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UK government and striking teachers agreed to have “intense talks”

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UK strikes
  • The talks — amid a cost of living crisis that has seen inflation top 11 percent last October.
  • The talks would include the National Education Union (NEU).
  • But how can our members ignore the cost-of-living crisis when 40,000 civil servants are using foodbanks?

The UK government and teaching unions on Friday agreed to hold “intensive talks”, a day after health unions said they had reached a deal on pay following a string of damaging strikes.

The talks — amid a cost of living crisis that has seen inflation top 11 percent last October — would focus on “pay, conditions and workload reduction”, according to a joint statement by the government and unions.

Workers across the British economy from dock workers to ambulance staff have joined the wave of industrial action which began last year.

“The Education Secretary and all unions will meet today (Friday), beginning intensive talks, which will continue over the weekend,” the joint statement said.

The talks would include the National Education Union (NEU) whose members staged two walkouts in England this week.

The announcement followed a breakthrough in the standoff between the government and health workers.

Unions representing staff in England including nurses said on Thursday they had agreed a deal to increase pay by 5 percent in the next financial year.

The package, impacting around one million National Health Service (NHS) staff, will also include a further 2.0 percent rise to this year’s salaries and a one-off bonus worth at least £1,250 ($1,510) per person.

It follows months of unprecedented industrial action by nurses, paramedics, emergency call handlers, midwives and others, which was paused to allow for two weeks of formal negotiations with ministers.

Staff have taken to picket lines in protest over low wages that have been hit by decades-high inflation.

The British Medical Association (BMA) which represents junior doctors, meanwhile, said they had exchanged letters with the government following their own three-day stoppage earlier this week.

“Our position has been that we are open to talk in good faith, meaningfully, at any time,” Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chair of the BMA’s junior doctors committee, told BBC radio.

“So far we haven’t arranged a time for this afternoon but there has been some correspondence between our offices so it does look like we’ll be able to set something up in the near future.”

The NEU teaching union said no further strikes would be announced in order for the talks to begin.

But the civil servants’ PCS union said it was escalating its own industrial action with a five-week strike by its members working in the Passport Office.

“In sharp contrast with other parts of the public sector, ministers have failed to hold any meaningful talks with us, despite two massive strikes and sustained, targeted action lasting six months,” said PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka.

“They seem to think if they ignore our members, they’ll go away. But how can our members ignore the cost-of-living crisis when 40,000 civil servants are using foodbanks and 45,000 of them are claiming the benefits they administer themselves?” he added.

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Aukus deal: US, UK, Australia reach agreement on nuclear submarine project

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Aukus
  • The US must initially give Australia at least three nuclear-powered submarines.
  • The allies will also collaborate to build a new fleet employing state-of-the-art technology.
  • The agreement aims to reduce China’s sway in the Indo-Pacific area.

The presidents of the US, UK, and Australia have released new information about their strategy for building a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines of the newest generation.

According to the Aukus pact, the US must initially give Australia at least three nuclear-powered submarines.

The allies will also collaborate to build a new fleet employing state-of-the-art technology, including reactors built by the UK’s Rolls-Royce.

The agreement aims to reduce China’s sway in the Indo-Pacific area.

US President Joseph Biden emphasized that the boats would not have nuclear weapons and would not put Australia’s resolve to being a nuclear-free country in jeopardy when he spoke with the other leaders in San Diego, California.

The following is a summary of the information presented in the presentation.

Before Australia purchases three US Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s with the option to buy two more, the US and UK will base a small number of nuclear submarines at a RAN facility in Perth, Western Australia, beginning in 2027.

Next, a brand-new nuclear-powered submarine called SSN-AUKUS will be designed and constructed for the navies of the UK and Australia.

The technology for this attack ship will come from all three nations, but it will be constructed in Australia and Britain following a British design.

Australia will have submarines that can go farther and faster than its current fleet, equipped with cruise missiles that can hit targets on land and at sea, thanks to the interim and future boats.

According to President Biden, all three nations are dedicated to ensuring that the region is free and open. Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia, and Rishi Sunak, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, stood on either side of him.

“Forging this new partnership, we’re showing again how democracies can deliver our own security and prosperity… not just for us but for the entire world,” he said.

As part of the announcement made on Monday, the US also promised to invest a total of $4.6 billion (£3.7 billion) over the following few years to increase its capacity for building submarines and to enhance maintenance of its Virginia-class submarines.

Anthony Albanese of Australia claimed that the submarine proposal would result in the “biggest single investment in Australia’s defense capability in all of its history” and that it would also generate thousands of new employment.

Mr. Albanese declared, “This will be an Australian sovereign capacity, led by the Royal Australian Navy and – supported by Australian workers in Australian shipyards, with building to begin this decade.

He added that the agreement represents only the second occasion in history—and the first in 65 years—that the US has shared its nuclear propulsion technology.

The problems with global stability, according to UK Prime Minister Sunak, have only gotten worse in the 18 months since the pact was announced.

The illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, China’s escalating aggressiveness, Iran’s behavior that is destabilizing the world, and North Korea’s actions all pose a threat to a world that is marked by danger, chaos, and division.

Mr. Sunak also promised to enhance defense spending by roughly £5 billion ($6 billion) over the following two years to tackle challenges from hostile governments as part of his visit to the US.

