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‘Unlocking may cause 3rd Covid wave in UK’

The scientists made their remarks as Britain is poised to partly ease the current lockdown restrictions, the third of its kind since the start of the pandemic in the country…reports Asian Lite News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYRr8FdhAgY

British scientists have warned that the British government is risking a third wave of Covid-19 by easing the lockdown too soon, local media reported.

“There are areas in West Yorkshire, the Black Country and other regions that still have high infection rates. However, many people there cannot afford to self-isolate. We need to tackle that issue urgently or the virus will come back again,” Leeds University medical school Associate Professor Stephen Griffin told the Observer on Sunday.

“It’s worrying. There are far too many virus hotspots and not enough attention being paid to controlling infections that might spread from them,” said Griffin, Xinhua news agency reported.

Professor Lawrence Young of Warwick medical school said: “The test, trace and isolate system that is supposed to contain outbreaks has not worked well, and even when people test positive, they are not isolating. We need a properly funded system for quarantining infected people. We don’t have that and that raises the risk we could head back into trouble again quite quickly.”

The scientists made their remarks as Britain is poised to partly ease the current lockdown restrictions, the third of its kind since the start of the pandemic in the country, on Monday.

From Monday, non-essential shops will reopen and pubs and restaurants will reopen outdoors at a time when Britain moves to step two of the roadmap out of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Meanwhile, hairdressers and barbers as well as gyms can reopen, along with zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres.

Also read:UK Reports 3K New COVID Cases

Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, Britain is “still not out of the woods” amid concerns over new variants and the third wave of pandemic on the European continent.

More than 32 million people have been given the first coronavirus vaccine jab, according to the official figures.

UK

The estimated coronavirus reproduction number, also known as the R number, in England is unchanged at between 0.8 and one, according to the latest official data.

It means that, on average, every 10 people who have coronavirus will infect between eight and 10 others.

Government advisory scientists said the situation is too variable in some regions to produce a Britain-wide R rate, but the number is believed to be above one in some parts of the country, which means the outbreak could grow exponentially.

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

Also read:Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Dies at 99

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Britons mourn death of Prince Philip

Britain’s Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, died at Windsor Castle on Friday morning…reports Asian Lite News

Despite Covid-19 restrictions, mourners have continued to travel to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to pay tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh who passed away on Friday at the age of 99.

Britain’s Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, died at Windsor Castle on Friday morning.

All British government buildings have been told to fly official flags at half-mast in tribute to the duke on the day after the his funeral, Xinhua news agency reported.

Gun salutes have been fired across Britain on Saturday, on land and at sea in memory of the duke, the BBC reported.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh(Wikipedia)

Saluting batteries began firing 41 rounds at one round every minute from midday on Saturday in cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, as well from Royal Navy warships.

Also read:UK Reports 3K New COVID Cases

The royal family website has asked people not to leave flowers and tributes at royal residences. The website encourages members of the public to consider making a donation to a charity instead of leaving floral tributes.

No official details have been announced yet about the duke’s funeral, but it is understood the Duke of Edinburgh will be given a royal ceremonial funeral rather than a state funeral according to his wishes, Sky News reported.

The Buckingham Palace is expected to release during the weekend details about the days to come and the duke’s funeral.

Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu on June 10, 1921. He married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became Queen, and was the longest-serving royal consort in British history. The couple had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

In May 2017, the 96-year-old duke retired from his own program of royal duties after carrying out more than 20,000 solo public engagements.

The duke left hospital last month after a month-long treatment. He underwent a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition, according to Buckingham Palace.

Also read:Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Dies at 99

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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 on track to inoculate all adult by July

The AstraZeneca jab remained safe and those who had received one dose should take up their second when they are called, said Matt Hancock…reports Asian Lite News

Britain has more than enough supply of alternative vaccines to vaccinate all adults under 30, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

His remarks came after the British government’s vaccination advisory body said Wednesday that Britons aged 18-29 will be offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine amid concerns over its possible link with reported rare cases of blood clots, Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.

Hancock told the BBC that Britain is still on track to vaccinate all adults by July 31.

