Several countries across Europe are seeing fresh surge in Covid cases after easing curbs
“If you open up too fast, a lot more people die,”said Whitty…reports Asian Lite News
England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said that “big blocks of risk are being taken” as the country’s coronavirus lockdown is being eased.
“If you open up too fast, a lot more people die,” Whitty told a group of British lawmakers on Tuesday.
“If we unlock too quickly we would get a substantial surge whilst a lot of people are not protected,” Xinhua news agency quoted the CMO as further saying.
The UK has so far confirmed a total of 4,241,858 coronavirus cases and 2,68,370. The country’s caseload and death toll is currently the fifth highest in the world.
According to the modeling data considered by the British government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), at least a further 30,000 coronavirus deaths could occur in the coming months, even under the most optimistic set of assumptions.
Professor Chris Whitty.
Its not over!
“If people think this is all over, I would encourage them to look to continental Europe where a lot of countries are going back into rates going up and having to close things down again having not been in that situation before,” Whitty told the lawmakers.
In a further warning, he said: “I think it’s very easy to forget quite how quickly things can turn bad if you don’t keep a very very close eye on it.
“If you start shunting things forward you will get these higher peaks.”
On February 22, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his long-anticipated “roadmap” to exit the lockdown, which is the third of its kind since the onset of the pandemic last year.
The reopening of schools in England on Monday was the first part of the four-step plan, which Johnson said was designed to be “cautious but irreversible”.
The accusations that the Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle raised in the Oprah Winfrey interview has created a shocking response globally.
After senior members of the British Royal family held crisis meetings, the Buckingham Palace said the issues, including that of racism”, raised by Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle during their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey were “concerning” and “taken very seriously”, the media reported.
In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the Palace said: “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.
“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
The statement was issued a day after the interview was aired in the UK on iTV on Monday night, just 24 hours after it was broadcast in the US on Sunday.
The crisis meetings took place on Monday after the Palace had been under growing pressure to respond to the interview during which Meghan accused the Royal family of being cold and racist, especially towards her and their son Archie, which pushed the couple away, the BBC reported.
Meghan said the fear for their child, for whom no security was offered by the Royal family, and the growing scrutiny also had a damaging effect on her mental health, and she claimed going through suicidal thoughts while she was pregnant.
She also spoke at length about the issue of Archie’s skin colour, saying that there were “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born”.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry in the interview said he realised how he had been “trapped” all along just like the “rest of his family”.
The Duke of Sussex also said that he felt “let down” by his father Prince Charles, adding that the Prince of Wales had stopped taking calls after the couple informed the Palace of stepping back as active members of the Royal family, before they had made the formal announcement in January 2020.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtJNAoIi3sU
The interview was watched by an average of 11.1 million people in the UK, the BBC said.
While Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not comment although the Downing Street confirmed that he had watched the interview, opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said that Meghan’s allegations about racism and a lack of mental health support should be taken “very seriously”.
Members of the Royal family are yet to make a comment.
ABHI UK said, for Britain that champions human rights, it was a travesty that the Parliament was “forced” to prioritise debate on a section of India’s farmers, reports Asian Lite News
ABHI UK —an advocacy, engagement and policy group for British Hindu and Indians — has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Keir Starmer, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Catherine Mckinnell, chair of the petitions committee expressing its reservations over the Parliament discussing the Indian farm laws.
In its letter the group said, “We write to you as a matter of concern for the British Indian community on the British Parliament being weaponised to discuss a foreign country’s issues over which Parliament has no obligation or influence and wasting taxpayer money.”
The British Parliament had held a discussion on Monday on the farm laws, which invited criticism from the Indian High Commissioner in London and the Ministry of external affairs issuing a demarche to the British envoy in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer speaks at the UK House of Commons. (UK Parliament_Jessica Taylor)
The group said, while critical e-petitions with 1.1 million signatures like ‘End child food poverty — no child should be going hungry,’ was awaiting consideration from the Petitions Committee of Parliament for over 141 days, how a petition on the Indian farm laws with less than half signatures and just a month-old plea could be heard by the Parliament.