China has frequently criticized the treaty. Last week, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for Beijing’s foreign ministry, repeated Beijing’s stance that the agreement “undermines peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region” and runs the risk of sparking an arms race.

“We urge the United States, Britain, and Australia to abandon the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game, faithfully fulfill their international obligations and do more to contribute to regional peace and stability,” he said.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized that Washington had no plans to forge a new alliance akin to Nato in response to worries that the West would increase its Indo-Pacific military footprint.

The agreement has not been without political repercussions, despite the fact that all three leaders have been quick to emphasize how it will improve their cooperation and contribute to global stability.

Australia abandoned a lucrative submarine deal with France in 2021 in favor of the trilateral accord, which strained relations with Paris politically.

The deal’s strategic significance and the fact that it would create thousands of jobs are both being praised by the Australian government.

Yet, our source continues, the nation must engage in some extremely delicate diplomacy moving forward.

The key question is whether Australia can deepen its military connections with the US while still forging closer economic ties with Beijing, as China is its main trading partner.

According to the government, Aukus might cost Australia A$368 billion (£201 billion) over the following three decades.

The location of a future east coast submarine facility has not been decided, but Port Kembla near Wollongong, 100 kilometres (62 miles) south of Sydney, is considered a possible candidate.

A local authority there claimed that the potential presence of a nuclear submarine facility nearby frightened the locals.

Councilwoman Cath Blakey of the Greens party expressed concern to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that it would turn us into a military target.

“I think it’s a potential sovereign risk to Australia to be hitching ourselves to the US and the UK.”

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Aukus: Rishi Sunak in US to finalize defence pact

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Rishi Sunak
  • The 2021 Aukus accord attempts to address the three countries.
  • The meeting between US President and the Australian Prime Minister is likely to result in an agreement.
  • Mr. Sunak will also announce the UK’s new integrated review of defense and foreign policy.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will fly to California to discuss important elements of a new defence pact with his Australian and American counterparts.

The 2021 Aukus accord attempts to address what the three countries regard as China’s threat in the Indo-Pacific area.

China branded the pact “very irresponsible” at the time.

The meeting between US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is likely to result in an agreement to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

Speaking ahead of the discussions in San Diego, Mr. Sunak said the UK’s worldwide alliances were “our greatest source of strength and security”.

On the tour, Mr. Sunak will also announce the UK’s new integrated review of defense and foreign policy, which has been updated in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Mr. Sunak said the assessment will represent “the future we want to deliver” to the UK – “safe, prosperous and standing shoulder to shoulder with our partners”.

The intentions to finalize the fundamental provisions of the Aukus (Australia-United Kingdom-United States) deal come amid tense diplomatic relations between the West and China.

Downing Street recently mentioned the “increasingly alarming behavior of the Chinese Communist Party,” and a former chief of MI6 recently stated that the UK must “wake up” to the threat presented by China’s challenges to global security.

Meanwhile, the United States and China remain at odds on topics such as Taiwan, China’s militarization of the South China Sea, and the origins of Covid-19. Furthermore, the spy balloon scandal has recently heightened tensions between the superpowers.

Beijing has acknowledged that China-US ties have “seriously deviated”. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang stated the diplomatic crisis caused by the balloon incident might have been averted but the US acted with “the presumption of guilt”.

After the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, and Russia, Australia will become only the seventh country in the world to operate nuclear-powered submarines.

The plan is for nuclear submarines to be built in Adelaide, South Australia, with the UK and US contributing technology consultation.

The UK hopes that the Aukus accord will result in employment for UK shipyards, with sources claiming that Canberra may choose to build a modified version of the British Astute-class submarine while receiving up to five US Virginia-class submarines throughout the development stage.

In addition to submarines, the treaty commits the three countries to exchange information and technology in areas ranging from intelligence and quantum technology to the acquisition of cruise missiles.

But, the signing of the agreement created a dispute with France, which lost a contract with Australia to build 12 submarines.

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Bank of England intends to liquidate Silicon Valley Bank’s UK subsidiary

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England
  • Bank failures are uncommon in the United Kingdom.
  • Certain depositors in the United Kingdom are eligible for up to 85,000 pounds.
  • The parent SVB was taken over by US banking regulators earlier on Friday.

The Bank of England announced on Friday that it was seeking a court order to put Silicon Valley Bank UK Limited into insolvency, following the takeover of its parent firm, SVB Financial Group (SIVB.O), by US regulators earlier in the day.

“SVB UK has a limited presence in the UK and no critical functions supporting the financial system. In the interim, the firm will stop making payments or accepting deposits,” the BoE said.

Certain depositors in the United Kingdom are eligible for up to 85,000 pounds ($102,000) in compensation for lost deposits through insolvency proceedings for banks or 170,000 pounds for joint accounts.

Failures are uncommon

Other assets and liabilities would be managed by the bank’s liquidators, and any monies recovered would be distributed to creditors, according to the Bank of England.

Bank failures are uncommon in the United Kingdom, with only two institutions having gone through the BoE’s resolution procedures since 2009.

SVB’s British subsidiary had requested 1.8 billion pounds of liquidity from the Bank of England through its discount window facility, which provides emergency lending to banks with acceptable collateral.

Earlier on Friday, Silicon Valley Bank UK said that it was a separate organization with an independent board of directors, apart from the parent company and its subsidiaries.