The AstraZeneca jab remained safe and those who had received one dose should take up their second when they are called, he said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a vial of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine Covid-19 candidate vaccine, known as AZD1222, at Wockhardt’s pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Wrexham, North Wales. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street

There was “no evidence” of rare blood clots after the second dose of the vaccine, he said.

“The safety system that we have around this vaccine is so sensitive that it can pick up events that are four in a million (the chance of developing a rare brain blood clot) — I’m told this is about the equivalent risk of taking a long-haul flight,” he said.

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

Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said Wednesday that the side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine were extremely rare and the vaccine’s effectiveness is proven, adding that the benefits of taking the vaccine are still very favourable for the vast majority.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Jonathan Van-Tam has said that because of the supply situation with other vaccines, the effect on the vaccination program in Britain should be “negligible”.

Doris Wildgoose, 99, receives her second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Hyde Leisure Centre in Greater Manchester, Britain, on Jan. 7, 2021. (Photo by Jon Super/Xinhua/ians)

Currently, Britain is also rolling out the Pfizer jab, and the first doses of the Moderna vaccine were administered Wednesday in Wales.

The country also has supply agreements with several other companies that are still waiting for approval, including Valneva and Janssen.

More than 31.7 million people have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the official figures.

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

Also read:UK to ease lockdown next week

Categories
-Top News COVID-19 UK News

Boris: Holidays should be Practical

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson saidthat Britons should be “realistic” about international travel for holidays amid concerns over the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic on the European continent.

The government is yet to make a decision on whether Britons can go for a foreign holiday from May 17 as previously planned, Xinhua news agency quoted Johnson as saying on Tuesday.

“That doesn’t mean we’ve given up on May 17. I know how impatient people are to book their holidays but I think we just have to be prudent at this stage.”

The Prime Minister said that Britain should continue rolling out the AstraZeneca vaccine despite concerns about occasional reported cases of blood clots.

Johnson said the current advice of Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UK’s medicines regulator, is to “keep going out there, get your jab, get your second jab” and “we need to keep that going”.

The vaccines are already “starting to have a beneficial effect on the trajectory of the disease”, said Johnson, noting the falling number of cases and deaths in the country.

On Monday, Johnsonconfirmed that from April 12, non-essential shops will reopen and pubs and restaurants will reopen outdoors as Britain moves to step two of the roadmap out of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Meanwhile, hairdressers and barbers as well as gyms can reopen, along with zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres.

However, experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, Britain is “still not out of the woods” amid concerns over new variants and the third wave of the pandemic across Europe.

Read More:

Also Read-UK to ease lockdown next week

Read More-Russia upset over US, UK missile deployment

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Russia upset over US, UK missile deployment

Russia will continue to carefully monitor the actions of the US and its allies to create a ground-based INF arsenal in Europe and Asia-Pacific…reports Asian Lite News

Russia has expressed concerns about plans by the US and the UK to deploy ground-based intermediate and shorter-range missiles.

In a statement on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Pentagon officials in the US have recently made statements about the practical steps required to deploy in various regions of the world ground-based intermediate and shorter-range missiles, previously banned by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Xinhua news agency reported.

The British military has joined in on the “openly hostile, destabilizing” statements and actions in this regard, it noted.

The plans will narrow the space for a diplomatic solution to post-INF Treaty problems, it warned.

Also read:Russia asks NATO to deal own problems

Russia will continue to carefully monitor the actions of the US and its allies to create a ground-based INF arsenal in Europe and Asia-Pacific, said the statement.

“We are by no means shutting the door to dialogue, but in the current conditions we do not rule out that Russia will be forced” to respond to the growing missile threats, the statement read.

In August 2019, Russia and the US formally withdrew from the INF Treaty after accusing each other of violating the landmark arms control deal signed in Washington in December 1987.

