over the summer, when new nationwide infections were in the low hundreds per day, was to try to shut down localised outbreaks while reopening the wider economy. On Tuesday, Britain reported more than 15,000 new infections. The analysis showed that in Wigan, northwest England, the infection rate, measured as the number of confirmed cases per 100,000 population, had risen by 3,653% since a local lockdown was first imposed on July 30, increasing to 225 from 6. Increases in the other areas were between 13% and 2,241%, Labour's data showed.

UK PM Johnson says COVID cases rising but lockdown approach correct

Financial authority in the UK on Tuesday banned some cryptocurrency-based products in order to safeguard retail consumers. From next year, firms in UK will not be able to sell, market or distribute products that track prices of crypto-assets. This covers futures, options, exchange-traded notes and contracts-for-difference. Although analysts believe that the decision will not affect the actual sale of cryptocurrencies, the online trading platforms for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ripple and Ether among others are expected to get a hit.

UK's Financial Conduct Authority said that it has taken the decision to safeguard retail consumers as they are exposed to unexpected financial losses due to unregulated crypto-assets. Volatility and unreliable valuations add to retail consumers' woes.

The latest decision by the FCA came a year after it actually proposed such a ban. The authority took a review of the situation in its analysis that went on for a year.

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Soon after the decision of the FCA, shares in the online trading platform fell by 2-3 per cent.

Cryptocurrencies have attracted a lot of interest from investors all around the globe in recent years. According to an estimate, the cryptocurrency market is worth around USD 337 billion. It was worth USD 200 billion just 2 years ago.

Financial authority in the UK on Tuesday banned some cryptocurrency-based products in order to safeguard retail consumers. From next year, firms in UK will not be able to sell, market or distribute products that track prices of crypto-assets.

Financial authority in the UK on Tuesday banned some cryptocurrency-based products in order to safeguard retail consumers. From next year, firms in UK will not be able to sell, market or distribute products that track prices of crypto-assets. This covers futures, options, exchange-traded notes and contracts-for-difference. Although analysts believe that the decision will not affect the actual sale of cryptocurrencies, the online trading platforms for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ripple and Ether among others are expected to get a hit. UK's Financial Conduct Authority said that it has taken the decision to safeguard retail consumers as they are exposed to unexpected financial losses due to unregulated crypto-assets. Volatility and unreliable valuations add to retail consumers' woes. The latest decision by the FCA came a year after it actually proposed such a ban. The authority took a review of the situation in its analysis that went on for a year. × Soon after the decision of the FCA, shares in the online trading platform fell by 2-3 per cent. Cryptocurrencies have attracted a lot of interest from investors all around the globe in recent years. According to an estimate, the cryptocurrency market is worth around USD 337 billion. It was worth USD 200 billion just 2 years ago.

Cryptocurrency products banned in UK after year-long review

Cornwall, in England’s far southwest, is known for antique fishing villages and snug, cliff-lined beaches. Soon it may be the scene of something very different: a small but growing space industry.

One day in a year or two, a modified Boeing 747 is expected to lift off from the long runway at the region’s airport, head out over the Atlantic Ocean and soar into the stratosphere. There, a rocket will drop from below a wing, fire its engines and ferry a load of small satellites into orbit, while the plane returns to the airport.

After six years of planning and fundraising, construction of a bare-bones spaceport, budgeted at about 22 million pounds ($28 million), is beginning this month at the airport in Newquay.

The anchor tenant is expected to be Virgin Orbit, a part of Richard Branson’s Virgin universe. Its selling point: Putting satellites into orbit via aircraft can be done faster and with less infrastructure than earthbound rockets. It plans to bring its 747 (called the Cosmic Girl) and other gear being tested in the Mojave Desert to Britain with the help of 7.35 million pounds from the U.K. Space Agency.

“At the beginning, people laughed at us,” said Melissa Thorpe, head of engagement for Spaceport Cornwall, the developer. “It took a lot of work to convince a lot of people.”

Among the better arguments: The spaceport, which is owned by the local government, could eventually provide 150 good jobs in what, despite its charm, is a region dependent on low-paid, seasonal work from tourism.

Britain is doubling down on the always risky space business after, some would say, years of neglect. Besides Cornwall, the government is putting money behind several other potential launch sites, including one on the remote north coast of Scotland, which is being tailored for an environmentally friendly rocket to be manufactured nearby.

This is all new for a country that does not have a deep history of rocketry or launching satellites into space. The case for spaceports in Britain is far from proven. In fact, some analysts say there are already too many such facilities, including in the United States.

The first — and, to date, only — British-made satellite-bearing rocket was launched from Woomera in Australia in 1971. That program, called Black Arrow, was scrapped after four launches for not being cost effective.

“You do have to pinch yourself that the U.K is within a few years of launching satellites,” said Doug Millard, space curator at the Science Museum in London. “That is something that never would have been considered not so long ago.”

A big reason for the turnaround is Brexit. The decision to pull away from the European Union has heightened awareness that Britain, which has largely relied on European and American space programs for services like satellite navigation, would be at risk without its own space infrastructure. This year the space agency’s budget was bumped up 10% to 556 million pounds (still a small fraction of NASA’s $22 billion).

Brexit has provided “a real stimulus to get us to think about what we actually need as a country in space,” said Graham Turnock, chief executive of the U.K. Space Agency.

But the decision to look skyward also coincides with the growing commercial use of space around the world, promoted by deep-pocketed investors like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Branson, but also pushed along by a range of less prominent entrepreneurs and businesses.

Key has been the emergence of much smaller and cheaper satellites, some the size of a shoe box and costing a relatively small $1 million or less. Some are used for observation, such as measuring how much oil is stored in a tank farm, valuable data for energy investors. Others are planned to provide internet connectivity on earth and a key link in the burgeoning Internet of Things, essential for self-driving cars and smart kitchens.

“We are right at the beginning of this journey,” said Mark Boggett, chief executive of London-based Seraphim Capital, which is managing a $90 million space fund.

The government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson put its own chips on such efforts by agreeing in July to spend 500 million pounds to acquire 45% of OneWeb, a satellite operator.

OneWeb filed for bankruptcy this year, but is involved in the hottest area of the satellite industry: the creation of so-called constellations, blizzards of coordinated satellites in low orbit, designed to provide blanket coverage for purposes like extending the internet to remote regions.

OneWeb is building its satellites at a factory co-owned by Airbus in Florida. The hope in the British government and space community is that OneWeb will build a future generation of satellites in Britain.

Overall, the government is trying to support activity in what is known as “new space,” a more agile and commercial approach to an industry traditionally dominated by government and military programs.

“OneWeb, and what we are doing on launch, is all about taking a really big role in that new economy,” Turnock said.