The parent SVB was taken over by US banking regulators earlier on Friday in an effort to protect depositors after the greatest bank failure since the financial crisis caused the global banking sector to lose billions in market value.

The SVB stock crash, which began on Thursday, has spread to other US and European banks. US banks have lost more than $100 billion in stock market value in the last two days, while European banks have lost another $50 billion.

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UK to pay $576 million in deal with France to curb illegal immigration

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UK
  • The agreement was revealed on Friday.
  • The funds would be used to build a new detention center for migrants.
  • The two presidents met to emphasize their nations’ deep ties.

The United Kingdom announced on Friday that it will pay $576 million over the next three years to France as part of a deal to curb illegal immigration over the English Channel.

The agreement was revealed on Friday during a combined summit in Paris between British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his French colleague Emmanuel Macron.

According to a joint statement from the two countries, the funds would be used to build a new detention center for migrants in France as well as to deploy 500 French security and support personnel “to enable the fastest detection of attempted crossings” by small boats.

Following several years of difficulties over post-Brexit discussions, fishing rights, a submarine deal with Australia, and immigration, the two presidents met on Friday to emphasize their nations’ deep ties.

Between UK and EU

“The level of ambition of this plan is exactly what we need,” Macron said, adding, “this is not an agreement between UK and France but between UK and EU.”

Sunak, who is under fire from human rights groups for his efforts to halt cross-channel immigration with a new rule that has been called racist, illegal, and impracticable, has stated that the UK “will always comply with its international treaty responsibilities.”

The number of unlawful migrants who pay human trafficking groups to get them into the UK in small, unseaworthy boats has increased in the UK. Many of these vessels have sunk, and many people have perished as a result.

The Elysee Palace’s 19-page joint statement centered on the possibility of further defense collaboration between the two nuclear powers, from the deployment of fighter fighters on each other’s aircraft carriers to the cooperative manufacturing of future cruise missiles.

About Ukraine, the presidents promised deeper cooperation, particularly in terms of providing equipment and munitions to Kyiv.

They also committed support for Ukrainian marine training in the UK, as well as offering to pursue “security assurances” with Ukraine “that would help [Kyiv] defend itself long-term and to block potential future attacks,” according to the joint statement.

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Watch: Girl celebrating graduation in Kung fu style goes viral

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graduation in Kung fu style

Girl performed a backflip before receiving her degree in Kung fu style. The video went viral on social media. She was pursuing a postgraduate degree in dance performance. Any student’s graduation is the most important day of their life. Students who are proudly receiving their degrees attend the ceremony dressed to the nines, accompanied by … Read more

Frank Sinatra: The musical to premier on Sept 23 in Birmingham

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Frank Sinatra

The new musical “Sinatra The Musical” will premiere in Birmingham. This will make the 70th anniversary of the singer’s UK tour. “Sinatra The Musical” will be on stage till October 28. Later this year, a new musical based on the life and career of the iconic singer and entertainer Frank Sinatra will premiere in Birmingham, … Read more

Prince Harry regrets ‘publicly stating’ about his kids

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Prince Harry

Prince Harry has been panicking about publicly stating that he only has “two kids.” They know they’ll be judged harshly if they go back on their word. They were deadly serious about sticking to two kids for the sake of the planet. Insiders believe Prince Harry has been panicking about publicly stating that he only … Read more

NI Protocol: Here’s how the ‘final talks’ between Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen could go

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Rishi Sunak
  • Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen are due to meet late midday in Berkshire.
  • Cabinet ministers will be briefed on the progress of the talks.
  • The prime minister will then address Lawmakers in the House of Commons.

Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, will meet today for “final talks” on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Downing Street announced the meeting details as the prime minister and president are due to meet late midday in Berkshire to discuss the Brexit accord.

In the afternoon, Cabinet ministers will be briefed on the progress of the talks.

Mr Sunak and Ms von der Leyen will make a brief joint news conference in the late afternoon if a final agreement is reached.

The prime minister will then address Lawmakers in the House of Commons.

Downing Street said Mr. Sunak “wants to ensure any deal fixes the practical problems on the ground, ensures trade flows freely within the whole of the UK, safeguards Northern Ireland’s place in our Union, and returns sovereignty to the people of Northern Ireland.”

“Over the past few months, there have been intensive negotiations with the EU – run by British ministers – and positive, constructive progress has been made,” Downing Street said.

“There have been hundreds of hours of talks covering all issues at stake and talking from first principles – what works for Northern Ireland.”

In a joint statement released by Mr. Sunak and Ms von der Leyen on Sunday, they “agreed to continue their work in person towards shared, practical solutions for the range of complex challenges around the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland”.

It comes after Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab told Sky News that Britain is “on the cusp of a deal” to resolve the long-running dispute.

Canceled meeting with the King

Ms von der Leyen was scheduled to visit the United Kingdom on Saturday to meet with Mr. Sunak and the King at Windsor Castle, but the trip was canceled.

Mr. Sunak has stated that his government is “giving it everything” to get an agreement on the Protocol.

“There’s unfinished business on Brexit and I want to get the job done,” the prime minister told The sources, adding that he would work all weekend to nail down revised terms.

