Tag: UK

Categories
-Top News UK News

South Asians in Britain at greater risk in 2nd wave: Study

A man wearing a face mask cycles past the Francis Crick Institute Vaccination Centre in London,UK , Britain, March 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Yan/IANS)

Minority ethnic groups in the UK are disproportionately affected by factors that also increase the risk for poor Covid-19 outcomes…reports Asian Lite News.

Minority ethnic groups in general and South Asians, in particular, had a higher risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 and of Covid-19-related hospitalisation, intensive care (ICU) admissions and deaths during the second wave of the pandemic in the UK compared to the first, according to a new observational study of 17 million people.

Led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the study published in the medical journal ‘Lancet’ on Friday accounted for a large number of explanatory variables, such as household size, social factors and health conditions across all ethnic groups and at different stages of Covid-19, from testing to mortality.

The study that compared with the first wave last year, the relative risk for testing positive, hospitalisation, ICU admission, and death were smaller in the pandemic second wave earlier this year for all minority ethnic communities compared to white people, with the exception of South Asian groups – covering Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.

“Despite the improvements seen in most minority ethnic groups in the second wave compared to the first, it’s concerning to see that the disparity widened among South Asian groups,” said Dr Rohini Mathur, the study’s lead author. “This highlights an urgent need to find effective prevention measures that fit with the needs of the UK’s ethnically diverse population,” she said.

In South Asian groups, health factors such as BMI, blood pressure, underlying health conditions played the biggest role in explaining excess risks for all outcomes. Household size was an important explanatory factor for the disparity for Covid-19 mortality in South Asian groups only.

A health worker looks at a vial of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination centre

“Minority ethnic groups in the UK are disproportionately affected by factors that also increase the risk for poor Covid-19 outcomes, such as living in deprived areas, working in front-line jobs, and having poorer access to healthcare,” Dr Mathur noted.

WHO okays Moderna for emergency use

The WHO has given the go-ahead for emergency use of Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine. The mRNA vaccine from the US manufacturer joins vaccines from AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson in receiving the WHO’s emergency use listing. Similar approvals for China’s Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines are expected.

Also Read-UK considers abolishing quarantine for Covid contact

Read More-UK considers abolishing quarantine for Covid contact

Categories
-Top News India News UK News

Boris, Modi to hold virtual summit

Britain to send 1,000 more ventilators from its surplus stocks to support India’s Covid-19 response in the face of the second wave of infections, reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will launch a “comprehensive roadmap 2030” to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation over the next decade when they hold a virtual summit on May 4.

The roadmap will focus on enhancing cooperation in five areas – trade and prosperity, defence and security, climate action, healthcare and people-to-people relations, the external affairs ministry said on Sunday.

“The summit will be an important opportunity to elevate our multi-faceted strategic ties and enhance cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Both leaders will also discuss Covid-19 cooperation and the global efforts to fight the pandemic,” the ministry said.

The British foreign office also said in a statement on Sunday that the UK will send 1,000 more ventilators from its surplus stocks to support India’s Covid-19 response in the face of a second wave of infections.

The statement added that Johnson and Modi will agree on a “huge range of commitments” to deepen cooperation, including in fighting the pandemic, during their summit.

“The terrible images we have seen in India in recent weeks are all the more powerful because of the close and enduring connection between the people of the UK and India,” Johnson said.

“I am deeply moved by the surge of support the British people have provided to the people of India and am pleased the UK government has been able to play our part in providing life-saving assistance. The UK will always be there for India in its time of need.”

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Johnson has twice called off a planned visit to India this year because of the Covid-19 situation. Last month, he cancelled a trip that was to begin on April 25 following a surge in Coronavirus infections in India. Johnson cancelled a visit in January to be chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in order to focus on his government’s response to a new Coronavirus variant that was spreading rapidly.

The fresh assistance from Britain will be in addition to 200 ventilators, 495 oxygen concentrators and three large oxygen generation units the UK announced it would be sending to India last week.

Chris Whitty

UK’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance have spoken to their Indian counterparts to provide advice and expertise for the Indian healthcare system.

The UK National Health Service is establishing a clinical advisory group led by Chief People Officer Prerana Isaar to support India’s Covid-19 response. The group will work with Indian institutions such as the All India Institute of Medical Services to share experience in managing Covid-19 outbreaks. The group will include researchers in public and global health, and nursing and other health professionals who have experience of the Indian healthcare system.