While Britain has participated in prestigious space activities like making a Mars rover for an upcoming European-Russian mission, it has catching up to do. Still, space experts say the direction the industry is moving could play to its advantage.

The launch vehicles that Britain is trying to nurture would be suited for smaller satellites that operate in low-Earth orbit, around 800 miles up, compared with about 22,000 miles for telecommunications giants that sometimes cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

Smaller satellites also have much shorter life spans than the larger ones, implying the need for more of them, and more launches. Virgin Orbit says it plans to charge $12 million to take a nearly 700-pound payload of satellites into space.

Having nearby launch sites will fill a need for companies like In-Space Missions, a space service firm in Hampshire, outside London. Doug Liddle, the chief executive, said the company went all the way to New Zealand to launch a satellite this year, only to lose it when the rocket failed.

The new space economy is also more affordable for medium-size countries like Britain.

“The small-satellite approach now means we are not going to spend our entire national budget on our space program,” said Martin Sweeting, a founder and executive chairman of a British university spinoff called Surrey Satellite Technology, a pioneer in small satellites.

Space is also becoming far more accessible to startups like Open Cosmos, which offers to build satellites and arrange their launch and early operation at a cost of $10 million or less. The company is one of many technology businesses clustered in Harwell, a community near the University of Oxford.

Among the neighbors are clients like Lacuna Space, which plans to deploy satellites for a range of uses like tracking cattle on vast Latin American ranches, and potential suppliers like Oxford Space Systems, which builds satellite-mounted antennas that unfurl once in orbit to send data to ground receivers.

“It is a small ecosystem. Everybody knows each other,” said Rafel Jordá Siquier, 31, founder of Open Cosmos.

But not all the companies are startups. Airbus, the giant French maker of commercial aircraft, is also a major manufacturer of satellites and employs 3,500 people doing space work in Britain.

The company had been nervous about Brexit’s implications for those operations, but the government’s move into OneWeb offered some reassurance.

“The investment in OneWeb and focus of the U.K. on space is actually making Airbus go, ‘Look, the U.K. is a really good place to invest,’” said Richard Franklin, head of space and defense for Britain at Airbus.

That said, Britain’s ambitions face large unknowns and risks.

The launch technologies it is counting on are unproven. Virgin Orbit’s first test this year in the United States sputtered when the main rocket engine shut down. And the coronavirus pandemic has put huge financial strain on Branson’s empire, including the flagship, Virgin Atlantic. To help bolster the finances of the airline and other companies, the entrepreneur sold around $500 million of shares in Virgin Galactic, a space tourism business.

But Will Pomerantz, Virgin Orbit’s vice president for special projects, said the 747 would come to Cornwall “when they are ready and they need us.”

The satellite market is also both competitive and turbulent. Musk, Tesla’s founder, whose SpaceX has carried U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station and returned them safely to Earth, is building his own mega constellation satellite system, Starlink. Other technology companies are likely to follow, while many countries can now build satellites.

“One of the beautiful things about small sats is that anyone can make one,” said Alexandre Najjar, senior consultant at Euroconsult, a market research firm.

Still, Britain’s space entrepreneurs say having a launchpad near home might give them an edge.

”If we can get in a van and drive our spacecraft up to Scotland or Cornwall, the whole process becomes much more straightforward,” said Liddle, the satellite builder.

Cornwall, in England’s far southwest, is known for antique fishing villages and snug, cliff-lined beaches. Soon it may be the scene of something very different: a small but growing space industry.

