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Johnson to call on G7 to step up support for Afghans

Boris Johnson will chair the G7 meeting and is expected to ask the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US to match the UK’s commitment to relocate 20,000 Afghan refugees and contribute $392 million in humanitarian aid amid the crisis in the region, reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to call on the Group of Seven (G7) leaders to step up their support for the Afghan people at the group’s emergency meeting on Afghanistan.
Leaders of the G7 will meet through video conferencing on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing situation in Afghanistan. British prime minister will chair the meeting and is expected to ask the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US to match the UK’s commitment to relocate 20,000 Afghan refugees and contribute USD 392 million in humanitarian aid amid the crisis in the region.

“Our first priority is to complete the evacuation of our citizens and those Afghans who have assisted our efforts over the last 20 years – but as we look ahead to the next phase, it’s vital we come together as an international community and agree a joint approach for the longer term,” said Johnson ahead of the meeting.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also set to participate in Tuesday’s G7 meeting on Afghanistan.
“The Secretary-General has been invited to participate in the G7 special virtual summit on Afghanistan,” the United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday.
“His message will be focused on the need for unity in the international community as we keep the interests of the Afghan people front and center.”
Besides G7, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, UK’s Minister for Human Rights, and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, will virtually address the UN Human Rights Council and hold urgent discussions with humanitarian partners about the situation in Afghanistan.
The UK’s Minister for Human Rights will make a statement on Tuesday morning at an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council focusing on Afghanistan.
The Taliban entered Kabul last week after a lightning offensive which resulted in the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani government. Since the Taliban’s ascent to power, thousands of Afghans are seeking to exit the country for fear of reprisals from the terrorist group.


‘Hours not weeks’ for final UK flights

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the UK has “hours now, not weeks” to evacuate people from Afghanistan, the BBC reported.
He said troops would leave Kabul’s airport when the US withdrew, which is due to happen on 31 August.
“I don’t think there is any likelihood of staying on after the United States,” Wallace said. “We are really down to hours now, not weeks. We have to make sure we exploit every minute to get people out.”
But Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said it would not support a deadline extension. He said an extension would mean extending Afghanistan’s occupation, and warned of consequences if that were to change.
The Ministry of Defence said 7,109 individuals had been evacuated from Afghanistan on UK flights since 13 August.
Boris Johnson had spoken to US President Joe Biden, before G7 summit, saying they had “committed to driving international action” to “stabilise the situation”.
They also agreed to continue working together to ensure that people eligible to leave can do so “including after the initial phase of the evacuation has ended”.
Earlier, No 10 said the UK would continue its evacuation process “as long as the security situation allows”
No-fly evacuee flown to UK

A person from Afghanistan on the UK’s no-fly watchlist was flown into Birmingham as part of the evacuation of Kabul, government officials confirmed, according to reports.
The individual, who was identified as being on the watchlist on arrival in the UK, was later not deemed a person of interest after investigation, the BBC reported.
The Home Office said the person was flagged in a “rigorous checks process”.

ALSO READ-Balochistan blast kills Pak Army captain

READ MORE-Report of American citizens beaten up by Taliban embarrasses Biden

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Johnson faces anger of MPs over response to Afghanistan

Speaking to a packed chamber — the first sitting without social distancing since March 2020 — Johnson said “the sacrifice in Afghanistan is seared into our national consciousness”, reports Asian Lite News

Boris Johnson faced a furious House of Commons on Wednesday as the prime minister was sharply criticised by MPs from all parties, including several former soldiers, over the UK’s response to the Afghanistan crisis.

Parliamentarians briefly returned from their summer recess for a debate on the Taliban’s rapid takeover. Speaking to a packed chamber — the first sitting without social distancing since March 2020 — Johnson said “the sacrifice in Afghanistan is seared into our national consciousness”.

“The events in Afghanistan have unfolded and the collapse has been faster than even the Taliban themselves predicted,” he said. “What is not true is to say the UK government was unprepared or did not foresee this: it was certainly part of our planning.”