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India should have reformed UN Security Council: Liz Truss

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Liz Truss
  • Chinese and Russian rivals are particularly adept at marketing their economic systems.
  • As the largest democracy in the world, India’s opinion will be “extremely crucial.”
  • Truss declared that she strongly favours expanding trade with allies like India. “

Former UK PM Liz Truss emphasised the need for a review of the UN Security Council on Friday and backed giving India a bigger role in the international organisation.

Speaking at the Ideas of India Summit hosted by ABP Network, Truss agreed that Ukraine’s NATO membership needed to be expedited. “When it comes to freedom and democracy, we must take the initiative. Chinese and Russian rivals are particularly adept at marketing their economic systems. They communicate with the world in a variety of ways using technology and false information, the speaker claimed.

The Ukraine flag was painted on a road in London with 300 litres of paint and 365 days of conflict.

In an effort to sway people’s opinions, they can also apply economic pressure, according to Truss. As the largest democracy in the world, India’s opinion will be “extremely crucial,” she claimed.

Truss declared that she strongly favours expanding trade with allies like India. “I started the free trade talks with India while I was trade secretary,” she claimed.

She continued, “I also want to see us collaborate with nations that share our values to build what I refer to as an economic NATO.”

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Dar calls for further expanding Pak-UK relations

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British Acting High Commissioner called on Ishaq Dar Dar has Pakistan has historic ties with the UK He briefed the envoy on the economic challenges ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Ishaq Dar said Pakistan has long historic ties with the United Kingdom and relations between the two countries needed to be further … Read more

UK mother Nicola Bulley body discovered by police after search

by
UK
  • The body of missing UK mother Nicola Bulley was discovered on Sunday.
  • Bulley, a mortgage adviser, went missing early Friday morning.
  • The body was retrieved from a river.

The body of missing UK mother Nicola Bulley was discovered by police on Sunday.

Lancashire Police reported a body was retrieved from a river near where Bulley went missing in the northern England community of St. Michael’s on Wyre. The body has yet to be formally identified, but Bulley’s family has been notified.

“We were called today at 11:36 am to reports of a body in the River Wyre, close to Rawcliffe Road,” a police statement read.

“An underwater search team and specialist officers have subsequently attended the scene, entered the water, and have sadly recovered a body.

“Nicola’s family have been informed of developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times. We ask that their privacy is respected.”

Home Secretary Suella Braverman wrote on Twitter that the latest developments in the case were “heart-breaking” and “distressing.”

“My thoughts remain with Nicola’s family at this extremely difficult time,” she added.

Bulley, a mortgage adviser, went missing early Friday morning, January 27. According to police, she was walking her dog after dropping off her two children at school.

Her dog was seen strolling alone a short time later, and her phone was discovered on a seat near the river, still signed into a group work call. Lancashire Police’s search for the 45-year-old mother of two, however, was fruitless for three weeks.

The case perplexed the public and drew extensive media attention, with authorities also revealing – unusually – that Bulley was suffering from alcoholism and menopause at the time of her abduction.

Persistent myths

Last week saw investigators sharply criticize members of the public they said were pedaling “persistent myths.”

Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police told journalists on Wednesday that the social media frenzy had “seriously diverted” the inquiry. “In 29 years’ police career, I’ve never seen anything like it.

“Some of it’s been quite shocking and really hurtful to the family. Obviously, we can’t disregard anything, and we’ve reviewed everything that’s come in but of course, it has distracted us significantly.”

The move by Lancashire Police to release personal information about Bulley caused significant condemnation, with many accusing the force of misogyny. The police were also chastised by the government, with Braverman citing reservations over their handling of the issue.

Stephanie Benyon, a friend of Bulley’s whose children attend the same school, previously told that she is a “kind, loyal, and thoughtful person who adores her two girls and family and friends.” Bulley’s partner of 12 years, Paul Ansell, had described the situation as a “perpetual hell.”

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Giant dinosaur footprint discover in UK’s Yorkshire

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dinosaur
  • The footprint is thought to be the biggest of its kind in the area.
  • It will be shown at the Rotunda Museum in the town.
  • Scientists who looked at the footprint Woods found think it was made by a big carnivore like a Megalosaurus.

Scientists all over the world are excited about a major paleontological find in the UK county of Yorkshire. It is a nearly meter-long (3.3 feet) footprint of a large (probably meat-eating) dinosaur that was found in Burniston Bay near the town of Scarborough, on what is called the UK’s “dinosaur coast.” The footprint is thought to be the biggest of its kind in the area. It will be shown at the Rotunda Museum in the town.

An American news station, says that the footprint was found in April 2021 by a local researcher named Marie Woods. “I just couldn’t believe what I saw… I had to take a second look. When I was out with friends, I saw a few smaller prints, but nothing like this. I can’t say anymore that archaeologists don’t study dinosaurs “Woods said this to a local news station.

She talked to the fossil experts in the area, but none of them knew the trail she was talking about. Then she contacted Dr. Dean Lomax, a palaeontologist and honorary visiting scientist at the University of Manchester. “Marie called me while she was on the beach with the fossil in front of her,” said Lomax, who wrote a study with Woods that came out Tuesday in the Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society.

Scientists who looked at the footprint Woods found think it was made by a big carnivore like a Megalosaurus. Lomax said that the shape of the print and how the claws dug into the ground show that the animal was sitting or squatting before it stood up.