“Thedebate on an issue (farm laws) that is currently being addressed by a democratic system, vide democratic processes many continents away – having no direct relevance to UK’s economy or the life, prosperity or health of UK citizens could be heard.”
It alleged that the UK Parliamentary system was taken hostage by “motivated interests pushing divisive, incendiary agendas in third countries.” It added that the Parliament close to ignore the plight of 4.2 million children from the poorest families in the UK.
Farm protest in India
The group added that another e-petition by Fiona Law on Cervical screening for cancer has been waiting for 48 days despite the support of 146,574 signatures.
“Every year there are around 850 cervical cancer deaths in the UK — that’s more than two every day (2016-2018 statistics). Cervical cancer is the 19th most common cause of cancer death in the UK. The pandemic caused hundreds of more vulnerable women to delay testing. Is the issue of preventable deaths of women (99.8% of cervical cancers if detected on time are preventable) also not regarded as a priority?” the letter asked.
The group added that for Britain that champions human rights, it was a travesty that the Parliament was “forced” to prioritise debate on a section of India’s farmers. “At the same time, existential issues about its citizens are relegated. We urge you to rigorously review the Petitions Parliament committee’s current functioning and prioritise issues over which the British Parliament can legislate and make sure to get a range of evidence from different opinions,” the letter said.
Nazir Ahmed, former Lord at the British parliament, and his two elder brothers had been on trial at Sheffield Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting two children in Rotherham in the late 1960s and early 1970s … reports Asian Lite News
The Sheffield Crown Court has granted unconditional bail to former Rotherham peer Nazir Ahmed and his two brothers in a historic sexual abuse case as the Crown Prosecution Service challenges its decision to throw out a historic case against them.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it will challenge Judge Jeremy Richardson’s decision to halt the trial after the lapses by the prosecution. The judge dissolved the jury team after four days of trial.
The judge was too critical of the prosecution and said the case should be thrown out due to the CPS’s failure to serve evidence on the defence in time.
Barrister Tom Little represented the CPS. The CPS decision to challenge the court decision makes Nazir Ahmed and his brothers could face another trial in the future, probably in 2022.
Judge Richardson had branded prosecutors as “shameful” for serving “a heap of material” on the defence during the proceedings and “sabotaging” the trial.
Ahmed had been on trial at Sheffield Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting two children in Rotherham in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Judge Richardson stopped the trial after two days of evidence had been heard and discharged the jury after the series of late disclosures by the prosecution. He sought to permanently stay the indictment, which meant the case could not go to a re-trial, at a hearing on Monday after branding the prosecution “disgraceful” over its failure to provide all the evidence to the defence well in advance of the trial.
The judge said the prosecution took 13 months to disclose evidence to Lord Nazir and his brothers.
He said if he listened to the request of the prosecution to order a retrial then “the complainants may feel cheated and the public may demand that justice is done”.
The judge described the situation as a “comprehensive mess” and “shameful”.
Ahmed (63), of East Bawtry Road, Rotherham, was accused of sexually assaulting a boy between 1971 and 1972 and of attempting to rape a girl between 1973 and 1974. The former Rotherham councillor faced counts of buggery, indecent assault and two counts of attempted rape. His brothers, Mohammed Farouq and Mohammed Tariq, were accused of assaulting the same boy, but had been ruled unfit to plead and faced a trial of the facts. Tariq (65), of Gerard Road, Rotherham, faced two counts of indecent assault between 1968 and 1972 and Farouq (70), of Worrygoose Lane, Rotherham, faced four counts of indecent assault between 1970 and 1972.
As millions of children returned to classrooms across England, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the increased risk of coronavirus transmission is “inevitable”.
“We do accept, of course, there will be increased risk of transmission, that’s inevitable,” Johnson said at a press briefing at Downing Street on Monday.