Theresa May, the former prime minister, was one of several Conservative MPs to criticise the Johnson government. She questioned why it had been caught off guard by the Taliban’s rapid gains.

“Was our intelligence really so poor, was our understanding of the Afghan government so weak, our knowledge of the position on the ground so inadequate? Or did we just feel we had to follow the US and hope that on a wing and a prayer it would be all right on the night,” she said.

May also warned that the collapse of the Afghan government was “a major setback for British foreign policy”. She added: “We talk of global Britain. Where is global Britain on the streets of Kabul? We will be judged on our deeds, not our words.”

Johnson said the new regime should not be recognised “prematurely or bilaterally” by western countries. “We will judge this regime on the choices it makes and by its actions rather than its words — on its attitude to terror, to crime and narcotics, as well as humanitarian access and the rights of girls to receive an education.”

He also defended the UK’s historical involvement in the Afghan conflict: “Al-Qaeda plots against this country were foiled because our serving men and women were there, and no successful terrorist attacks against the west have been mounted from Afghan soil for two decades.”

Several powerful speeches were delivered by former soldiers now serving as MPs. Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative MP and chair of the foreign affairs select committee, was greeted with a rare round of applause across the chamber following a powerful speech.

“This doesn’t need to be defeat, but at the moment it damn well feels like it,” he told MPs. “Like many veterans, this last week has been one that has seen me struggle through anger, grief and rage.”

Tugendhat recalled his time serving in Afghanistan. “I’ve watched good men go into the earth, taking with them a part of me, a part of all of us. This week has torn open some of those wounds and left them raw, left them hurting.”

Dan Jarvis, Labour MP for Barnsley Central who served in Helmand province, expressed concern for the defeated Afghan army. “They were our brothers-in-arms. I shudder to think where those men are now. Many will be dead. Others I know consider themselves to be dead men walking. Where were we in their hour of need? Nowhere.”

Afghan security force members set on a military vehicle during a military operation in Jawzjan province, Afghanistan (XinhuaMohammad Jan AriaIANS)

Johnny Mercer, a Tory MP and former defence minister, warned Johnson he “must not wriggle out” of commitments he made to veterans. “The prime minister has consistently failed to do what he said he would do when he was trying to become prime minister.”

Tobias Ellwood, chair of the defence select committee, called on the government to hold an inquiry into the collapse of the Afghan regime under President Ashraf Ghani, who fled Afghanistan at the weekend. “We are ceding back the country to the very insurgency we went to defeat in the first place,” he warned.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab closed the debate, telling MPs that 646 further people had been evacuated by the UK over the last 24 hours. He also defended the government’s resettlement programme from critics who said it was not ambitious enough. “I am deeply proud that this government is continuing the big-hearted tradition of the British people in offering a safe haven to those fleeing from persecution.”

Sir Keir Starmer, the opposition Labour party leader, called on Johnson to “snap out of his complacency” and described remarks by defence secretary Ben Wallace that not everyone could be brought home as “unconscionable”.

Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer described Johnson’s judgment on Afghanistan as “appalling” and said “the lack of planning” for the withdrawal of allied troops was “unforgivable”. “Everything we have achieved in the last 20 years is now under threat,” he said.

The opposition leader also criticised the foreign secretary for taking a holiday last weekend as the situation in Afghanistan worsened. “You cannot co-ordinate an international response from a beach,” Starmer said.

ALSO READ-UK to accept 20k Afghan refugees

READ MORE-Johnson, Biden agree on G7 meet over Afghanistan

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Johnson, Biden agree on G7 meet over Afghanistan

The Prime Minister outlined UK plans including increased humanitarian aid to the region and resettlement of refugees…reports Asian Lite News.

In his first call with a foreign leader since the Taliban took control of Kabul, US President Joe Biden has spoken with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and discussed the need for continued close coordination among allies and democratic partners on Afghanistan.

The two agreed to have a virtual meeting with G7 leaders next week to discuss a common strategy and approach.

“President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke today regarding developments in Afghanistan. They commended the bravery and professionalism of their military and civilian personnel, who are working shoulder to shoulder in Kabul on the evacuation of their citizens and Afghan nationals who assisted in the war effort,” the White House’s statement read.