Over the past week, British citizens, businesses and civil society have also responded to appeals for help and launched funding drives. This includes the British Asian Trust’s “Oxygen for India” emergency appeal, which is raising funds for oxygen concentrators to be rapidly deployed to Indian hospitals. The appeal, personally backed by the Prince of Wales, has raised more than £1.5 million.

Virgin Atlantic flew 200 boxes of oxygen concentrators to New Delhi on Saturday after partnering with Khalsa Aid. More cargo space will be given free of charge on six flights to India in the next week, in association with The Red Cross.

Also Read-Govt green lights self-driving cars on UK roads

Read More-Covid infections in UK drop to late Summer levels

Categories
-Top News COVID-19 UK News

UK considers abolishing quarantine for Covid contact

A man wearing a face mask cycles past the Francis Crick Institute Vaccination Centre in London,UK , Britain, March 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Yan/IANS)

Currently, these people are required to quarantine at home for 10 days but the measure could be scrapped if a trial in England, which gives daily lateral flow tests to as many as 40,000 people, is successful…reports Asian Lite News

Daily lateral flow tests could be used as a way to prevent home-isolation in the UK for those who have been in contact with someone tested positive for coronavirus, British media reported.

Currently, these people are required to quarantine at home for 10 days but the measure could be scrapped if a trial in England, which gives daily lateral flow tests to as many as 40,000 people, is successful, Xinhua news agency quoted a Sky News report as saying on Sunday.

“This new pilot could help shift the dial in our favour by offering a viable alternative to self-isolation for people who are contacts of positive Covid-19 cases, and one that would allow people to carry on going to work and living their lives,” said Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

The trial will begin on May 9 and close contacts of people with coronavirus will be contacted by phone and sent seven days of the tests if they decide to participate in the study.

UK
Also read:Quarter of UK adults receive both jab doses

They will have to test themselves every morning for seven days and will be exempt from the home isolation rule every day they test negative, as long as they do not show any symptoms of coronavirus.

Lateral flow tests give results in about 30 minutes but are considered less sensitive than PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, whose results usually return in 24 hours or so, according to the BBC.

More than 34.3 million people have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures.

Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, the UK is “still not out of the woods” amid concerns over new variants, particularly those first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India, and the third wave of pandemic on the European continent.

Also read:Covid infections in UK drop to late Summer levels

Categories
-Top News India News UK News

Nirav Modi seeks to appeal against extradition

Nirav Modi who had 14 days to appeal the decision has approached the High Court of appeals on the 28th April 2021 to appeal the decisions made by the lower court judge as well as the home secretary Priti Patel, reports Poonam Joshi

The fugitive diamond dealer Nirav Modi, who is wanted in India for allegedly defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB) out of an estimated $2 billion has filed a permission to appeal in the UK high court against his extradition to India.

Modi, 50, who was arrested in March 2019 and has been held in the Wandsworth prison in south London ever since, was ordered to be extradited by the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel on the 15th April 2021.

Westminster Magistrate’s Court’s judge Sam Goozee made a decision on February 25, finding Nirav Modi guilty on all the charges saying that the fugitive businessman had a case to answer for and should be returned to India.

The Indian government alleges that Modi and his associates colluded with officials at the state-owned Punjab National Bank to defraud the bank out of more than USD 1.4 billion by using a credit facility known as Letters of Undertaking, a form of bank guarantee to facilitate international transactions.

Nirav Modi

The court had been told that the proceeds of the fraud were then laundered through a series of shell companies manned by dummy directors and located in Dubai and Hong Kong. Modi is also charged with the destruction of evidence and intimidating witnesses.

Modi who had 14 days to appeal the decision has approached the High Court of appeals on the 28th April 2021 to appeal the decisions made by the lower court judge as well as the home secretary Priti Patel.

Also Read | NIRAV MODI EXTRADITION: Bumps ahead

It will be decided by the court of appeals judge whether or not to grant the permission to appeal which is done on papers.

Modi is likely to argue on the decision of his mental health issue which was dismissed by lower court judge Goozee saying he was not satisfied by evidence submitted by the defence about Modi’s mental and emotional health and that he was satisfied that he was fit to plead once returned to India.