But he added that “the greater risk is keeping children out of school longer”, reports Xinhua news agency.
As part of Johnson’s long-anticipated “roadmap” to exit the lockdown, schools reopened on Monday morning
The reopening of schools is the first part of the four-step plan, which Johnson said on February 22 was designed to be “cautious but irreversible”.
Under the guidance, two people are allowed for recreation in an outdoor public space such as a park, which means they would be allowed to sit down for a coffee, drink or picnic.
England is expected to see all legal social restrictions being removed from June 21.
At Monday’s briefing, Johnson said the government can take the first step of easing lockdown with “confidence” because a third of the entire British population has now been vaccinated.
“At all times, we will be driven by the data,” he added.
Joining Johnson at the briefing, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Jenny Harries acknowledged the impact of opening schools on the virus transmission.
“We do expect there to be an impact on R, but education is of critical public health importance,” she said, referring to the coronavirus reproduction number.
More than 22.3 million people in Britain have been given the first jab of a coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures.
Still, Johnson urged continued vigilance with the public as infections remain high.
“With the number of patients being admitted to hospital with Covid still eight times higher than the lows of last summer, it’s more vital than ever to follow the rules.”
India on Tuesday called in the British High Commissioner to express its disapproval of the discussions on farmers’ protest and press freedom in the British parliament, reports Asian Lite News
India on Tuesday called in the British High Commissioner to express its disapproval of the discussions on farmers’ protest and press freedom in the British parliament. The 90-minute debate was held on Monday, during which several MPs of the Labour party, Liberal democrats and the Scottish National Party raised concern over the government’s reaction to the protests.
The UK government had responded that concerns will be raised with India when both Prime Ministers meet in person.
The Foreign Secretary made clear that the discussion in the British Parliament represented a “gross interference in the politics of another democratic country.” He advised that British MPs should refrain from practising vote bank politics by misrepresenting events, especially in relation to another fellow democracy.
In December 2020, the government had issued a similar demarche to the Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel.
‘Unacceptable interference in internal affairs’
“The Canadian High Commissioner was ..informed that comments by the Canadian Prime Minister, some Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament on issues relating to Indian farmers constitute an unacceptable interference in our internal affairs. Such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada,” the Ministry of External Affairs had said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, the India Indian High Commission in London had criticised Britain for the debate. “We deeply regret that rather than a balanced debate, false assertions — without substantiation or facts — were made, casting aspersions on the largest functioning democracy in the world and its institutions. Foreign media, including the British media, are present in India and have witnessed the events under discussion first-hand. The question of lack of freedom of the media in India does not arise,” the High Commission said in a statement.
The UK government responded saying, “The concerns will be raised with India when both Prime Ministers meet in person.”
The debate was a response to a petition initiated by Maidenhead Liberal Democrat leader Gurch Singh of Indian origin. The petition received signatures from over a lakh Britishers within weeks.
“All issues raised are the remit of well-established independent democratic institutions in India for addressing the same. It is also a matter of concern that, once again, comments were made to mislead the British Indian community, raising doubts about treatment of minorities in India, alleged human rights violations in ‘Kashmir’ etc,” the Indian High Commission in London said.
Participating in the debate, Robert John Blackman, Conservative Party MP from Harrow East said the farming laws are an issue for the Central and state governments in India to debate and decide. “It is not for the United Kingdom to make comment on, discuss or instruct the Indian government and people of India on what they should do. Many MPs today have spoken in complete ignorance of what is actually going on. The new farming laws are a result of 20 years of negotiations covering many different Indian governments. It is clear that the new farm laws will benefit small farmers and those on low farm incomes,” Blackman said.
The eminent doctor and academic was conferred with ‘Citizen of Honour’ award by the historic port city of Liverpool … reports Asian Lite News
Professor Dr. Shiv Pande, Indian-origin British doctor, has become the first Asian to be made a ‘Citizen of Honour’ by the historic port city of Liverpool.