“They also discussed the need for continued close coordination among allies and democratic partners on Afghanistan policy going forward, including ways the global community can provide further humanitarian assistance and support for refugees and other vulnerable Afghans. They agreed to hold a virtual G7 leaders’ meeting next week to discuss a common strategy and approach,” it added.

According to a statement issued by UK Prime Minister’s Office, Boris Johnson stressed the importance of not losing the gains made in Afghanistan over the last 20 years during the phone call with Biden.

Taliban Rep Image (ANI)

The Prime Minister outlined UK plans including increased humanitarian aid to the region and resettlement of refugees.

Afghanistan descended into chaos after the Taliban took control of the capital city, Kabul and the government led by President Ashraf Ghani collapsed. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Jaishankar, Estonia counterpart exchange views on Afghan crisis

READ MORE-US intel predicted Afghan military collapse, despite Biden’s assurances

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Johnson scraps amber watch-list plan amid chaos

The government had been considering the idea of a new level in the government’s traffic light system for overseas travel, ahead of the next review this week, it reported…reports Asian Lite News.

The UK government has abandoned a proposal to create an “amber watch-list” of countries at risk of moving to red in the travel traffic light system, media reported.

The latest move comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he wanted a “simple” and “balanced approach” to pandemic travel, the BBC reported.

The sources in the government told BBC that no new categories would now be added. The opposition lawmakers and travel industry figures earlier warned a complex system risked putting people off from travelling.

The government had been considering the idea of a new level in the government’s traffic light system for overseas travel, ahead of the next review this week, it reported.

It would have warned people when a destination was at risk of a sudden shift from amber to red – meaning that travel would be banned for everyone except UK nationals and residents, who would be required to quarantine in a hotel on their return.

Meanwhile, UK has reported another 21,952 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 5,902,354, according to official figures released Monday.

The country also recorded another 24 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 129,743. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

Fewer contacts to isolate

Fewer contacts of people with Covid-19 will be told to isolate by the NHS (National Health Service) Test and Trace app after an update, Sky News reported on Monday.

It will now only look back at contacts two days before someone tests positive, as opposed to five days of contacts the app was tracking before, according to the report.

While this will not impact the sensitivity of the app, the change will mean fewer people who were in contact with a person when they were unlikely to be at the peak of their infectiousness will be told to self-isolate, according to the government.

“We want to reduce the disruption that self-isolation can cause for people and businesses, while ensuring we’re protecting those most at risk from this virus,” Health Secretary Sajid Javid said. “This update to the app will help ensure that we are striking the right balance.”

“It’s so important that people isolate when asked to do so in order to stop the spread of the virus and protect their communities,” he added.

The latest development came as supermarkets, emergency services, public transport and postal deliveries had all been hit by staff shortages due to a record number of people told to isolate by the app.

New analysis shows the app reduces the spread of COVID-19 by around 4.3% each week, and for every 200-250 tests entered and shared in the app one person is prevented from being hospitalised from the virus.

Usage remains high, with around 40% of the eligible population regularly using the app and around 50% of all reported tests being inputted.

England recently lifted most Covid-19 restrictions as part of the final step of the roadmap out of the lockdown. Scientists have warned that lifting all restrictions at this stage could increase likelihood of dangerous variants.

More than 88 per cent of adults in Britain have received the first jab of Covid-19 vaccine and more than 72 per cent have received two doses, according to the latest figures.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the US as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

ALSO READ-HK, Taiwan added to England’s green travel list

READ MORE-Vaccinated amber-list travellers could skip quarantine

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Johnson set to welcome Merkel for final UK visit

The Chancellor will also address a virtual meeting of the British Cabinet – the first foreign leader to do so since President Bill Clinton addressed Cabinet in 1997, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is set to make her final official visit to the UK on Friday for talks with the prime minister before she steps down from her post later this year.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the German Chancellor will discuss Covid travel restrictions, trade and post-Brexit relations, the BBC reported.

The meeting will take place at the prime minister’s country residence of Chequers, in Buckinghamshire.

