Britain: Latest News

With 10 days left for candidates to enter the Conservative party leadership race –and 20 before $300,000 worth in fees are due– what’s capturing the attention of those watching as of late are the crowds.

COLOMBO (News 1st);  Sri Lanka will need about $3 billion in external assistance within the next six months to help restore supplies of essential items, including fuel and medicines, to manage a severe economic crisis, the Finance Minister Ali Sabry stated in an interview with Reuters.The Finance Minister, stating that it is indeed a ‘Herculean task’, mentioned that Sri Lanka needs $3 billion in bridge financing while readying itself for negotiations with the IMF.Sri Lanka will look to restructure international sovereign bonds and seek a moratorium on payments, and is confident of negotiating with bondholders for an upcoming $1 billion payment in July.“The entire effort is not to go for a hard default, as we understand the consequences of a hard default.” Minister Sabry stated.J.P.

How is the new variant different from Omicron?

The honorary diploma was awarded to Mr. Cooper to celebrate his achievements at Storer College (which was a high school at the time) as a high school student from 1934 to 1938, and his subsequent successes.

Hindustan Times.

PTI report. 

READ MORE: Good Morning Britain viewers complain over interview as presenter issues continue with Kate Garraway and Adil Ray Earlier this week during the latest episode of her health series Your Body Uncovered, which sees participants come face-to-face with their medical conditions through the use of virtual reality technology, Kate spoke to a lady called Lynne whose husband, Paul, suffered a stroke three years ago. A former flood risk manager and keen adventurer, Paul has since been left with neurological challenges and suffers from symptoms including neuro fatigue.

COVID-19, as staffing shortages hamper sectors from health care to hospitality and retail — though the interruption remains more manageable than last winter’s Omicron variant surge.Dr. Kevin Smith, chief executive at the University Health Network in Toronto, said Thursday that cases have shot up in the past few days, “so much so that staffing is challenging once again.”Rachel Reinders, who heads administration at the Lieutenant’s Pump pub in Ottawa, says it shut down its lunchtime kitchen for a week in March because four cooks were on sick leave simultaneously.In Montreal, parka maker Quartz Co.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The European Union has requested Sri Lankan authorities to start in-depth discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the reforms needed to bring the Sri Lankan economy back to a sustainable path.They issued a joint statement on the recent developments in Sri Lanka together with the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States and with the diplomatic missions of Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, & the United Kingdom.

'XE' variant, were analysed by INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium) which inferred that the genomic constitution of this variant doesn't correlate with the genomic picture of 'XE'.

Coronavirus infection rates have dropped by more than 20 per cent according to the latest week on week data, as they continue to fall across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.

variant (XE) is that it is not a point of concern," Kang was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway has spoken about the toll that caring for her husband Derek Draper is taking on their relationship. During Wednesday's episode (April 6) of the BBC series Your Body Uncovered, Kate detailed how his ongoing battle with Covid had put a strain on their relationship.

Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin by Bharat Biotech of India, as one of the recognised vaccines for 1st and 2nd dose with effect from 10 April 2022 to further facilitate travel from India to Japan (sic)," the embassy took to Twitter to say.Government of Japan includes the indigenously developed and manufactured COVID-19 vaccine COVAXIN by Bharat Biotech of India, as one of the recognised vaccines for 1st and 2nd dose with effect from 10 April 2022 to further facilitate travel from India to Japan#IndiaJapanat70 pic.twitter.com/6Rk7iAXLxb

Covid-19," a source said.

COVID-19 vaccine dose, but with less than half of the population having received a third shot and most restrictions lifted across the country, experts are questioning the “mixed messaging” coming from public health officials.On Tuesday, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) published new guidance, recommending second boosters for older Canadians over the age of 70. Most provinces have no plans to reimpose COVID-19 restrictions as cases surge Several provinces, including Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta and Manitoba, have announced their plans to roll out fourth doses to older demographics.The rollout comes as Canadian provinces grapple with a sixth wave of COVID-19, which public health officials say is being driven by the highly-transmissible BA.2 subvariant of Omicron and lifting of restrictions including masking and proof of vaccination, in most settings.Experts say Canadians need more information and better communication from public health authorities on how this fourth dose could be helpful in fighting the latest Omicron surge.“I think a lot of the messaging right now is very mixed,” said Dr.

Covid-19 infection rates have fallen in all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. Trafford now has the highest coronavirus infection rate in Greater Manchester, replacing Stockport.

recently published their study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "Dogs were shaped during the course of domestication both in their behavior and in their anatomical features," the study’s authors said. Scientists said they noticed that the muscle responsible for raising the inner eyebrow is present in dogs but not as much as in wolves, which they descended from, according to the study. RELATED: Help needed: Ukrainian zoo continues evacuations after shelling amid Russian invasionThat movement produces what many call "puppy dog eyes." Scientists said humans produce the same movement when sad, which can trigger a similar response in dogs to show empathy. As part of the study, scientists compared and contrasted the facial features of gray wolves and domestic dogs. They found a difference in the levator anguli oculi medialis muscle immediately surrounding the eye.