Cornwall, in England’s far southwest, is known for antique fishing villages and snug, cliff-lined beaches. Soon it may be the scene of something very different: a small but growing space industry. One day in a year or two, a modified Boeing 747 is expected to lift off from the long runway at the region’s airport, head out over the Atlantic Ocean and soar into the stratosphere. There, a rocket will drop from below a wing, fire its engines and ferry a load of small satellites into orbit, while the plane returns to the airport. After six years of planning and fundraising, construction of a bare-bones spaceport, budgeted at about 22 million pounds ($28 million), is beginning this month at the airport in Newquay. The anchor tenant is expected to be Virgin Orbit, a part of Richard Branson’s Virgin universe. Its selling point: Putting satellites into orbit via aircraft can be done faster and with less infrastructure than earthbound rockets. It plans to bring its 747 (called the Cosmic Girl) and other gear being tested in the Mojave Desert to Britain with the help of 7.35 million pounds from the U.K. Space Agency. “At the beginning, people laughed at us,” said Melissa Thorpe, head of engagement for Spaceport Cornwall, the developer. “It took a lot of work to convince a lot of people.” Among the better arguments: The spaceport, which is owned by the local government, could eventually provide 150 good jobs in what, despite its charm, is a region dependent on low-paid, seasonal work from tourism. Britain is doubling down on the always risky space business after, some would say, years of neglect. Besides Cornwall, the government is putting money behind several other potential launch sites, including one on the remote north coast of Scotland, which is being tailored for an environmentally friendly rocket to be manufactured nearby. This is all new for a country that does not have a deep history of rocketry or launching satellites into space. The case for spaceports in Britain is far from proven. In fact, some analysts say there are already too many such facilities, including in the United States. The first — and, to date, only — British-made satellite-bearing rocket was launched from Woomera in Australia in 1971. That program, called Black Arrow, was scrapped after four launches for not being cost effective. “You do have to pinch yourself that the U.K is within a few years of launching satellites,” said Doug Millard, space curator at the Science Museum in London. “That is something that never would have been considered not so long ago.” A big reason for the turnaround is Brexit. The decision to pull away from the European Union has heightened awareness that Britain, which has largely relied on European and American space programs for services like satellite navigation, would be at risk without its own space infrastructure. This year the space agency’s budget was bumped up 10% to 556 million pounds (still a small fraction of NASA’s $22 billion). Brexit has provided “a real stimulus to get us to think about what we actually need as a country in space,” said Graham Turnock, chief executive of the U.K. Space Agency. But the decision to look skyward also coincides with the growing commercial use of space around the world, promoted by deep-pocketed investors like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Branson, but also pushed along by a range of less prominent entrepreneurs and businesses. Key has been the emergence of much smaller and cheaper satellites, some the size of a shoe box and costing a relatively small $1 million or less. Some are used for observation, such as measuring how much oil is stored in a tank farm, valuable data for energy investors. Others are planned to provide internet connectivity on earth and a key link in the burgeoning Internet of Things, essential for self-driving cars and smart kitchens. “We are right at the beginning of this journey,” said Mark Boggett, chief executive of London-based Seraphim Capital, which is managing a $90 million space fund. The government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson put its own chips on such efforts by agreeing in July to spend 500 million pounds to acquire 45% of OneWeb, a satellite operator. OneWeb filed for bankruptcy this year, but is involved in the hottest area of the satellite industry: the creation of so-called constellations, blizzards of coordinated satellites in low orbit, designed to provide blanket coverage for purposes like extending the internet to remote regions. OneWeb is building its satellites at a factory co-owned by Airbus in Florida. The hope in the British government and space community is that OneWeb will build a future generation of satellites in Britain. Overall, the government is trying to support activity in what is known as “new space,” a more agile and commercial approach to an industry traditionally dominated by government and military programs. “OneWeb, and what we are doing on launch, is all about taking a really big role in that new economy,” Turnock said. While Britain has participated in prestigious space activities like making a Mars rover for an upcoming European-Russian mission, it has catching up to do. Still, space experts say the direction the industry is moving could play to its advantage. The launch vehicles that Britain is trying to nurture would be suited for smaller satellites that operate in low-Earth orbit, around 800 miles up, compared with about 22,000 miles for telecommunications giants that sometimes cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Smaller satellites also have much shorter life spans than the larger ones, implying the need for more of them, and more launches. Virgin Orbit says it plans to charge $12 million to take a nearly 700-pound payload of satellites into space. Having nearby launch sites will fill a need for companies like In-Space Missions, a space service firm in Hampshire, outside London. Doug Liddle, the chief executive, said the company went all the way to New Zealand to launch a satellite this year, only to lose it when the rocket failed. The new space economy is also more affordable for medium-size countries like Britain. “The small-satellite approach now means we are not going to spend our entire national budget on our space program,” said Martin Sweeting, a founder and executive chairman of a British university spinoff called Surrey Satellite Technology, a pioneer in small satellites. Space is also becoming far more accessible to startups like Open Cosmos, which offers to build satellites and arrange their launch and early operation at a cost of $10 million or less. The company is one of many technology businesses clustered in Harwell, a community near the University of Oxford. Among the neighbors are clients like Lacuna Space, which plans to deploy satellites for a range of uses like tracking cattle on vast Latin American ranches, and potential suppliers like Oxford Space Systems, which builds satellite-mounted antennas that unfurl once in orbit to send data to ground receivers. “It is a small ecosystem. Everybody knows each other,” said Rafel Jordá Siquier, 31, founder of Open Cosmos. But not all the companies are startups. Airbus, the giant French maker of commercial aircraft, is also a major manufacturer of satellites and employs 3,500 people doing space work in Britain. The company had been nervous about Brexit’s implications for those operations, but the government’s move into OneWeb offered some reassurance. “The investment in OneWeb and focus of the U.K. on space is actually making Airbus go, ‘Look, the U.K. is a really good place to invest,’” said Richard Franklin, head of space and defense for Britain at Airbus. That said, Britain’s ambitions face large unknowns and risks. The launch technologies it is counting on are unproven. Virgin Orbit’s first test this year in the United States sputtered when the main rocket engine shut down. And the coronavirus pandemic has put huge financial strain on Branson’s empire, including the flagship, Virgin Atlantic. To help bolster the finances of the airline and other companies, the entrepreneur sold around $500 million of shares in Virgin Galactic, a space tourism business. But Will Pomerantz, Virgin Orbit’s vice president for special projects, said the 747 would come to Cornwall “when they are ready and they need us.” The satellite market is also both competitive and turbulent. Musk, Tesla’s founder, whose SpaceX has carried U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station and returned them safely to Earth, is building his own mega constellation satellite system, Starlink. Other technology companies are likely to follow, while many countries can now build satellites. “One of the beautiful things about small sats is that anyone can make one,” said Alexandre Najjar, senior consultant at Euroconsult, a market research firm. Still, Britain’s space entrepreneurs say having a launchpad near home might give them an edge. ”If we can get in a van and drive our spacecraft up to Scotland or Cornwall, the whole process becomes much more straightforward,” said Liddle, the satellite builder.

Britain is getting ready for its space race

UK government might have plans to impose the stricter 'red alert' lockdowns under the proposed ‘three-tier system’ that seeks to ban all outdoor social gatherings

UK planning strict 'three-tier' lockdown to curb COVID-19 spread

Northumbria University has said that 770 students have tested positive for coronavirus. Just 78 of them were displaying symptoms. Watch report.

Major outbreak at Northumbria University: 78 out of 770 students symptomatic

Indian-origin billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa are set to acquire a majority stake in the leading UK supermarket chain Asda from its US owner Walmart after a USD 8.8-billion deal was struck as part of a consortium involving private equity firm TDR Capital.

The Issa brothers, whose parents moved to the UK from Gujarat in the 1970s, own the Euro Garages chain of petrol stations as part of their EG Group business.

The supermarket deal, valued at around 6.8-billion pounds (USD 8.8-billion), follows an auction process for Asda over several months and returns the 71-year-old supermarket company back into British ownership after 21 years, a development welcomed by UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

"Great to see Asda returning to majority UK ownership for the first time in two decades today," Mr Sunak said on Twitter.

"The new owners have already committed to investing over GBP 1 billion in the next three years and increasing the proportion of UK-based suppliers. I wish them the best of luck," he said.

Announcing the deal, Walmart said Asda would keep its headquarters in Leeds in northern England, with chief executive Roger Burnley continuing to be in charge.

"We are very proud to be investing in Asda, an iconic British business that we have admired for many years. Asda's customer-centric philosophy, focus on operational excellence and commitment to the communities in which it operates are the same values that we have built EG Group on," Mohsin and Zuber Issa said in a statement.

The brothers, born in Blackburn in north-west England, pledged support for the long-term growth of the supermarket as they praised the chain's performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the "fundamental strength and resilience" of the business.

"We believe that our experience with EG Group, including our expertise around convenience and brand partnerships and our successful partnership with TDR Capital, can help to accelerate and execute that growth strategy.

"After a successful period as part of Walmart, we are looking forward to helping Asda build a differentiated business that will continue to serve customers brilliantly in communities across the UK," they said.

Robert Burnley welcomed the new ownership as an exciting new chapter and committed to delivering value to customers.

"In a constantly changing retailing environment, our new ownership will further enhance our resilience, whilst creating significant, additional opportunities to drive growth. For Asda colleagues, a strong and growing business is important for our long-term future," said Mr Burnley.

Walmart retains an equity investment in the business with an ongoing commercial relationship and a seat on the board.

The deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021.

Indian-origin billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa are set to acquire a majority stake in the leading UK supermarket chain Asda from its US owner Walmart after a USD 8.