“The most interesting thing about our footprint is a long piece that is still there at the back of the foot. This is an impression of the metapodium, which is the back of the foot. The presence could mean that our big meat-eater sat down in the mud and then got up and walked away.”

Geologist John Hudson from the area says that the find is more proof that meat-eating dinosaurs lived in this part of the world during the Jurassic period.

If the print is of a Megalosaurus, it would have been one of the largest predators of its time. It had a big head with sharp, serrated teeth, and CNN said that its body was between 26 and 29 feet long, or between 8 and 9 metres.

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UK strikes reach a 30-year high as wages declines due to inflation

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UK strikes

More working days were lost to strikes in the UK in 2022 than in any other year. Almost 500,000 nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants are represented by the Royal College. The government is introducing legislation that will make it more difficult for important workers to strike. More working days were lost to strikes in the … Read more

Violence outside a British hotel for asylum seekers leads to 15 arrests

by
british
  • A demonstration by crowds outside a hotel sheltering asylum seekers turned violent.
  •  The violence resulted in injuries and the burning of a police van.
  • Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has declared combating illegal migration one of his government’s main goals.

On Saturday, British police said 15 individuals had been arrested, including a 13-year-old girl, after a demonstration by crowds outside a hotel sheltering asylum seekers turned violent, resulting in injuries and the burning of a police van.

Police said offenders launched projectiles, including lighted fireworks, at officers after an initially peaceful rally and counter-protest in Knowsley, near Liverpool, in north-west England, on Friday evening.

Some people had arrived armed with hammers and pyrotechnics in order to “cause as much trouble as they could,” she continued.

Rumors and misinformation had spread on social media prior to Friday’s violence, Kennedy said, following an incident on Feb. 6 in Knowsley in which a male made unwanted approaches toward a teenage girl.

“We know that individuals involved in the violent activities last night exploited this as an excuse to commit violence and frighten members of the public,” she said, adding that a probe into the teen’s death was underway.

As the number of migrants crossing the English Channel to enter the United Kingdom swells, the government has been using hotels across the country as temporary housing while it reviews their asylum applications.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has declared combating illegal migration one of his government’s main goals, and new legislation to handle the issue is in the works.

Migrants landing on tiny boats have become a big political issue, particularly in working-class districts of north and central England, where they are blamed for making it difficult for people to find jobs and putting a strain on public services.

Police said they would enforce a dispersal order surrounding the Suites Hotel for two days, adding that extra officers would conduct high-visibility enforcement to prevent further incidents.

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Australia to remove Chinese-made cameras from defence sites

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Australia
  • Chinese-made security cameras are removed from premises to guarantee they are “fully secure.
  • Similar initiatives is taken in the United States and the United Kingdom.
  • Beijing has accused Australia of misusing national strength.

SYDNEY: Australia‘s military department will remove Chinese-made security cameras from its premises to guarantee they are “fully secure,” the government announced on Thursday.

It follows similar initiatives in the United States and the United Kingdom, which have taken steps to prevent government agencies from installing Chinese-made cameras at critical sites.

Both countries are concerned that Chinese enterprises would be obliged to disclose information gathered by the cameras with Beijing’s security services.

Beijing has accused Australia of “misusing national strength to discriminate against and oppress Chinese enterprises,” and has urged Canberra to ensure “fair” treatment for its companies operating in the country.

According to official numbers provided by opposition member James Paterson, at least 913 Chinese-made cameras have been deployed throughout more than 250 Australian government buildings.

This contains offices and facilities belonging to the defence, foreign affairs, and finance departments, as well as the attorney-office. general’s

According to Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, staff will track down and remove all Chinese-made security cameras from department buildings.

“It’s a big item that has been brought to our notice, and we’re going to address it,” he said on national television.

“We must go through this exercise to ensure that our facilities are absolutely protected.”

The government-funded national War Memorial — a large 14-hectare (35 acres) facility in Canberra — also stated it would remove a small number of Chinese-made cameras, out of a “abundance of caution”.

Other government agencies either declined to respond or referred to Marles’ remarks.

Paterson, a vociferous critic of China‘s government, previously stated that Australian government facilities were “riddled” with “spyware” and that every Chinese-made camera should be taken out immediately.

‘Unacceptable risk’

The cameras were made by companies Hikvision and Dahua, which have been blacklisted in the United States for allegedly assisting the Chinese government carry out a “campaign of repression”.

Hikvision and Dahua have been linked in the “high-technology surveillance” of the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang, according to the US Department of Commerce.

The US prohibited the import of monitoring technology built by the two businesses in November last year, claiming it presented “an intolerable risk to national security”.

In the United Kingdom, a group of 67 MPs and Lords demanded that Hikvision and Dahua be banned in July of last year, following accusations that their equipment had been used to track Uyghurs.

In June 2021, a Hikvision CCTV camera filmed former health secretary Matt Hancock kissing an aide in breach of Covid standards, prompting his resignation.

Hikvision said it was “categorically false” to paint the company as “a threat to national security”.

“No respected technical institution or assessment has come to this conclusion,” the company told in a statement.

“Our products are compliant with all applicable Australian laws and regulations and are subject to strict security requirements.”

“We hope Australia will provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the normal operations of Chinese enterprises,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

“We oppose any wrong action of stretching the concept of national security and misusing national might to discriminate against and suppress Chinese enterprises.”