A ‘Citizen of Honour’ recognition is extended to individuals who have made “significant, exceptional or unique contributions to enrich the image of Liverpool and/or its citizens”.
Dr. Pande, who was previously made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in the UK’s honours list, has been a distinguished resident of Liverpool for 49 years. In 1999, he became the first ever ethnic minority person to be elected Treasurer of the British General Medical Council.
Professor Dr. Shiv Pande,(Wikipedia)
Liverpool is one of Britain’s most prominent and high achieving cities. It is the city of four time 19th century British Prime Minister William Gladstone, the singing sensations The Beatles and Liverpool and Everton football clubs. It is also noted for being a progressive and internationally oriented city. It bestowed a ‘Freedom of the City’ award to South African freedom fighter and President Nelson Mandela.
Dr Pande said: “I am honoured to be made a ‘Citizen of Honour’ by the City of Liverpool, which has been my home for nearly half a century. It is deeply gratifying to be recognised for my work. I thank the City Council for selecting me”.
Dr Pande is a visiting professor at University of Bolton and Gauhati University, Assam. Besides that, he also working as Hon Fellow- University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) , Preston U.K. and British International Doctors Association-BIDA (formerly Overseas Doctors Association ODA). A regular columnist at prominent newspapers including Asian Lite, Dr Pande was served as treasurer of Indian Journalists Association.
Liverpool is one of Britain’s most prominent and high achieving cities. It is the city of four time 19th century British Prime Minister William Gladstone, the singing sensations The Beatles and Liverpool and Everton football clubs. It is also noted for being a progressive and internationally oriented city. It bestowed a ‘Freedom of the City’ award to South African freedom fighter and President Nelson Mandela.
“The High Commission of India would normally refrain from commenting on an internal discussion involving a small group of Honourable Parliamentarians in a limited quorum. However, when aspersions are cast on India by anyone, irrespective of their claims of friendship and love for India or domestic political compulsions, there is a need to set the record straight.” A special report by Asian Lite Newsdesk
Indian High Commission in London on Tuesday criticised Britain for a debate held in the Parliament to on “safety of farmers” and “press freedom” in India.
“We deeply regret that rather than a balanced debate, false assertions — without substantiation or facts — were made, casting aspersions on the largest functioning democracy in the world and its institutions. Foreign media, including the British media, are present in India and have witnessed the events under discussion first-hand. The question of lack of freedom of the media in India does not arise,” the High Commission said in a statement.
On Monday, the British parliament debated for 90 minutes the issue of “safety of farmers” amidst several Labour Party MPs, Liberal democrats and the Scottish National Party raising concerns over the Indian government’s reaction to the protests.
The UK government responded saying, “The concerns will be raised with India when both Prime Ministers meet in person.”
The debate was a response to a petition initiated by Maidenhead Liberal Democrat leader Gurch Singh of Indian origin. The petition received signatures from over a lakh Britishers within weeks.
“All issues raised are the remit of well-established independent democratic institutions in India for addressing the same. It is also a matter of concern that, once again, comments were made to mislead the British Indian community, raising doubts about treatment of minorities in India, alleged human rights violations in ‘Kashmir’ etc,” the Indian High Commission in London said.
Robert John Blackman (Wikipedia)
Robert John Blackman, Conservative Party MP from Harrow East, in a video message said the farming laws are an issue for the Central and state governments in India to debate and decide. “It is not for the United Kingdom to make comment on, discuss or instruct the Indian government and people of India on what they should do. Many MPs today have spoken in complete ignorance of what is actually going on. The new farming laws are a result of 20 years of negotiations covering many different Indian governments. It is clear that the new farm laws will benefit small farmers and those on low farm incomes,” Blackman said.
Meanwhile, opening the debate, Scottish National Party’s Martin Day said, “The UK government has already stated that the farm reforms are a matter for the Indian government’s decision. So we are not debating the reforms now. We are debating for the safety of the protesters. Water canons and tear gas and repeated clashes between police and farmers and interruption in internet connectivity have been matters of concern. Several farmers have reportedly committed suicide.”