If he is successful in obtaining the permission then the appeal will be heard by a single judge or division bench. Modi will need to demonstrate a strong reason to initiate the hearings for his appeal. The entire process can take a good few months given the covid crisis around the world, especially in India where Modi is sought. If its rejected UK will have 28 days to extradite him. (ANI)

Categories
-Top News COVID-19 UK News

Covid infections in UK drop to late Summer levels

Health Secretary Matt Hancock holds a COVID-19 press conference alongside Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England and Dr Nikki Kanani, Medical Director of Primary Care for NHS England in the Briefing Room in 9 Downing Street. Picture by Tim Hammond/ No 10 Downing Street

In the week to 24 April, the Coronavirus infections had dropped in all four nations of the United Kingdom and were 20 times lower than in January, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

The UK Office for National Statistics suggests the Covid-19 cases in the country are back to levels seen at the end of last summer with around one in 1,000 people infected, it was reported.

According to ONS, in the week to 24 April, infections fell in all four nations of the UK and were 20 times lower than in January, the BBC reported.

This was after a new UK study has found very small numbers of people have been admitted to hospital with Covid several weeks after having one vaccine dose.

Meanwhile, BBC analysis shows about 22 million people are now living in areas where there were no Covid deaths in April.

Covid
People are seen at an NHS COVID-19 vaccination center in London. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

The Office for National Statistics survey, which tests a random selection of thousands of people in the community, estimates that about 66,000 people in the UK would have tested positive for coronavirus in mid-April.

This is down from the previous week’s estimate – and way down on the figure of 1.25 million infected at the peak of the second wave in January.

Also Read | British Biz Forum CBI Seeks Support For India’s Covid Fight

The ONS estimates that in the week to 24 April. In England, 1 in 1,010 were infected, compared to 1 in 610 the previous week. In Wales, 1 in 1,570 were infected, compared to 1 in 840 the previous week. While in Northern Ireland, 1 in 940 were infected, compared to 1 in 660 last week and in Scotland, 1 in 640 were infected, compared to 1 in 560 the week before, the BBC cited ONS data.

For England, it is the lowest figure since the week to 5 September, when the estimate stood at one in 1,400, while in Wales it is the lowest since 10 September.

A pedestrian walks by a pub, The Hope, shuttered in London due to coronavirus regulations. Photo: Yui Mok/PA

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, who joined the survey later, the figures are the lowest since their estimates began.

Another 2,381 new cases were reported in UK and also 15 Covid-related deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

A quarter of all adults in the UK have received both coronavirus vaccine doses – that’s more than 13m people.

Also Read | Quarter of UK adults receive both jab doses

The milestone means one in four adults in the UK has received the strongest possible protection against COVID-19 and it comes as the NHS is now inviting 42 and 43 year olds to get their jab.

But the Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned Cabinet colleagues the UK is “not out of the woods” yet as virus variants of concern continue to emerge.

The government’s latest figures also show 34.2 million people have now received a first dose of a vaccine, while 14.5 million people are fully vaccinated having received two jabs.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Photo: No 10, Downing Street)

The government has already hit its target of offering everybody in cohorts 1 to 9 – those aged 50 and over, the clinically vulnerable and health and social care workers – a first dose of the vaccine by 15 April and remains on track to offer a jab to all adults by the end of July.

According to health officials, vaccinated people are far less likely to get COVID-19 with symptoms. They are far less likely to get serious COVID-19, to be admitted to hospital, or to die from it and there is growing evidence that vaccinated people are less likely to pass the virus to others. 

Recent data from Public Health England shows vaccines are already having a significant impact in the UK in reducing hospitalisations and deaths, and saved more than 10,000 lives between December and March.

Data from the ONS and Oxford University shows that COVID-19 infections fell significantly by 65% after the first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines, rising further after the second dose.

The latest vaccine effectiveness data from PHE show that in those aged over 70, both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines reduce the risk of getting symptomatic disease by around 60% after a single dose. This protection lasts for several weeks.

In those aged over 80, protection against hospitalisation is around 80% and the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is 85% effective at stopping people aged over 80 dying from COVID-19.

Categories
-Top News UK News

Govt green lights self-driving cars on UK roads

The government said automated lane-keeping systems (ALKS) would be the first type of hands-free driving legalised…reports Asian Lite News.

Motorists could see self-driving vehicles on British roads for the first time later this year, the Department for Transport has announced.

The government said automated lane-keeping systems (ALKS) would be the first type of hands-free driving legalised.

Designed for use on a motorway in slow traffic, ALKS enables a vehicle to drive itself in a single lane, while maintaining the ability to easily and safely return control to the driver when required.

The technology controls the position and speed of a car in a single lane and it will be limited to 37mph (60km/h), the BBC reported.