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Zelensky will pay a surprise visit to the UK on Wednesday

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Zelensky
  • Volodymyr Zelensky will pay an unexpected visit to London.
  • Kiev is pushing the West to deploy more arms and military.
  • Zelensky will meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and address Parliament.

UK: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will pay an unexpected visit to London on Wednesday, according to Downing Street, at a time when Kiev is pushing the West to deploy more arms and military help to oppose Russian advances.

According to UK sources, Zelensky will meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and address Parliament alongside Ukrainian troops being trained by British forces.

The president’s travel to London is just his second outside of his country since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly a year ago, following his December visit to Washington, DC.

The trip comes at a time when Zelensky has been desperately seeking military assistance from Western friends, as Ukrainian officials warn that Moscow is planning a spring onslaught.

Britain stated on Wednesday that it would provide additional military weapons to Kyiv to help repel a potential Russian spring onslaught. Sunak stated that the UK would provide more training to Ukrainian fighter pilots and marines, as well as a long-term investment in Ukraine’s military.

The United Kingdom will begin training Ukrainian pilots on NATO-standard fighter jets. This will be Ukraine’s first official training program on Western fighter aircraft. However, there was no discussion of arming Ukraine with Western fighter planes, as Zelensky has been advocating.

Longer range capabilities

The UK also said it will provide Ukraine with “longer range capabilities,” without going into details.

“The Prime Minister will also offer to provide Ukraine with longer range capabilities,” a Downing Street statement read. “This will disrupt Russia’s ability to continually target Ukraine’s civilian and critical national infrastructure and help relieve pressure on Ukraine’s frontlines.”

NATO countries recently responded to Kyiv’s request for main battle tanks to reinforce its military, which had previously relied on Soviet-era tanks.

In mid-January, the United Kingdom was the first to announce that it would send 12 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. Following weeks of pressure, Germany and the United States announced that they would supply Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams tanks, respectively.

Sunak said: “President Zelensky’s visit to the UK is a testament to his country’s courage, determination and fight, and a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries.

“Since 2014, the UK has provided vital training to Ukrainian forces, allowing them to defend their country, protect their sovereignty and fight for their territory.

“I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future.”

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Syria is witnessing ‘catastrophe after catastrophe’

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Syria
  • UK executive director Natalie Roberts has a team in Syria.
  • She revealed that they had tragically lost a coworker.
  • It’s a catastrophe on top of a catastrophe in Syria.

Doctors Without Borders UK executive director Natalie Roberts has a team in Syria. She revealed that they had tragically lost a coworker amid the rubble.

“It’s a catastrophe on top of a catastrophe. In these parts of Turkey, in places like Gaziantep, there are millions of Syrian refugees living often in not very robust accommodations. It’s a recipe for disaster.”

Although there is a window of opportunity immediately following the earthquake to treat the acute injuries of individuals who get out of the wreckage, persons who remain beneath the rubble for too long suffered from “crush” injuries that can lead to renal failure, according to Roberts. “We expect it to happen in the coming weeks,” she said.

And the weather is compounding the situation since people are afraid to return home, exposing them to dangerously low temperatures. “We need to think immediately about strong living circumstances so that they don’t succumb to another cholera outbreak or other diseases that could result from this situation.”

Northern Syria will be affected by the earthquakes for “months and months,” she predicted.

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Missing radioactive capsule discovered in Western Australia

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Australia
  • Officials located a radioactive capsule.
  • The capsule was being verified by the military.
  • People have been advised to stay at least five meters (16.5 feet) away.

Sydney: An emergency services official in Australia claimed on Wednesday that officials located a radioactive capsule that had been lost in the vast Outback following a nearly week-long search along a 1,400 km (870-mile) length of the highway.

According to Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson, the capsule was being verified by the military and would be brought to a secure location in Perth on Thursday.

“Considering the extent of the research field, identifying this artifact was a massive undertaking; the search groups actually found the needle in the haystack,” Dawson explained.

The radioactive capsule was part of a gauge that measured the density of iron ore feed from Rio Tinto’s (RIO.AX) Gudai-Darri mine in the remote Kimberley region of the state. The ore was being transported to a plant in Perth’s suburbs, a journey that was longer than the length of the United Kingdom.

Western Australia response

Officials from Western Australia’s emergency response department, defense authorities, radiation specialists, and others have been searching for the tiny capsule that went missing in transit more than two weeks ago.

According to officials, the capsule allegedly fell from a truck and landed on the side of the road, and it was destroyed.

It seems unlikely that pollution will occur in the area.

Caesium-137, which releases radiation equivalent to 10 X-rays per hour, is contained in the silver capsule, which measures 6 mm in diameter and 8 mm in length.

People have been advised to stay at least five meters (16.5 feet) away from the capsule if they see it since exposure could result in radiation burns or radiation sickness, however driving past it is thought to pose a minor danger, similar to receiving an X-ray.