The Chancellor will also address a virtual meeting of the British Cabinet – the first foreign leader to do so since President Bill Clinton addressed Cabinet in 1997. Merkel will later visit the Queen at Windsor Castle.

Johnson is expected to announce the creation of an annual £10,000 award for a UK or Germany-based female scientist who has excelled in the field of astrophysics. The medal will be named after Caroline Herschel, a German-born British astrophysicist who was a pioneer in the field.

Chancellor Merkel is herself a scientist by training. She was honoured in 2010 by the Royal Society with the King Charles II Medal, which is awarded to foreign Heads of State or Government who have made an outstanding contribution to furthering scientific research in their country.

“The UK and Germany have a steadfast friendship and a shared outlook on many issues. Our scientists, innovators and industrialists work together every day to make the world a better place,” Johnson, speaking ahead of Merkel’s visit, said.

“Over the 16 years of Chancellor Merkel’s tenure the UK-Germany relationship has been re-energised and re-invigorated for a new era. And the new joint ventures we will agree today will leave a legacy that will last for generations,” he added.

This will be Merkel’s 22nd visit to the UK since taking office in 2005 and is one of a series of farewell trips, with US President Joe Biden among those expected to host her later in the summer, according to BBC report.

Merkel is thought to want to ban all UK tourists from entering the European Union because of concerns over the Delta Covid variant.

Johnson is expected to announce the latest steps towards ending lockdown in England over the next few days, with international travel high on the agenda.

In contrast to Merkel, he said on Thursday that double vaccinations could be a “liberator” as millions of people plan their summer break.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson chairs a Bilateral with the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel at the G7 Leaders Summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street

Also, Johnson and Merkel are expected to agree a number of new initiatives to expand the links between the UK and Germany across a range of sectors.

It include annual joint meetings of the UK and German Cabinets. This will be the first arrangement of its kind for the UK and an opportunity to share expertise and expand joint working between the governments.

It will also include the establishment of a new UK-German Cultural Dialogue which will meet annually to bring together cultural figures from both the countries and create new opportunities for talented young people.

ALSO READ-Boris delays end of lockdown in UK

READ MORE-Boris rules out Wuhan lab leak theory

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Johnson in quest for new Covid medicines

Boris Johnson(IANS)

“The success of our vaccination program has demonstrated what the UK can achieve when we bring together our brightest minds,”said Boris Johnson…reports Asian Lite News

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday announced a new taskforce to find “promising new medicines” to treat coronavirus.

Under the government plans, Britons who test positive for Covid-19 or are exposed to the virus could be sent antiviral tablets or capsules, to take at home as early as autumn this year, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The success of our vaccination program has demonstrated what the UK can achieve when we bring together our brightest minds,” the prime minister said at a Downing Street press briefing.

“Our new Antivirals Taskforce will seek to develop innovative treatments you can take at home to stop Covid-19 in its tracks,” he said.

“These could provide another vital defense against any future increase in infections and save more lives,” he added.

The new taskforce is modeled on the Vaccines Taskforce which was responsible for securing Britain’s supply of vaccines.

Also read:UK PM calls off India visit

According to the British government’s Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance, antiviral drugs “could help protect those not protected by or ineligible for vaccines. They could also be another layer of defense in the face of new variants of concern.”

Meanwhile, Johnson said as Britain is continuing to make progress in the fight against coronavirus, “we cannot delude ourselves” that the virus has gone away.

He noted that the majority of scientific experts are of the view that there will be another wave at some stage this year and Britons must learn to live with the virus.

However, he said there was nothing in scientific data to suggest Britain would have to deviate from the roadmap out of lockdown.

In England, all shops reopened from April 12, along with hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services.

Also read:Covid surge: India on UK’s red list

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Indian diaspora seek action against Hindu hatred

The letter reads that incident will have a detrimental impact on Indian students if the Oxford University and Thames Valley Police do not seem to take any decisive actions…reports Asian Lite News

More than hundred Indian diaspora organisations across the country jointly issued a letter to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson over concerns related to lack of action by the Oxford University towards Hindu hatred promoted by its faculty member.