Indian-origin billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa are set to acquire a majority stake in the leading UK supermarket chain Asda from its US owner Walmart after a USD 8.8-billion deal was struck as part of a consortium involving private equity firm TDR Capital. The Issa brothers, whose parents moved to the UK from Gujarat in the 1970s, own the Euro Garages chain of petrol stations as part of their EG Group business. The supermarket deal, valued at around 6.8-billion pounds (USD 8.8-billion), follows an auction process for Asda over several months and returns the 71-year-old supermarket company back into British ownership after 21 years, a development welcomed by UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak. "Great to see Asda returning to majority UK ownership for the first time in two decades today," Mr Sunak said on Twitter. "The new owners have already committed to investing over GBP 1 billion in the next three years and increasing the proportion of UK-based suppliers. I wish them the best of luck," he said. Announcing the deal, Walmart said Asda would keep its headquarters in Leeds in northern England, with chief executive Roger Burnley continuing to be in charge. "We are very proud to be investing in Asda, an iconic British business that we have admired for many years. Asda's customer-centric philosophy, focus on operational excellence and commitment to the communities in which it operates are the same values that we have built EG Group on," Mohsin and Zuber Issa said in a statement. The brothers, born in Blackburn in north-west England, pledged support for the long-term growth of the supermarket as they praised the chain's performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the "fundamental strength and resilience" of the business. "We believe that our experience with EG Group, including our expertise around convenience and brand partnerships and our successful partnership with TDR Capital, can help to accelerate and execute that growth strategy. "After a successful period as part of Walmart, we are looking forward to helping Asda build a differentiated business that will continue to serve customers brilliantly in communities across the UK," they said. Robert Burnley welcomed the new ownership as an exciting new chapter and committed to delivering value to customers. "In a constantly changing retailing environment, our new ownership will further enhance our resilience, whilst creating significant, additional opportunities to drive growth. For Asda colleagues, a strong and growing business is important for our long-term future," said Mr Burnley. Walmart retains an equity investment in the business with an ongoing commercial relationship and a seat on the board. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021.

Indian-origin billionaire brothers win bid to buy UK supermarket chain

A British judge said on Thursday that she would give her decision on extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to US early next year. In the US, Assange may face charges including espionage. Assange faces accuasations from US authorities of conspiring to hack government computers and violating espionage law in connection with the release of confidential cables. These cables were leaked by Wikileaks in 2010-2011.

Assange's lawyer say that the charges against the Australian-born are politically motivated. They also say that Assange's mental health is at risk and that conditions of US prisons are in violation of Britain's human rights laws. They also allege that Julian Assange and his lawyers were spied on while he was in Ecuaorian embassy in the UK.

The legal team representing the United States have countered that many of those arguments are issues which should be addressed in a trial, and have no bearing on extradition.

Judge Vanessa Baraitser told London`s Old Bailey Court at the conclusion of hearings from witnesses in the case that she would deliver her verdict on January 4.

(With Reuters inputs)

A British judge said on Thursday that she would give her decision on extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to US early next year. In the US, Assange may face charges including espionage.

A British judge said on Thursday that she would give her decision on extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to US early next year. In the US, Assange may face charges including espionage. Assange faces accuasations from US authorities of conspiring to hack government computers and violating espionage law in connection with the release of confidential cables. These cables were leaked by Wikileaks in 2010-2011. Assange's lawyer say that the charges against the Australian-born are politically motivated. They also say that Assange's mental health is at risk and that conditions of US prisons are in violation of Britain's human rights laws. They also allege that Julian Assange and his lawyers were spied on while he was in Ecuaorian embassy in the UK. The legal team representing the United States have countered that many of those arguments are issues which should be addressed in a trial, and have no bearing on extradition. Judge Vanessa Baraitser told London`s Old Bailey Court at the conclusion of hearings from witnesses in the case that she would deliver her verdict on January 4. (With Reuters inputs)

Julian Assange US extradition: UK judge to give verdict early next year

The British government tightened restrictions on socialising in parts of northeast England in response to high and increasing COVID-19 infection rates in the region.

WION Dispatch: UK govt imposes new COVID restrictions, ban on indoor meeting in Liverpool

UK is hit by COVID-19 lockdowns and its economy has suffered a record collapse of economic output in the second quarter of this year. Watch report.

UK's biggest GDF fall since 1955: Current account deficiet 0.6% of GDP

The United Kingdm has decided to impose a ban on plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers in every commercial establishment from the month of October.

As per the new rule, all sales and distribution for&nbsp;single-use plastic items will be banned, starting from October 01. This also includes ban on supplying these items to the customers in restaurants, cafes and bars.

Boris Johnson-led government has, however, added exemptions for people with special needs or the people who medically require these items.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-johnson-to-speak-on-covid-19-as-anger-mounts-towards-curbs-331392">Also read:&nbsp;UK PM Johnson to speak on COVID-19 as anger mounts towards curbs</a>

The rule has been implemented to tackle the problem of climate change and global warming — a topic due to which various small-scale protests took place in the country.

"The ban on straws, stirrers and cotton buds is just the next step in our battle against plastic pollution and our pledge to protect our ocean and the environment for future generations.

"We are already a world-leader in this global effort. Our five-pence charge on single-use plastic bags has successfully cut sales by 95% in the main supermarkets, we have banned microbeads, and we are building plans for a deposit return scheme to drive up the recycling of single-use drinks containers."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-starts-shutting-down-britain-again-as-coronavirus-spreads-329383">Also read:&nbsp;Boris Johnson starts shutting down Britain again as coronavirus spreads</a>

The ban was to come into place from April. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the UK government was unable to&nbsp; impose the ban and negatively affect the already suffering supply chain.

However, from October, it has been made illegal to hand out single-use plastic items to customers.

Pandemic waste

While the environmentalists are happy with the new rule, they worry that new threat to the environment is the new threat to the human kind — COVID-19.

Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the waste generated due to the discarded face masks and the single-use PPE kits.

The environmentalists claim that while they understand the dangers of the situation, they hope people will follow proper steps to discard the pandemic waste, rather than littering on streets or water bodies.

The United Kingdm has decided to impose a ban on plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers in every commercial establishment from the month of October. As per the new rule, all sales and distribution for single-use plastic items will be banned, starting from October 01.