Hong Kong as authorities scramble to add mortuary space in the global financial hub’s battle on COVID-19, which is swamping funeral parlours.“I have never seen so many bodies piled up together,” said funeral director Lok Chung, 37, who has been working round the clock, with about 40 funerals organised in March, up from roughly 15 in an average month.“I have never seen family members so upset, so disappointed, so helpless,” Chung, wearing a sober grey suit with a black polo T-shirt, told Reuters.Since the fifth wave of coronavirus hit the former British colony this year, it has reported more than a million infections and more than 8,000 deaths.Scenes of bodies stacked in emergency rooms next to patients have shocked many as places in mortuaries have filled up.

Air France planes are seen on the tarmac of the Charles-de-Gaulle airport in Roissy on April 16, 2010 in Paris, France. Roissy Charles-de- Gaulle airport has been closed due to the ash cloud caused by an Icelandic volcano that turned northern Europe PARIS - France's bureau that investigates air crashes and aviation safety said Wednesday it is looking into a "serious incident" involving an Air France flight from New York's JFK airport that suffered flight control problems on approach to its landing in Paris.The BEA said it has opened a safety investigation and that information from the so-called "black box" flight data and cockpit voice recorders is being analyzed.In a tweet, the bureau said the Boeing 777 suffered flight control issues on its final approach to Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport on Tuesday.A website maintained by aviation enthusiasts, AIRLIVE.net, posted audio of what it said were exchanges between air traffic control and pilots wrestling with the aircraft before finally landing trans-Atlantic flight AF011.The tail of a British Airways plane touched the tarmac during an aborted landing at Heathrow Airport in footage posted on Jan.

British Airways and EasyJet have cancelled hundreds of flights this week due to staff sickness related to coronavirus. And according to a blogpost on Martin Lewis' website moneysavingexpert.com, if you aren't booked onto another flight, you'll be due a refund within seven days.The website states that according to standard flight cancellation rules, which have now been written into UK law, if your flight is cancelled you are entitled to choose between a full refund or an alternative flight.Those who have booked a specific return deal with the same airline, who have one leg is cancelled, would expect a refund for both parts.The rules for UK flights state you're entitled to choose between:MSE says if you need to travel urgently then choose the rebooking option.

World-famous British singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran won a U.K. High Court copyright lawsuit over his 2017 hit song Shape of You. 

Public Heath Scotland is investigating the cause of a small number of cases of hepatitis in young children across the central belt of Scotland, including in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

new variant, which was first reported in the UK, appears to be 10% more transmissible than the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron, the WHO said.

KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraine’s intelligence unit on Saturday claimed that Ukrainian civilians in the Kharkiv region gave poisoned cakes to Russian soldiers, killing two of them and sickening 28 others. The Ministry of Defense’s intelligence agency shared a Facebook post on April 2 stating that civilians in the city of Izium in eastern Ukraine baked poisoned cakes for troops from Russia’s 3rd Motor Rifle Division."As a result, two invaders were killed at once, another 28 went to intensive care," the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s intelligence unit said, according to the English translation. It noted how the conditions of the hospitalized soldiers were unclear. "Ukrainians resist the occupiers by all available means," the intelligence unit added. FILE IMAGE - A man drives a car past the rubble of a destroyed building in the eastern Ukraine city of Kharkiv on April 2, 2022. (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images) The Ukrainian agency also claimed that about 500 more Russian soldiers were hospitalized "due to heavy alcohol poisoning of unknown origin." It said the Russian command had written off these cases as "not combat losses," according to the translation. The claims come as grisly images of civilians apparently killed by Russian forces in towns on the outskirts of Kyiv before they withdrew have caused a global outcry.

Covid variant XE is more transmissible than any other Covid strain so far, says World Health Organisation (WHO). The UN health agency had earlier this week flagged the emergence of the new coronavirus variant XE-- a hybrid of the BA.1 and BA.2 variations of Omicron.

WARNING: This video contains disturbing content. Viewer discretion is advised.

KATE Garraway shared an update on husband Derek Draper's health battle during an interview with The Bill star Chris Ellison.  The actor, best known for playing DCI Frank Burnside, is suffering from aphasia - the same speech debilitating illness as Hollywood action movie Bruce Willis. Aphasia is when parts of the brain to do with language are damaged and it can sometimes develop after a stroke or head injury.

British Columbians will no longer be required by law to show proof of vaccination to enter a restaurant, gym or event as of Friday, April 8. Dr.

Good Morning Britain's Kate Garraway has talked about how husband Derek's on-going battle with Covid-19 has left him struggling with speech. Kate's husband Derek, 54, returned home from hospital in April 2021 after spending a year in hospital fighting for his life after contracting Covid-19.  He is left with a number of complex health problems, and Kate has spoken about how he now needs round-the-clock care.