Dr Abhijit Sarkar, a faculty member, instigated hate-filled trolls on social media against Rashmi Samant who was the first Indian female to be elected President of Oxford Student Union.

Dr Sarkar’s continuous attack on Rashmi and her family on social media for their Hindu faith, forced her to resign and led her to finally leave the country, says the letter.

Hindu Hatred in Oxford University(Twitter)

The jointly issued letter which was signed by 119 organisations also called for suspension of Dr Sarkar with immediate effect and expulsion after a thorough Police investigation for hate crime.

It is noted that Dr Sarkar’s posts reflect his racist and bigoted views with multiple misogynistic and sexualised comments including gender slurs to various women on social media.

The British Indian diaspora urged Home Office to review his visa status in view of his racist and hateful actions on social media.

The signatories are Hindu Council UK, Hindu Forum of Europe, National Council of Hindu Temples, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK), National Council of Hindu Priests,Vishwa Hindu Parishad (UK),Nepali Hindu Forum UK, Shree Swaminarayan Temple Cardiff, Friends of India Society International (FISI) UK, Global Kashmiri Pandit diaspora (UK), Indians in London Group (IIL), Hindu Lawyers Association, Global Hindu Federation Ltd, Nepali Shiva Mandir Aldershot, National Hindu Students’ Forum (UK), Akshay Patra Foundation (UK), Hindu Forum Nottingham, Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society, London, Gurudwara Miri Piri, Southall, Dr. Ambedkar UK Mission (AUM), Voice of Dogras (UK), Overseas Hindu Malayalee UK (OHM UK), British Hindu Voice, Gurudwara Ramgarhia Sabha, Southall, Kannadigaru UK, Hindu Punjabi Sabha of Leeds, REACH India, and Inspiring Indian Women (IIW)

Hindu Hatred in Oxford University(Twitter)


Hindu International Medical Mission, Hinduism Worldwide Inc
,Shree Ram Mandir Birmingham, Uttar Pradesh Community Association (UPCA), UK , South Asian Performing Art (SAPAC) UK
, Shree Sanatan Mandir Leicester, UK Telugu Hindu Organisation (UTHO), Hindu Samaj Swindon, International Center for Cultural Studies (UK) , Hindu Mandir and Community Centre Nottingham
, Jammu Kashmir Study Center, UK , Hindu Temple Nottingham
, All County Kannada Association UK , Vichaar Manthan UK
, India Welfare Society, London , Advocacy for British Hindus & Indians (ABHI) UK , International Dogra Society , Indian National Students Association (INSA) UK , Kannada Balaga Swindon
, Jeevan Organ Trust UK , Leuva Patidar Samaj Yorkshire
, Karunadina Anivasi Hindugala Okkoota (KAHO) UK , Hindu Cultural Society of Bradford , The British Hindu Press Association , Abhishekam Group , KAVITA Community Org, Ireland, Leeds Mahila Mandal , India Knowledge Consortium (INK) UK , Basingstoke Hindu Society , Namaste Elderly Group of Leeds , Mata Da Mandir (Hindu Cultural Association Dudley) , Ram Mandir Southall , National Association of Patidar Samaj , Newcastle Hindu Temple , Param Shakti Peeth of UK , Rajasthan Association UK , Northeast India Cultural Committee of UK , Overseas Friends of BJP UK , Slough Mitra Mandal , NaMo Namah Foundation UK , Leeds Pragati Mandal , Shree Krishna Mandir, Leamington Spa , Rajasthani Roots UK , Pranyog Yoga centre
, Shree Krishna Temple, Dudley , SwIndians , Telugu Association of Basingstoke (TAB UK) , Shree Bharatiya Mandal-Indian Association (Tameside) , VHP Temple Bolton , Sangamam UK, Shree Prajapati Association U.K , Shree Hindu Community Centre
and Sai Dham (Nottingham).