The technology could improve road safety by reducing human error, which contributes to over 85% of accidents. The driver will be able to hand control over to the vehicle, which will constantly monitor speed and keep a safe distance from other cars.

Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said it is a major step for the safe use of self-driving vehicles in the UK, “making future journeys greener, easier and more reliable while also helping the nation to build back better.”

“But we must ensure that this exciting new tech is deployed safely, which is why we are consulting on what the rules to enable this should look like. In doing so, we can improve transport for all, securing the UK’s place as a global science superpower,” the minister said.

“The automotive industry welcomes this vital step to permit the use of automated vehicles on UK roads, which will put Britain in the vanguard of road safety and automotive technology,” said SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes. “Automated driving systems could prevent 47,000 serious accidents and save 3,900 lives over the next decade through their ability to reduce the single largest cause of road accidents – human error.”

“Technologies such as Automated Lane Keeping Systems will pave the way for higher levels of automation in future – and these advances will unleash Britain’s potential to be a world leader in the development and use of these technologies, creating essential jobs while ensuring our roads remain among the safest on the planet,” he said.

Also Read-Single vaccine dose halves transmission: Study

Read More-Poll Panel To Probe Boris Flat Bill

Categories
-Top News UK News

Poll Panel To Probe Boris Flat Bill

The latest development was after reports revealed the prime minister was given a £58,000 amount from a Conservative donor to help foot the bill for refurbishments to Boris Johnson’s Downing Street flat, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

The UK Electoral Commission has launched a formal investigation into funding of refurbishments to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Downing Street flat.

The spending watchdog said there were “reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence or offences may have occurred”, the BBC reported.

The latest development was after reports the prime minister was given a £58,000 loan from a Conservative donor and peer to help foot the bill for redecorations to the No 11 residence. This was not yet denied by the ministers and the Conservative party.

The prime minister has been under growing pressure to declare how the works were paid for after his ex-adviser said there was a plan for donors to “secretly pay”, according to the report.

Johnson told the Commons that he covered the revamp “personally” – but would not say who paid the initial bill.

While it is not against the rules to receive donations, politicians must declare them so the public can see who has given them money and whether it has had any influence on their decisions.

Meanwhile, speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions at the House of Commons, Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer asked the prime minister to explain who paid for the initial invoice for renovations. Sir Keir asked the question with giving options as answers – between the taxpayer, the Conservative Party, a private donor or Mr Johnson himself.

Sir Keir accused the government of being “mired in sleaze, cronyism and scandal”, according to the BBC report.

Prime Minister Johnson’s response quoted by BBC: “The answer is I have covered the costs… I conformed in full with the code of conduct and officials have kept advising me through this whole thing.

“But I think people will think it is absolutely bizarre that he is focusing on this issue when what people want to know is what plans the government might have on improving the life of people in this country.”

Since March, the Electoral Commission has been in contact with the Conservative Party over works the prime minister had carried out to No 11.

“We believe all reportable donations have been transparently and correctly declared and published by the Electoral Commission. We will continue to work constructively with the Electoral Commission on this matter,” BBC quoted a Tory spokesman as saying.

Meanwhile, around 34 million people have been given the first coronavirus vaccine jab in the UK.

On Monday, non-essential shops, gyms, swimming pools, pubs, restaurants reopened in Scotland as the region further eases its lockdown.

Under the new measures, travel restrictions were scrapped and people in Scotland are allowed to travel to other parts of Britain for non-essential reasons. Meanwhile, nail salons, museums and holiday accommodation can also reopen in Scotland.

UK

Unlike England, pubs and restaurants will be able to open indoors until 20:00 BST (1900 GMT), but alcohol will have to be served to customers sitting outside.

Scotland has been in Level Four lockdown, the toughest coronavirus restrictions, since December 26 last year, with all non-essential shops, leisure facilities, and hospitality venues closed.

Prime Minister Johnson has acknowledged that the majority of scientific experts are of the view that there will be another wave of coronavirus 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 as lockdown eased, along with hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services.

On May 17, restaurants and pubs are expected to be allowed to resume indoor service and see most rules on gathering outdoors lifted.

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

Also Read-UK condemns new sentence for dual citizen in Iran

Read More-India, UK to step up customs cooperation

Categories
-Top News India News UK News

India, UK to step up customs cooperation

The Union cabinet has given nod for the agreement that will ease trade between India and UK…reports Asian Lite News

The Modi Cabinet on Wednesday greenlighted the signing and ratification of an agreement between India and the UK on customs cooperation.