The United Kingdm has decided to impose a ban on plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers in every commercial establishment from the month of October. As per the new rule, all sales and distribution for single-use plastic items will be banned, starting from October 01. This also includes ban on supplying these items to the customers in restaurants, cafes and bars. Boris Johnson-led government has, however, added exemptions for people with special needs or the people who medically require these items. Also read: UK PM Johnson to speak on COVID-19 as anger mounts towards curbs The rule has been implemented to tackle the problem of climate change and global warming — a topic due to which various small-scale protests took place in the country. "The ban on straws, stirrers and cotton buds is just the next step in our battle against plastic pollution and our pledge to protect our ocean and the environment for future generations. "We are already a world-leader in this global effort. Our five-pence charge on single-use plastic bags has successfully cut sales by 95% in the main supermarkets, we have banned microbeads, and we are building plans for a deposit return scheme to drive up the recycling of single-use drinks containers." Also read: Boris Johnson starts shutting down Britain again as coronavirus spreads The ban was to come into place from April. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the UK government was unable to impose the ban and negatively affect the already suffering supply chain. However, from October, it has been made illegal to hand out single-use plastic items to customers. Pandemic waste While the environmentalists are happy with the new rule, they worry that new threat to the environment is the new threat to the human kind — COVID-19. Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the waste generated due to the discarded face masks and the single-use PPE kits. The environmentalists claim that while they understand the dangers of the situation, they hope people will follow proper steps to discard the pandemic waste, rather than littering on streets or water bodies.

UK: Plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers banned after months of delay

The UK is trying out a distinct way to honour its Black population in view of Black History Month - it is repainting a few of its signature red postboxes!

The red pillar post boxes are considered symbolic of Britain and can be seen on an array of items including postcards.

Earlier, the Royal Mail had decided to choose a postbox each in all constituent territories of the United Kingdom - England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.&nbsp;

<h6><img alt="A pedestrian films a Royal Mail postbox, painted black instead of traditional red, to honour Black Britons, as part of the forthcoming Black History Month, in Brixton, London, Britain, September 30, 2020." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e034de18-d92e-4d3a-b868-4eeaec015df9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_109.jpg" />A pedestrian films a Royal Mail postbox, painted black instead of traditional red, to honour Black Britons, as part of the forthcoming Black History Month, in Brixton, London, Britain, September 30, 2020 | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

As visible in the pictures, the top of all postboxes are painted black with a gold rim. These shall remain this way for all of October which is marked as Black History Month.

The postbox in Britain which has been repainted is stationed nearby the Black Cultural Archives heritage centre in South London, which is a hub for the Caribbean community and other Black groups.

In Britain, the postbox features an image of “Queuing at the RA”, a painting by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, who is known for art grappling with cultural identity and the remnants of colonialism.

<h6><img alt="A pedestrian films a Royal Mail postbox, painted black instead of traditional red, to honour Black Britons, as part of the forthcoming Black History Month, in Brixton, London, Britain, September 30, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="323b16e2-3440-4ddf-8111-34d42cbcadd7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_77.jpg" />A pedestrian films a Royal Mail postbox, painted black instead of traditional red, to honour Black Britons, as part of the forthcoming Black History Month, in Brixton, London, Britain, September 30, 2020 | Reuters</h6>

&nbsp;

Scotland’s black postbox in Glasgow carries the image of Walter Tull, the first Black player to be signed in the city’s soccer team - the Rangers. He was later killed during the First World War.

Cardiff in Wales spots the image of Jamaican nurse Mary Seattle, who cared for soldiers during the Crimean War between 1853-1856.

The postbox in Northern Ireland features the picture of comedian Lenny Henry. The Royal Mail claimed that he was “instrumental in helping a multi-cultural society to embrace multi-cultural comedy".

The UK is trying out a distinct way to honour its Black population in view of Black History Month - it is repainting a few of its signature red postboxes! The red pillar post boxes are considered symbolic of Britain and can be seen on an array of items including postcards.

The UK is trying out a distinct way to honour its Black population in view of Black History Month - it is repainting a few of its signature red postboxes! The red pillar post boxes are considered symbolic of Britain and can be seen on an array of items including postcards. Earlier, the Royal Mail had decided to choose a postbox each in all constituent territories of the United Kingdom - England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. A pedestrian films a Royal Mail postbox, painted black instead of traditional red, to honour Black Britons, as part of the forthcoming Black History Month, in Brixton, London, Britain, September 30, 2020 | Reuters As visible in the pictures, the top of all postboxes are painted black with a gold rim. These shall remain this way for all of October which is marked as Black History Month. The postbox in Britain which has been repainted is stationed nearby the Black Cultural Archives heritage centre in South London, which is a hub for the Caribbean community and other Black groups. In Britain, the postbox features an image of “Queuing at the RA”, a painting by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, who is known for art grappling with cultural identity and the remnants of colonialism. A pedestrian films a Royal Mail postbox, painted black instead of traditional red, to honour Black Britons, as part of the forthcoming Black History Month, in Brixton, London, Britain, September 30, 2020 | Reuters Scotland’s black postbox in Glasgow carries the image of Walter Tull, the first Black player to be signed in the city’s soccer team - the Rangers. He was later killed during the First World War. Cardiff in Wales spots the image of Jamaican nurse Mary Seattle, who cared for soldiers during the Crimean War between 1853-1856. The postbox in Northern Ireland features the picture of comedian Lenny Henry. The Royal Mail claimed that he was “instrumental in helping a multi-cultural society to embrace multi-cultural comedy".

UK paints its signature postboxes black in honour of Black History Month

UK's first beef exports to the United States in more than 20 years left Northern Ireland on Wednesday.

This happened six months after Washington lifted a ban.

Washington imposed restrictions on all EU beef exports in 1998 due to concerns about mad cow disease but has gradually eased them as it tries to negotiate a free trade deal with Brussels. It has permitted Irish beef imports since 2015 and granted the Netherlands approval to renew its exports the following year.

Britain, which left the European Union on January 31 after the 2016 Brexit vote, received permission to restart its transatlantic beef shipments in March.&nbsp;

British herds were badly hit by mad cow disease -- officially known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) -- in the late 1980s and 1990s.

More than four million cows were slaughtered, then burned on huge pyres across the countryside, in an effort to contain the spread.

Eating infected beef can cause the degenerative brain condition variant Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (vCJD) in humans. In 2000, 24 people died in Britain from vCJD.

Also, Britain is aiming to strike a free trade deal with the United States as the country tries to take advantage of life outside the EU from 2021.

UK's first beef exports to the United States in more than 20 years left Northern Ireland on Wednesday. This happened six months after Washington lifted a ban. Washington imposed restrictions on all EU beef exports in 1998 due to concerns about mad cow disease but has gradually eased them as it tries to negotiate a free trade deal with Brussels.