In a response to several opposition MPs raising concerns over safety of farmers and journalists in India, UK Minister of State for Asia Nigel Adams said Britain’s “close ties with India doesn’t hinder the nation from raising concerns”.
Participating in the debate, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said, “The unprecedented protests should make one think about why so many are turning up. The arrests of journalists is a matter of serious concern.”
Corbyn (Wikipedia)
Conservative MP Theresa Villiers, however, shared support for the Indian government’s response. “We receive complaints against policemen here in the UK too when there are mass protests. That doesn’t mean the UK is against democracy.” she said.
In its statement, the Indian High Commission stressed: “The High Commission of India would normally refrain from commenting on an internal discussion involving a small group of Honourable Parliamentarians in a limited quorum. However, when aspersions are cast on India by anyone, irrespective of their claims of friendship and love for India or domestic political compulsions, there is a need to set the record straight.”
Kishan Devani BEM signed by renowned Literary Agent David H Headley to write his memoir… reports Asian Lite News
Kishan Devani BEM, FRSA has been signed by renowned Literary Agent David H Headley to pen his Memoir.
Kishan, 36, expressed his delight to be able to write his memoir at such a young age, which he hopes will inspire BAME and disadvantaged communities across the globe to aspire and achieve whatever they wish, whatever circumstances they may or may not be in.
As the son of Ugandan Asian refugees, his memoir will speak of the trials, tribulations, successes, and failures of life and how grit, determination, dedication, passion and faith brought him through.
The memoir will encompass pertinent topics which have a part of Kishan’s life, from Politics, Education to his strong Hindu Faith, Arranged Marriages to Queen’s Honours and from Parental Divorce to IVF – the Book promises to be exhilarating, inspirational and profoundly pertinent.
A book to inspire others to break through the glass celing, see no boundaries and continually strive to achieve regardless of your background or circumstances. It promises to be a cracking read for all.
Kishan Devani BEM, FRSA and David H Headley
David H Headley has spent the last 21 years establishing Goldsboro Books and building good relationships with editors within the UK’s major publishing houses. He has a good eye for what readers want to read and he has gained a reputation for championing debut authors.
David expressed his delight in welcoming Kishan.
“I am delighted to welcome Kishan to DHH and can’t wait to share his extraordinary and inspiring story with others,” he said.
David created the UK’s largest collectors’ book club and is influential in selling large quantities of hardback fiction in the UK. David has won awards for bookselling and in 2015 and 2020, he was included in the Top 100 most influential people in publishing by The Bookseller.
David is the managing director of the D H H Literary Agency which he founded in 2008 and represents an eclectic range of best-selling and award-winning authors.
A British soldier from the Welsh Guards was accidentally shot dead during a live firing exercise, media reports said.
Sergeant Gavin Hillier, 35, was shot on Thursday during a night-time training exercise, Xinhua news agency quoted Times newspaper as saying in a report on Saturday.
Hillier, from Pontypool, served in the regiment’s motor transport platoon and was due to go Iraq this summer, the Evening Standard newspaper said.
The report adding that he had served in Iraq and Afghanistan in the past.
He was killed at the gunnery ranges at the Castlemartin training area in the Pembrokeshire coast national park.
An army spokesperson said: “The circumstances surrounding this death are being investigated and it would be inappropriate to comment any further.”
Previous incidents at the Castlemartin ranges have claimed the lives of soldiers.
In 2017, Corporals Matthew Hatfield and Darren Neilson of the Royal Tank Regiment died from injuries they suffered after their tank exploded during a training exercise on a firing range.
A 21-year-old soldier, Michael “Mike” Maguire, died at Castlemartin in 2012 after being shot in the head while relaxing at a safe location just outside the training range.
A 2013 inquest into his death heard he was hit in the temple by a single machine gun bullet fired by a fellow soldier during a training exercise.
The inquest jury ruled Maguire, who was a member of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, had been unlawfully killed.