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UK and EU reach post-Brexit customs deal for North Ireland

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EU Northern Ireland

Brussels agrees to do away with the requirement for routine inspections of goods entering Northern Ireland. EU also concurs that cases involving Northern Ireland can only be referred to provincial courts. The parties are also working out the specifics of a pact involving veterinary examinations. The European Union (EU) and Britain have reached a customs … Read more

UK opened its first Indian drive-thru restaurant in Manchester: Pic

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UK opened
  • Chaiiwala is the first Indian restaurant to have a drive-thru.
  • It was formed in Bolton by the Midlands-based company, which began in Delhi in 1927.
  • Menu includes street cuisine favourites such as Aloo Tikki Burgers and Mumbai Mac.

UK has recently opened its first-ever Indian drive-thru restaurant. In recent years, Indian cuisine has grown in popularity around the world. In reality, Indian cuisine got 4.54 out of 5 stars in TasteAtlas’ 2022 World’s Best Cuisine Awards, placing it sixth.

According to the report, Chaiiwala is the first Indian restaurant to have a drive-thru. It was formed in Bolton by the Midlands-based company, which began in Delhi in 1927. It already has over 70 sites across the country, but the first with a drive-thru was just opened on Manchester Road in Greater Manchester town.

Take a look at the restaurant

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Meghan Markle’s “trouble” over UK treatment revealed

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Meghan Markle
  • Judi James is a body language specialist,
  • Judi identified the precise day Meghan Markle’s “turmoil” in the UK started to surface.
  • He can be observed sucking his lips, which suggests that he occasionally has wide eyes.

A body language specialist identified the precise day Meghan Markle’s “turmoil” in the UK started to surface. Judi James, a body language specialist, made this discovery about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

She noted that “She constantly reaches for Harry’s hand and when she sits she reaches for it and places it in both of her hands,” according to the Daily Mail.

“Harry’s look seems more telling, though. When no one is looking, he can be observed sucking his lips, which suggests that he occasionally has wide eyes and is experiencing discomfort or stress.

Harry’s look seems more informative, though. When no one is looking, he can be observed sucking his lips, which suggests that he occasionally has wide eyes and is experiencing discomfort or stress.

Prince Harry’s body language in the docuseries was even mentioned by Ms. James, who described it as “extremely emphatic, unambiguous, and exact.”

In order to be forensic with his words and memories, he batons his messages with a hand with its fingers pursed together and uses that hand to make vertical and horizontal lines in the air.

He also begins to cry and lose control of his voice as he is filled with emotion. He claims that before having to leave and do their royal duties, they just had time for a “short embrace.”

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Airline Flybe cancelled all flights to and from the UK

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Airline Flybe
  • The airline has ceased trading.
  • This is the second time that the airline has gone into administration.
  • The High Court appointed joint administrators for Flybe Limited.

Airline Flybe: A statement on the airline’s website said it had “ceased trading” and told any passengers expecting to travel with it not to go to the airport.

It added that it would not be able to help passengers arrange alternative flights.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it would provide advice and information to those affected.

This marks the second time the airline has gone into administration in recent years.

It announced its intention to cease trading in March 2020, citing the coronavirus pandemic as a contributing factor.

Thyme Opco, a firm affiliated with US hedge fund Cyrus Capital, purchased the company and renamed it Flybe Limited.

The airline planned to resume operations in April 2022, with up to 530 flights per week across 23 routes.

Until its recent demise, it provided services from Belfast City, Birmingham, and Heathrow to airports throughout the United Kingdom, as well as Amsterdam and Geneva.

The High Court appointed joint administrators for Flybe Limited, according to a statement posted on the Flybe website early Saturday.

“Flybe has now ceased trading, and all Flybe flights from and to the UK have been canceled and will not be rescheduled,” the statement said.

“If you are scheduled to fly with Flybe today or in the future, please do not travel to the airport unless you have arranged an alternate flight with another airline.”

It went on to say that anyone who booked a flight with the airline through an intermediary should contact the intermediary directly.
“For the most up-to-date information, Flybe customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website or our Twitter feed.”

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Iran slaps new sanctions on EU, UK in tit-for-tat move

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Iran
  • Tehran’s response to months-long protests.
  • EU and Britain imposed new sanctions on Iran two days ago.
  • The sanctions include financial measures.

TEHRAN: Iran imposed sanctions on 34 European Union and British individuals and entities on Wednesday in response to similar measures taken in response to Tehran’s response to months-long protests.

The measures come just two days after the EU and Britain imposed new sanctions on Iran, which has been rocked by protests since the death of Mahsa Amini on September 16.

The sanctions include financial measures, such as the freezing of accounts and transactions in Tehran’s banking systems, as well as the “prohibition of visa issuance and entry” to Iran, according to a statement from the foreign ministry.

Tehran accuses the people and organizations of “supporting terrorism and terrorist groups, instigating and encouragement to terrorist acts and violence against Iranian people”.

It also accuses them of “interfering in the domestic affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran” as well as fomenting violence and unrest.

Sanctioned names include 25 from the EU and nine from the United Kingdom.

Those targeted include France’s Radio J, the group European Friends of Israel (EFI), and 22 individuals, including six members of the European Parliament.

Rasmus Paludan, a Swedish-Danish right-wing extremist who burned a copy of the Koran in Sweden on Saturday, sparked outrage from the Muslim world.

On Tuesday, Iran threatened retaliatory action after the EU imposed its fourth round of sanctions against the country since the protests began, placing 37 more officials and entities on an asset freeze and visa ban blacklist.

On the same day, Britain sanctioned five more Iranian officials, bringing the total number of individuals and organizations on its blacklist to 50.