UK's first beef exports to the United States in more than 20 years left Northern Ireland on Wednesday. This happened six months after Washington lifted a ban. Washington imposed restrictions on all EU beef exports in 1998 due to concerns about mad cow disease but has gradually eased them as it tries to negotiate a free trade deal with Brussels. It has permitted Irish beef imports since 2015 and granted the Netherlands approval to renew its exports the following year. Britain, which left the European Union on January 31 after the 2016 Brexit vote, received permission to restart its transatlantic beef shipments in March. British herds were badly hit by mad cow disease -- officially known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) -- in the late 1980s and 1990s. More than four million cows were slaughtered, then burned on huge pyres across the countryside, in an effort to contain the spread. Eating infected beef can cause the degenerative brain condition variant Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (vCJD) in humans. In 2000, 24 people died in Britain from vCJD. Also, Britain is aiming to strike a free trade deal with the United States as the country tries to take advantage of life outside the EU from 2021.

UK resumes US beef exports after two-decade ban lifted

The United Kingdom could soon give its spies and secret service agents 'The Licence to Kill'. Reportedly, the MI5 will be given the power to sanction its agents to carry out 'necessary and proportionate' crimes in the line of duty. What does this mean? WION's Palki Sarma has a report.

Gravitas: Licence to kill for British spies?

UK and Canada have slapped sanctions on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, his son and senior figures in the regime for a string of human rights violations.

Lukashenko and seven other individuals will be subject to an immediate travel ban and asset freeze, in response to the disputed recent elections and crackdown on protesters.

"The travel ban and asset freeze on a total of eight individuals sent a clear message to Lukashenko's violent and fraudulent regime that we don't accept the results of this rigged election," UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Tuesday.

He added, "We will hold those responsible for the thuggery deployed against the Belarussian people to account and we will stand up for our values of democracy and human rights."

Raab, who is currently on a visit to South Korea, has previously threatened sanctions against the Belarussian strongman as a result of the August 9 vote.

He has denounced what he said was the "grisly repression" of unprecedented protests over the result, and demanded an independent international investigation.

The 27-member European Union has also threatened Lukashenko's regime with sanctions, but efforts to impose them have been vetoed by Cyprus.&nbsp;

The restrictions against Lukashenko are the first against a country's leader under the new sanctions regime, and stops him from travel to the UK and Canada, or channelling money through banks.

They come as French President Emmanuel Macron promised to help with mediation in the political crisis, earning a strong rebuke from Russia's Vladimir Putin at "external pressure".

Belarus, a former Soviet republic closely allied with Russia, has been rocked by street protests since authorities said Lukashenko won an August&nbsp;9 election by a landslide.

More than 12,000 protesters have been arrested since the election that the opposition denounced as rigged.

The European Union had earlier&nbsp;said Lukashenko was not the president of Belarus.

But Russia, Belarus’s closest ally, said the EU decision not to recognise Lukashenko amounted to indirect meddling in the country.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;French President Emmanuel Macron became on Tuesday the highest-profile Western leader to visit the exiled opposition leader of Belarus, pledging European support for the country’s people.

Opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhounskaya fled to neighbouring Lithuania after the election. She has met the prime ministers of Lithuania, Norway and Poland, but Macron is the first leader of a major Western power to meet her.

“We had a very good discussion but now we need to be pragmatic and to support the Belarusian people and we will do our best, believe me”, Macron said after the 45-minute meeting at his hotel in Vilnius.

Tsikhanouskaya said Macron had promised “to do everything to help with negotiations, (during) this political crisis in our country ... and he will do everything to help to release all the political prisoners.”

Moscow has made clear it continues to back Lukashenko as leader of Russia’s closest ally. The West has had to balance its sympathy for the pro-democracy movement with its reluctance to provoke Moscow.

On Monday, Macron urged Belarus authorities to stop unlawful arrests, release protesters detained arbitrarily and respect election results.

(with inputs from agencies)

UK and Canada have slapped sanctions on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, his son and senior figures in the regime for a string of human rights violations.

UK and Canada have slapped sanctions on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, his son and senior figures in the regime for a string of human rights violations. Lukashenko and seven other individuals will be subject to an immediate travel ban and asset freeze, in response to the disputed recent elections and crackdown on protesters. "The travel ban and asset freeze on a total of eight individuals sent a clear message to Lukashenko's violent and fraudulent regime that we don't accept the results of this rigged election," UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Tuesday. He added, "We will hold those responsible for the thuggery deployed against the Belarussian people to account and we will stand up for our values of democracy and human rights." Raab, who is currently on a visit to South Korea, has previously threatened sanctions against the Belarussian strongman as a result of the August 9 vote. He has denounced what he said was the "grisly repression" of unprecedented protests over the result, and demanded an independent international investigation. The 27-member European Union has also threatened Lukashenko's regime with sanctions, but efforts to impose them have been vetoed by Cyprus. The restrictions against Lukashenko are the first against a country's leader under the new sanctions regime, and stops him from travel to the UK and Canada, or channelling money through banks. They come as French President Emmanuel Macron promised to help with mediation in the political crisis, earning a strong rebuke from Russia's Vladimir Putin at "external pressure". Belarus, a former Soviet republic closely allied with Russia, has been rocked by street protests since authorities said Lukashenko won an August 9 election by a landslide. More than 12,000 protesters have been arrested since the election that the opposition denounced as rigged. The European Union had earlier said Lukashenko was not the president of Belarus. But Russia, Belarus’s closest ally, said the EU decision not to recognise Lukashenko amounted to indirect meddling in the country. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron became on Tuesday the highest-profile Western leader to visit the exiled opposition leader of Belarus, pledging European support for the country’s people. Opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhounskaya fled to neighbouring Lithuania after the election. She has met the prime ministers of Lithuania, Norway and Poland, but Macron is the first leader of a major Western power to meet her. “We had a very good discussion but now we need to be pragmatic and to support the Belarusian people and we will do our best, believe me”, Macron said after the 45-minute meeting at his hotel in Vilnius. Tsikhanouskaya said Macron had promised “to do everything to help with negotiations, (during) this political crisis in our country ... and he will do everything to help to release all the political prisoners.” Moscow has made clear it continues to back Lukashenko as leader of Russia’s closest ally. The West has had to balance its sympathy for the pro-democracy movement with its reluctance to provoke Moscow. On Monday, Macron urged Belarus authorities to stop unlawful arrests, release protesters detained arbitrarily and respect election results. (with inputs from agencies)

UK, Canada impose sanctions on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko

WION Ground Report: UK imposes new COVID-19 restrictions

James Bond has the licence to kill, and he has never been shy to use it. In just 24 movies, 007 has killed 597 people. Real life British agents are not Bond. And they do not have the licence to kill.

A former boss of MI-5 once said, “assassination is not part of the policy of Her Majesty's government”.

But this may soon be history. The United Kingdom is mulling a new law which could arm British spies with the licence to kill, and commit necessary crimes.