Also read:Turkey-Russia deal for Syrian ceasefire

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UK to ease lockdown next week

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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Community UK News

Kishan Devani named senior advisor at ActionAid UK

Kishan Devani BEM a politician, consultant and educator whose work has been pioneering in the area of community-cohesion will prove invaluable in connecting ActionAid UK to charitable organisations around the world…reports Asian Lite News

Kishan Devani has been honoured with being appointed as the newest external Senior Advisor for the philanthropy team at ActionAid UK.

ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty aimed at ending violence and fighting poverty so that all women, everywhere, can create the future they want.

As a long-term supporter and strong advocate of the international charity, Kishan expressed his willingness to work with the team to help raise awareness of its work with women and girls living in poverty

Kishan started supporting ActionAid UK in 2020, at the height of pandemic and the charity’s emergency appeal to deliver urgent humanitarian aid to the world’s poorest countries.

He expressed his pleasure and said “I am both honoured and delighted to be appointed Senior Advisor to the fundraising team at ActionAid UK.”

“As an International NGO operating all over the world, I have seen first-hand the immensely life-changing work Action Aid does globally. It truly is a privilege to be a part of the Action Aid journey and playing my small part in changing the lives of millions across the globe,”he added.

ActionAid UK
Also read:Kishan Devani BEM honoured with being appointed Hon. VP of Green Lib Dem

As a role model to thousands of young British Asians and BAME communities due to his continuous efforts to promote community cohesion and diversity in public life, Kishan will prove invaluable in connecting ActionAid UK to philanthropists and their advisors around the world to expand these initiatives further.

Louise Johnson, Head of Principal Giving at ActionAid UK, said “We are thrilled to have Kishan on board as a senior advisor to help grow our philanthropy offering. In the time he has been supporting us he has shown real commitment to raising awareness of our work.”

Louise Johnson

“It’s wonderful that Kishan will be using his platform to shine a spotlight on the important issues facing women and girls living in poverty. With his help, we can do more to support women and girls and their communities around their world break free from the cycle of poverty, inequality and abuse –and create the futures they want,”she added.

ActionAid UK’s Aid Match campaign “She is the answer” is running from 5 March until 4 June. To find out more about how you can support this campaign and women’s leadership, visit: www.actionaid.org.uk/sheistheanswer

Also read:Kishan Devani named Board Advisor to IAMA

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UK to try out ‘Covid status certification’

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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Protests in England, Wales against crime bill

The latest demonstrations came a month after several protests against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill turned violent in Bristol…reports Asian Lite News

Protests were staged in London and in 24 other towns and cities across England and Wales against the UK government’s new crime bill, local media reported.

Police in London had warned people against joining the protests on Saturday, saying in an open letter that anyone who attends a gathering that breaches coronavirus restrictions may be committing an offence, reports Xinhua news agency.

In a statement, Deputy Assistant Commissioner , who is leading the Metropolitan Police’s strategic response to Covid-19, said: “While we welcome the limited relaxation of rules, we don’t want to become complacent. We are hugely grateful to the vast majority of Londoners who have played a vital part in controlling the spread of the virus up to now.

“After a long and difficult few months, let’s not undo all of that hard work now.

“Wherever possible, we should continue to be vigilant, minimise our contact as much as possible, wear a face covering where required and keep ourselves safe. That means avoiding any large gathering.”

The latest demonstrations came a month after several protests against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill turned violent in Bristol.

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

Officers in riot gear and dogs were sent in to clear the streets while 10 people were arrested during the “Kill the Bill” demonstration late March.

The bill would give the police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those deemed to be too noisy or a nuisance.

Those convicted under the bill could face a fine or jail.

Covid regulations have since been relaxed and protests are now lawful in England and Wales.

However, protest organisers must submit a risk assessment and take steps to limit the potential transmission of coronavirus, according to The Guardian newspaper.

Last month, police in Bristol were criticised for crackdowns on three protests against the bill, with officers in riot gear and dogs sent in to clear the streets three times in the city in the space of a week.

Protesters have attacked police in Bristol after thousands of people turned up to a demonstration that officers had “strongly advised” against attending.

Officers suffered broken bones and police vans were set alight as angry scenes unfolded in downtown Bristol, according to media reports.

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