Lord Rama Krishna Temple, Warrington, Shiv Westminster, The Shivalyh, Derby Kannadigaru , Bihari Connect UK, Durga Bhajan Mandali, Birmingham , Derby Hindus , Hindu Council (Brent) , Anoopam Mission UK , Haryana In UK Association
, Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangha , Bhagwati Shakti Peeth , Bharat Hindu Samaj Peterborough, Bihari Community, Gita Foundation
, Hindu Sevikas Samiti UK, Indian Ekta, Kent Telugu Community (KTC) , Life in London Trust , Luitporia Nasoni North East
, Shree Navdurga Association UK , National Hindu Welfare Support (NHWS) , Shree Kalyan Mandal, Rugby , South London Hanuman Chalisa Group, Telangana Development Forum, South Indian Association UK, The Indian Association Cheltenham (Glos)
, UK Indian Business Network (UKIBN), Vaso Nagrik Mandal (UK)
, Upton Hindu Community Association, Vande Mataram, Yog-Kulam
, Wellingborough District Hindu Association, Warangal NRI forum UK Ltd, Royal Sutton Indians, Midlands Marathi Association
, INSIGHT UK, Nottingham Kannadigaru, Shree Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple and Bradford

Also read:UK on track to inoculate all adult by July

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UK to ease lockdown next week

Boris Johnson(IANS)

The statement came as the Prime Minister was speaking at a virtual Downing Street press conference to give an update on his government’s anti-coronavirus plan…reports Asian Lite News

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that from April 12, non-essential shops will reopen and pubs and restaurants will resume outdoor dining as the country moves to step two of the roadmap out of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Meanwhile, hairdressers, barbers as well as gyms can reopen, along with zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres, Xinhua news agency quoted Johnson as saying on Monday.

“The net result of your efforts and of course the vaccine rollout is that I can today confirm that from Monday, April 12, we will move to step two of our road map,” said the Prime Minister.

The statement came as the Prime Minister was speaking at a virtual Downing Street press conference to give an update on his government’s anti-coronavirus plan.

“But we can’t be complacent… We still don’t know how strong the vaccine shield will be,” he said.

UK
Also read:UK confirms 7 blood clot deaths linked to AstraZeneca

Johnson said England has managed to meet the “tests” set by the government sufficiently to go ahead with further easing restrictions on Monday.

The government previously set out four “tests” for easing lockdown: the vaccine program continues successfully; vaccines are effective in reducing hospital admissions and deaths; infection rates do not risk overwhelming the British National Health Service (NHS); the variants of concern do not pose a large risk.

Nearly 31.6 million people have been given the first jab of a coronavirus vaccine, according to the official figures.

The US has reported a total of 4,376,629 confirmed coronavirus cases so far, with 127,106 deaths.

Also read:UK to try out ‘Covid status certification’

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UK to try out ‘Covid status certification’

Boris Johnson(IANS)

The National Health Service (NHS) will set up a system that will allow people to use an app or a paper certificate to gain access to major events..reports Asian Lite News

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to unveil plans on Monday to develop a “Covid status certification” scheme to enable the safe return of mass gatherings and indoor events as lockdown restrictions eased in England.

Football cup finals, the World Snooker Championship, a comedy club and a cinema will be used to test vaccine passports over the next few weeks, Xinhua news agency quoted a report by the Guardian newspaper.

The evidence from the trials will be used to consider the wider use of vaccine passports, it said.

According to the newspaper, the National Health Service (NHS) will set up a system that will allow people to use an app or a paper certificate to gain access to major events.

The system being piloted will take into consideration whether someone has had a vaccination, a recent negative test, or natural immunity after a positive test in the last six months, said the newspaper.

Johnson will set out more details on Monday at a time when his government announced that more than 5 million people in Britain have received their second dose of the vaccine.

UK

However, British lawmakers will want to study the proposals closely with many deeply suspicious about anything which smacks of a “vaccine passport” for domestic use, the Evening Standard newspaper reported.

More than 40 Conservative lawmakers have publicly declared their opposition to the idea, and Johnson could struggle to get the plan through the British Parliament if they decide to oppose it, said the London-based newspaper.

Also read:UK PM’s race adviser steps down

In developing the scheme, officials will take into account three factors, whether an individual has received the vaccine, has recently tested negative for the virus, or has “natural immunity” having tested positive in the previous six months.