What crimes?

The covert Human Intelligence Sources Bill does not explain. Reports say the idea is to take on spies, saboteurs, and hackers from countries like Russia, North Korea and Iran.

In 2019, a British court ruled that MI5 spies can kill in the line of duty, and they will not be prosecuted unless they fail to justify the killing.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/brexit-provisions-to-stay-in-internal-market-bill-as-uk-shows-no-indication-of-withdrawal-330985" hreflang="en">Brexit provisions to stay in Internal Market Bill as UK shows 'no indication' of withdrawal</a>

Human rights groups said that the move could authorise killing on British soil.

Killings by spies are brushed under the carpet, and most countries do not have laws justifying these killings.

In 2018, Australia was mulling arming its spies with the licence to kill. The CIA was given the licence to kill after 9/11 attacks.

The poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Sripal in Salisbury in 2018 was a case of Russian spies exercising their licence to kill.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/british-artist-is-painting-worlds-largest-canvas-to-raise-money-for-childrens-charities-330982" hreflang="en">British artist is painting world's largest canvas to raise money for children's charities</a>

A DailyMail report says that Israel's Mossad has killed more people than the agents of any other country since the second World War - more than 800, at least.

Are these cases of assassination or self defence? Or are the spies killing people to safeguard their country?

The licence to kill is often justified with one question - Who will guard the guardians?

James Bond has the licence to kill, and he has never been shy to use it. In just 24 movies, 007 has killed 597 people. Real life British agents are not Bond. And they do not have the licence to kill.

James Bond has the licence to kill, and he has never been shy to use it. In just 24 movies, 007 has killed 597 people. Real life British agents are not Bond. And they do not have the licence to kill. A former boss of MI-5 once said, “assassination is not part of the policy of Her Majesty's government”. But this may soon be history. The United Kingdom is mulling a new law which could arm British spies with the licence to kill, and commit necessary crimes. What crimes? The covert Human Intelligence Sources Bill does not explain. Reports say the idea is to take on spies, saboteurs, and hackers from countries like Russia, North Korea and Iran. In 2019, a British court ruled that MI5 spies can kill in the line of duty, and they will not be prosecuted unless they fail to justify the killing. Also read: Brexit provisions to stay in Internal Market Bill as UK shows 'no indication' of withdrawal Human rights groups said that the move could authorise killing on British soil. Killings by spies are brushed under the carpet, and most countries do not have laws justifying these killings. In 2018, Australia was mulling arming its spies with the licence to kill. The CIA was given the licence to kill after 9/11 attacks. The poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Sripal in Salisbury in 2018 was a case of Russian spies exercising their licence to kill. Also read: British artist is painting world's largest canvas to raise money for children's charities A DailyMail report says that Israel's Mossad has killed more people than the agents of any other country since the second World War - more than 800, at least. Are these cases of assassination or self defence? Or are the spies killing people to safeguard their country? The licence to kill is often justified with one question - Who will guard the guardians?

United Kingdom mulling a new law to give its spies licence to kill

Sri Lanka has shipped back to Britain container-loads of waste that the government said was brought into the island in violation of international laws governing the shipping of hazardous material.

Sri Lanka returns 21 containers of illegal waste to Britain

Sri Lanka has shipped back to Britain container-loads of waste that the government said was brought into the island in violation of international laws governing the shipping of hazardous material.

The 21 containers -- holding up to 260 tonnes of rubbish -- first arrived by ship in the capital Colombo's main port between September 2017 and March 2018, customs told AFP, adding that they departed Sri Lanka on Saturday.

They were meant to carry used mattresses, carpets and rugs, but had also contained hospital waste, officials said.

"The shipper had agreed to take back these 21 containers," customs spokesman Sunil Jayaratne told AFP on Sunday.

Another 242 containers from Britain, which the government said was carrying illegal garbage in violation of international law, remains abandoned at the same port and at a free trade zone outside the capital.

They arrived in 2017 and 2018.

The government is currently engaged in legal action against the shipper to have the 242 containers removed from the country.

A Sri Lankan investigation last year into nearly 3,000 tonnes of illegally imported hazardous waste found the importer had reshipped about 180 tonnes to India and Dubai in 2017 and 2018.

Several Asian countries, sick of being the wealthy world's rubbish dump, have in the past two years turned back container-loads of waste from foreign shores.

(with inputs)

Sri Lanka has shipped back to Britain container-loads of waste that the government said was brought into the island in violation of international laws governing the shipping of hazardous material. The 21 containers -- holding up to 260 tonnes of rubbish -- first arrived by ship in the capital Colombo's main port between September 2017 and March 2018, customs told AFP, adding that they departed Sri Lanka on Saturday. They were meant to carry used mattresses, carpets and rugs, but had also contained hospital waste, officials said. "The shipper had agreed to take back these 21 containers," customs spokesman Sunil Jayaratne told AFP on Sunday. Another 242 containers from Britain, which the government said was carrying illegal garbage in violation of international law, remains abandoned at the same port and at a free trade zone outside the capital. They arrived in 2017 and 2018. The government is currently engaged in legal action against the shipper to have the 242 containers removed from the country. A Sri Lankan investigation last year into nearly 3,000 tonnes of illegally imported hazardous waste found the importer had reshipped about 180 tonnes to India and Dubai in 2017 and 2018. Several Asian countries, sick of being the wealthy world's rubbish dump, have in the past two years turned back container-loads of waste from foreign shores. (with inputs)

Sri Lanka returns containers of illegal waste to Britain

An issue with England's COVID-19 smartphone app, launched to curb the spread of the virus, which meant it could not accept around a third of test results has been resolved, the government said on Sunday.

The app's official account had said on Saturday it could not link to test results taken in Public Health England laboratories, via the National Health Service or as part of a survey run by the Office for National Statistics.

"Everyone who receives a positive test result can log their result on the app," a health ministry spokesman said.

"A minority of people, such as hospital patients, who were unable to log their positive result can now request a code when contacted by NHS Test and Trace to input on their app."

An issue with England's COVID-19 smartphone app, launched to curb the spread of the virus, which meant it could not accept around a third of test results has been resolved, the government said on Sunday.

An issue with England's COVID-19 smartphone app, launched to curb the spread of the virus, which meant it could not accept around a third of test results has been resolved, the government said on Sunday. The app's official account had said on Saturday it could not link to test results taken in Public Health England laboratories, via the National Health Service or as part of a survey run by the Office for National Statistics. "Everyone who receives a positive test result can log their result on the app," a health ministry spokesman said. "A minority of people, such as hospital patients, who were unable to log their positive result can now request a code when contacted by NHS Test and Trace to input on their app."