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Britain and the EU are unlikely to change the Brexit deal significantly, despite issues

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Brexit
  • The UK and the EU are still discussing how to implement post-Brexit arrangements.
  • 56% of Britons said they would vote to rejoin the EU.
  • UK-EU relations are far from either settled or stable.

According to a report, Britain and the European Union are unlikely to fundamentally change their underlying Brexit agreement, necessitating sector-specific agreements for financial services, fisheries, and energy to avoid further disruption.

The report, published on Tuesday by the academic body UK In a Changing Europe (UKICE), stated that, despite a significant economic hit from leaving the EU and falling support for Brexit among the British public, major changes in the UK-EU relationship were unlikely.

“Prospects of such a renegotiation are slim,” UKICE Director Anand Menon said.

According to ICE polling from December, 56% of Britons said they would vote to rejoin the EU, up from 45% in February, and largely consistent with other polls.

However, Britain‘s ruling Conservative Party is committed to Brexit, and the opposition Labour Party is keen to avoid any suggestion that it would seek to unravel the post-2016 deal.

Post-Brexit

The UK and the EU are still discussing how to implement post-Brexit arrangements that accommodate the largely open border between Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK and EU member state Ireland.

“The immediate challenge is resolving the issues surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol, but even if this is accomplished, other deadlines and decisions, such as data exchange, electric cars, and fish, loom,” the report stated.

UKICE said UK-EU relations were “far from either settled or stable” but neither side seemed likely to want to reassess the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) signed in December 2020 after more than four years of political argument.

“There appears to be little political space on either side of the Channel for a major reconsideration of the relationship or renegotiation of the TCA in the short term,” it said, citing a lack of trust, the domestic politics of the UK and the benefits of the current deal to EU exporters.

“Changes to the relationship are likely to be slow and incremental in the immediate future,” it said, adding science research, energy security and emissions trading might be areas where the current relationship could be deepened.

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UK: Former PM Boris Johnson visits Ukraine

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Boris Johnson
  • Mr. Johnson toured the city’s outskirts before meeting Ukraine’s President.
  • He also went to the towns of Bucha and Borodyanka.
  • Mr. Johnson’s visit comes as Ukraine’s allies, including Germany.

Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has visited Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.

On Sunday, Mr. Johnson toured the city’s outskirts before meeting Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Conservative MP described his visit to the country as a “privilege” at Mr. Zelensky’s invitation.

The unannounced visit came as new questions about the former prime minister’s personal finances arose in the United Kingdom.

They derive from allegations that the BBC’s chairman, Richard Sharp, assisted Mr. Johnson in obtaining a credit guarantee while he was prime minister. Mr. Sharp was afterward appointed by the government to his position at the BBC.

Mr. Johnson was met in Kyiv by Mr. Zelensky and other Ukrainian ministers on his tour to Ukraine, during which he made no mention of the claims.

“Boris Johnson, a true friend of Ukraine, is welcomed in Kyiv. Boris, thank you for your help! “Mr. Zelensky messaged me on Telegram.

He also went to the towns of Bucha and Borodyanka, which are located northwest of Kyiv.

Following the defeat of Russian troops, scenes of mass destruction were discovered in both towns, including the bodies of civilians strewn along a street in Bucha.

“The suffering of the people of Ukraine has gone on for far too long,” Mr. Johnson said.

“The only way to end this war is for Ukraine to win – and win quickly,” Mr. Johnson said. “This is the moment to double down and to give the Ukrainians all the tools they need to finish the job.

“The sooner Putin is deposed, the better for Ukraine and the rest of the world,” he added.

He has visited Ukraine several times, both as Prime Minister and since leaving Downing Street.

Mr. Johnson’s visit is said to have the support of current UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Mr. Johnson’s visit comes as Ukraine’s allies, including Germany, face increased pressure to supply more tanks to the war-torn country.

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UK PM Rishi Sunak gets trolled for not wearing car seatbelt

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Rishi Sunak
  • British police are “looking into” a video that shows PM Rishi Sunak sitting without a seatbelt.
  • The maximum fine for not using seatbelts is $619.
  • The video was posted on Thursday for Sunak’s social media accounts.

British police will be “looking into” a video in which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is shown driving without a seatbelt, an “error of judgment” for which he has expressed regret.

In a video posted on Thursday for Sunak’s social media accounts, the seatbelt-free leader of the Conservative Party discusses his plans to spur economic growth while traveling to Lancashire in northern England.

The maximum fine for not using a seatbelt is 500 pounds ($619).

Authorities were “aware of the matter and we will be looking into it,” a Lancashire police official stated.

Sunak “completely accepts this was a mistake and apologizes,” according to a Downing Street spokesman.

The official continued, “The prime minister thinks everyone should use a seatbelt.

“It was a poor decision. He briefly took it out to record the tape you’ve seen, although he acknowledges that was a mistake.”

Sunak’s travel habits had already become a topic of conversation in the UK, with his political adversaries criticizing his recent use of a plane to make numerous brief flights.

“Rishi Sunak’s pricey private aircraft habit is costing the environment and the public dear,” said Angela Rayner, deputy leader of Labour.

Sunak used “various modes of transport based on what’s… the best use of his time to enable him to get around the entire UK,” a spokeswoman claimed in defense of the choice.

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