The cabinet statement said agreement between India and UK will offer relevant information for the prevention and investigation of Customs offences, Indianewsnetwork reported.

According to the Indianewsnetwork reports,the agreement is likely to bolster trade and ensure clearance of goods and it will be signed only after getting approval of both countries.

Meanwhile, as the Prime Minister’s visit to India is postponed but conversations are set to continue online later this month on the plans for the future partnership between the UK and India; the eighth edition of the Grant Thornton India meets Britain Tracker explores the significant contribution Indian companies continue to make to the UK economy, which has increased in almost every measure compared to the previous year’s report.

Also read:UK varsity sends breathing aids to India

The new research, developed by Grant Thornton UK LLP in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry, analyses the data of UK-incorporated limited companies that are either owned or controlled by Indian interests.

This year’s research finds that there are 850 Indian companies operating in the UK, up from 842 in the 2020 report

During 2020, despite continued uncertainty over the final outcome of the UK’s exit from the European Union, the research finds that Indian investors have continued to invest in the UK. They were involved in ten acquisitions (the highest of any single EU country) throughout the year, including four in the technology and telecoms industry and two in manufacturing.

Also read:Indian companies’ contribution to UK economy grows

Categories
-Top News Asia News UK News

UK condemns new sentence for dual citizen in Iran

UK foreign secretary slammed the decision ,calling it a “totally inhumane and wholly unjustified decision.”…reports Asian Lite News

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his foreign secretary Dominic Raab condemned the new one-year prison sentence that was issued by an Iranian court to UK-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

This comes after the 42-year-old UK-Iranian national was sentenced on charges of “propaganda activities against the regime,” after serving a five-year term previously imposed on her in 2016, Sputnik reported while citing UK media.

“Iran’s decision to sentence Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to another year in prison is cruel, inhumane and wholly unjustified. She must be allowed to return to her family in the UK and we will continue to do all we can to get her home,” Johnson tweeted.

UK foreign secretary also took the social media platform to condemn the alleged new sentence, calling it a “totally inhumane and wholly unjustified decision.”

“We continue to call on Iran to release Nazanin immediately so she can return to her family in the UK. We continue to do all we can to support her,” Raab added.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a charity worker with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was arrested at Tehran airport in April 2016 a she headed back to Britain with her daughter after a family visit. She was sentenced to five years in jail after being convicted of plotting to overthrow Iran’s clerical establishment.

Her family and the Foundation, however, denied the charges.

In March, after her prison term expired, Iranian authorities released her from house arrest and had her ankle tag removed, but did not allow her to return to the UK. (ANI)

Also read:UK sanctions 22 individuals linked to int’l corruption

Categories
-Top News UK News

UK sanctions 22 individuals linked to int’l corruption

Boris Johnson

22 Individuals across various countries also targeted with the measures including asset freeze and travel ban…reports Asian Lite News

The UK has imposed sanctions on 22 individuals, 14 of them Russians, involved in notorious corruption cases under a new anti-corruption regime.

Individuals across South Africa, South Sudan and Latin America were also targeted with the asset freezes and travel bans.

Announcing the sanctions in the House of Commons, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “Global Britain is standing up for democracy, good governance and the rule of law. We are saying to those involved in serious corruption: we will not tolerate you or your dirty money in our country,”

“The individuals we have sanctioned today have been involved in some of the most notorious corruption cases around the world.”

“Corruption has a corrosive effect as it slows development, drains the wealth of poorer nations and keeps their people trapped in poverty. It poisons the well of democracy,” Raab added.

Also read:Indian companies’ contribution to UK economy grows

The measures are deliberately targeted, so the UK can impose sanctions on corrupt individuals and their enablers, rather than entire nations.

They are being taken partly in tandem with the US, which is today also announcing further corruption sanctions. Acting together sends the clearest possible signal that corruption comes with a heavy price.

Sanctions were imposed on people from six countries, including:

14 Russians involved in a massive tax fraud uncovered by the lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, who later died in custody

Three businessmen – the brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta – accused of serious corruption in South Africa

Sudanese businessman Ashraf Seed Ahmed Hussein Ali – dubbed Al Cardinal – accused of misappropriating state assets in South Sudan

And three individuals accused of serious corruption in Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala

This is the first time the UK has imposed sanctions for international corruption.

Also read:Quarter of UK adults receive both jab doses