UK says test result issue on England's COVID-19 app resolved

The United States, United Kingdom and Canada plan to impose sanctions on Belarusian individuals following what they view as a rigged election and violence against peaceful protesters.

UK, US, Canada to impose sanctions on Belarusians

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that as he set out a raft of new coronavirus restrictions for England which could last for up to six months. Watch report.

Boris Johnson announces new COVID-19 restrictions for UK

Misogyny should be made a hate crime in England and Wales, the independent body that recommends legal change said on Wednesday, as it launched a consultation on updating hate crime laws.

The Law Commission said the proposal would give women specific protection from crimes such as assault and harassment where they were targeted on the basis of their sex.

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Women's rights activists have long called for such protections, which already exist for race, religion, sexual orientation, disability and transgender identity and can lead to harsher penalties for those convicted.

"Misogyny is the soil which violence against women and girls grows in and this is our chance to tackle it," said opposition lawmaker Stella Creasy, who has campaigned for the change.

"This review is a landmark opportunity for us to develop a hate crime law which is intersectional and reflects women and girls experiences of harassment and crime," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

In a statement, she said seven police forces in Britain already treated misogyny as a hate crime, which had yielded results in tackling violence against women.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/take-action-against-modern-slavery-uk-orders-its-public-sector-329445" hreflang="en">Take action against modern slavery, UK orders its public sector</a>

The consultation, which is open to experts as well as those who have experienced hate crime, is open until December 24 and will inform final recommendations to the government to be published next year.

It will also look at expanding hate crime protections on the basis of age, and expanding the offence of racist chanting at football matches to cover homophobic chanting.

"Hate crime has no place in our society and we have seen the terrible impact that it can have on victims," said Criminal Law Commissioner Penney Lewis.

"Our proposals will ensure all protected characteristics are treated in the same way, and that women enjoy hate crime protection for the first time."

Misogyny should be made a hate crime in England and Wales, the independent body that recommends legal change said on Wednesday, as it launched a consultation on updating hate crime laws.

Misogyny should be made a hate crime in England and Wales, the independent body that recommends legal change said on Wednesday, as it launched a consultation on updating hate crime laws. The Law Commission said the proposal would give women specific protection from crimes such as assault and harassment where they were targeted on the basis of their sex. Also read: UK's Prince Harry and wife Meghan encourage Americans to vote in 'most important' election Women's rights activists have long called for such protections, which already exist for race, religion, sexual orientation, disability and transgender identity and can lead to harsher penalties for those convicted. "Misogyny is the soil which violence against women and girls grows in and this is our chance to tackle it," said opposition lawmaker Stella Creasy, who has campaigned for the change. "This review is a landmark opportunity for us to develop a hate crime law which is intersectional and reflects women and girls experiences of harassment and crime," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. In a statement, she said seven police forces in Britain already treated misogyny as a hate crime, which had yielded results in tackling violence against women. Also read: Take action against modern slavery, UK orders its public sector The consultation, which is open to experts as well as those who have experienced hate crime, is open until December 24 and will inform final recommendations to the government to be published next year. It will also look at expanding hate crime protections on the basis of age, and expanding the offence of racist chanting at football matches to cover homophobic chanting. "Hate crime has no place in our society and we have seen the terrible impact that it can have on victims," said Criminal Law Commissioner Penney Lewis. "Our proposals will ensure all protected characteristics are treated in the same way, and that women enjoy hate crime protection for the first time."

Misogyny should qualify as a hate crime, UK legal regulator says

The British government has asked public bodies to ensure they do not engage in modern slavery, as part of measures announced on Tuesday.

Starting now, all public-sector organisations that have a budget over $46 million (36 million pounds) will be required to file an annual statement highlighting their efforts to counter modern slavery.

More penalties needed

Britain’s Modern Slavery Act, 2015, requires big businesses to present such a statement. However, critics feel more penalties and compliance is needed for effectiveness.

According to Victoria Atkins, minister for safeguarding and vulnerability, no sector was "immune from the risks of modern slavery".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/wildfire-smoke-from-us-crosses-the-atlantic-ocean-seen-in-parts-of-finland-uk-329412" hreflang="en">Wildfire smoke from US crosses the Atlantic Ocean; seen in parts of Finland, UK</a>

"We expect businesses and public bodies to be open about the risks, including where they have found instances of exploitation and to demonstrate how they are taking targeted and sustained action to tackle modern slavery," Atkins claimed in a statement.

In March, the British government had published its own anti-slavery statement. It cited construction, electronics, and service providers of cooks and cleaners as the most risky sectors.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uk-upgrades-virus-alert-level-pm-johnson-set-to-announce-new-measures-329290" hreflang="en">UK upgrades virus alert level; PM Johnson set to announce new measures</a>

The statement claims how owing to complex global supply chains, “effective oversight is difficult to achieve”.

The Home Office of UK’s interior ministry is planning to launch a digital system to counter modern slavery, and to set up a single enforcement body to address employment rights.

Sara Thornton, the UK’s anti-slavery commissioner claimed that laws required to implement anti-slavery steps should be developed quickly.

The British government has asked public bodies to ensure they do not engage in modern slavery, as part of measures announced on Tuesday. Starting now, all public-sector organisations that have a budget over $46 million (36 million pounds) will be required to file an annual statement highlighting their efforts to counter modern slavery.

The British government has asked public bodies to ensure they do not engage in modern slavery, as part of measures announced on Tuesday. Starting now, all public-sector organisations that have a budget over $46 million (36 million pounds) will be required to file an annual statement highlighting their efforts to counter modern slavery. More penalties needed Britain’s Modern Slavery Act, 2015, requires big businesses to present such a statement. However, critics feel more penalties and compliance is needed for effectiveness. According to Victoria Atkins, minister for safeguarding and vulnerability, no sector was "immune from the risks of modern slavery". Also read: Wildfire smoke from US crosses the Atlantic Ocean; seen in parts of Finland, UK "We expect businesses and public bodies to be open about the risks, including where they have found instances of exploitation and to demonstrate how they are taking targeted and sustained action to tackle modern slavery," Atkins claimed in a statement. In March, the British government had published its own anti-slavery statement. It cited construction, electronics, and service providers of cooks and cleaners as the most risky sectors. Also read: UK upgrades virus alert level; PM Johnson set to announce new measures The statement claims how owing to complex global supply chains, “effective oversight is difficult to achieve”. The Home Office of UK’s interior ministry is planning to launch a digital system to counter modern slavery, and to set up a single enforcement body to address employment rights. Sara Thornton, the UK’s anti-slavery commissioner claimed that laws required to implement anti-slavery steps should be developed quickly.

Take action against modern slavery, UK orders its public sector

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