The Prime Minister will also outline the government’s approach for easing restrictions on foreign travel when its global travel task force reports on April 12.

British ministers have made it clear that the ban on foreign travel will remain in place until at least May 17.

When it is finally lifted, it will be replaced by a risk-based “traffic light” system with red, amber and green ratings for countries around the world, local media reported.

Also read:UK mulls Covid vax certification

This will be based on a range of factors, including the proportion of the population that has been vaccinated, rates of infection, emerging new variants and the country’s access to reliable scientific data and genomic sequencing.

Travellers arriving from countries rated “green” will not be required to isolate, although pre-departure and post-arrival tests will still be needed.

For those classed as “amber” or “red”, the restrictions will remain as they are will arrivals required to isolate or enter quarantine.

UK starts surge testing

More than 31.4 million people have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the official figures.

From April 12, non-essential retail, as well as restaurants and pubs, if serving people outdoors, will be allowed to reopen in England.

On February 22, Johnson had announced his roadmap exiting the lockdown, the third of its kind since the start of the pandemic.

The four-step plan is expected to see all legal restrictions in England being removed by mid-June.

Experts have warned the UK is “still not out of the woods” amid concerns over new variants and the third wave of pandemic in the European continent.

Also read:UK confirms 7 blood clot deaths linked to AstraZeneca

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UK PM’s race adviser steps down

Samuel Kasumu, UK PM’s Johnson’s special adviser for civil society and communities, had announced his resignation amid row over race report…reports Asian Lite News

A senior adviser to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will resign amid an intense debate over Downing Street’s controversial report on racial disparities, local media reported.

Samuel Kasumu, Johnson’s special adviser for civil society and communities, will leave his role in May and had informed colleagues of his decision on Wednesday, sources confirmed to British media on Thursday.

News of his departure emerged the day after the government released a report which concluded that there was no evidence of institutional racism in Britain.

“The report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities faced heavy criticism, with claims that it is culturally deaf, out of step with public opinion, and steeped in denial,” the Evening Standard newspaper reported.

Kasumu is expected to stay in post until May to continue work on improving vaccine uptake in minority groups, said the London-based newspaper.

Boris Johnson

But a Downing Street spokesperson said Kasumu’s departure had been planning “for several months” and was not linked to the report by the government’s Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities.

“Any suggestion that this decision has been made this week or that this is linked to the (commission’s) report is completely inaccurate,” the spokesperson added.

Also read:UK mulls Covid vax certification

Kasumu, who has not commented on the race report yet, has reportedly been unhappy with the government’s stance on racial issues.

He had previously handed in a resignation letter in February, accusing the Conservatives of a “politics steeped in division”.

The government’s race report, issued Wednesday, said that social class and family structure, rather than race, had a bigger impact on how people’s lives turned out.

  • Protest-at-St.-Nicholas-Church-in-Brighton-1(wikipedia)

It claimed the UK acts as “a model” for other white-majority countries when it comes to racial equality in education and the workplace.

The study was set up after Black Lives Matter protests last year.

A section of the report that claimed there was a new story to be told about the “slave period”, which was not just about “profit and suffering”, has been criticised for “glorifying” the slave trade.

Also read:‘UK has exclusive deal with AstraZeneca’

Labour’s Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary Marsha de Cordova on Thursday called the report “divisive”, adding it was “no wonder” the government was “losing the expertise from their team”.

“To have your most senior advisor on ethnic minorities quit as you publish a so-called landmark report on race in the UK is telling of how far removed the Tories are from the everyday lived experiences of Black, Asian and ethnic minority people,” she added.

Johnson said on Thursday the UK government is not going to agree with “absolutely everything” in the race report, but “it has some original and stimulating work in it that I think people need to read and to consider”.

“There are very serious issues that our society faces to do with racism that we need to address.

“We’ve got to do more to fix it, we need to understand the severity of the problem, and we’re going to be looking at all the ideas that they have put forward,” he added.

Also read:UK mulls Covid vax certification