British Columbians will no longer be required to show proof of COVID-19 immunization to attend a concert, eat at a restaurant or go to the gym as of Friday, April 8.

Coronavirus infection rates are now falling in all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. It follows on from the trend across the UK, which is also seeing cases fall - however cases across the region still remain lower than the national average.

Spain and Italy have both confirmed they will extend Covid travel restrictions for at least another month.

Chocolate fans have been warned not to eat certain Kinder products that have been linked to a salmonella outbreak.

GOOD Morning Britain viewers were left heartbroken this morning as stricken The Bill star Chris Ellison struggled to speak on the show. The actor, best known for playing DCI Frank Burnside, is suffering from aphasia - the same speech debilitating illness as Hollywood action movie Bruce Willis.

NHS have shared an updated list of symptoms as headaches and diarrhoea are identified as Covid calling cards.Many symptoms are similar to those that you may experience with the flu or a cold, including a high temperature and chills, a continuous cough and a sore throat.The news comes as it was announced that a record 4.9 million people have the virus in the UK, and that figure could rise further over the coming weeks.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) officials say that is the highest number seen since its survey began at the end of April 2020, and that the surge in infections is being driven partly by the contagious Omicron BA.2 sub-variant and the fact that restrictions have been essentially eradicated.The main symptoms of Covid are still the same: a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.However as new strains emerge and the virus develops, other symptoms have also been reported to be linked with the sickness.According to the NHS the signs of COVID-19 that people should look out for also include:A note on the NHS website adds: "The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu."The NHS list had just three symptoms for almost two years, this is despite the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US having had longer symptom lists for some time."Why now make that change when it's been stuck on just the three for so long?" Kate Garraway asked Dr Hilary on GMB today (Monday, April 4). To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here .

Coronavirus infection rates have fallen in all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. After weeks of soaring rates, the number of cases in the region is down 9pc on last week.

Free Covid testing for most people in the UK ended this month as part of the government's plans to live with the virus. In England, lateral flow tests (LFTs) are no longer available for free, unless you are a patient in hospital, at high risk of getting seriously ill from coronavirus and eligible for Covid-19 treatments, or you work in an NHS or social care setting.

This Easter is the first school holiday since all coronavirus travel restrictions were lifted in the UK. Airlines have seen a boost in bookings for Easter getaways, with TUI revealing that Spain and Greece are among its most popular destinations.

COLOMBO (News 1st); “The armed forces of Sri Lanka would always comply with the Constitution and the Army is no exception,” Sri Lanka’s Army Commander General Shavendra Silva told Defence Advisers/Attaches of Sri Lanka-based High Commissions and embassies on Monday (4).“The Army as a professional outfit is always prepared to provide security and protection to the State as necessary,” said General Shavendra Silva.The meeting was meant to keep the foreign Defence Advisers /Attaches informed of the current situation.Captain Ian Keith Cain, Defence Adviser (Australia), Commander, M Shafil Bari, Defence Adviser, Bangladesh, Senior Colonel Wan Dong, Military, Naval and Air Attaché (China), Lieutenant Colonel Chang Qianjin, Assistant Military Naval and Air Attache, (China), Captain Vikas Sood, Defence Adviser (India), Lieutenant Colonel Punnet Sushill, Assistant Defence Adviser, (India), Colonel Homayou Ali Yari, Military Attaché, (Iran), Captain Gaku Fukaura, Defence / Security Attaché, (Japan), Colonel Ismail Naseer, Defence Adviser, (Maldives), Colonel Muhammad Safdar Khan, Defence Adviser, (Pakistan), Colonel Aleksey A Bondarev, Military, Naval & Air Attaché, (Russia), Colonel P.J Clayton, Defence Adviser, (United Kingdom) and Lieutenant Commander Richard Lister, Naval Attaché (United States of America) were present at this meeting. 

EasyJet has cancelled around 100 flights on Monday – including 62 from the UK – due to high levels of staff absence due to Covid.The budget airline claimed it had tried to offset the issue by using standby crew, but had to “make some cancellations in advance”.It comes as demand for airline travel skyrockets due to the beginning of the Easter school holidays.EasyJet claimed the cancellations only made up a small percentage of its Monday Schedule of around 1,645 flights.An EasyJet spokesperson, said: "Unfortunately it has been necessary to make some additional cancellations for today and tomorrow.“We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause."An EasyJet spokesperson confirmed that affected customers have been contacted.They have the option to either rebook an alternative flight or take a voucher or refund.The website adds: "If your flight is cancelled, there are several options available to you, which you can request quickly and easily by logging into Manage Bookings here on our website or via our easyJet App:EasyJet is one of Europes largest airline carriers.Airports are also struggling with staffing leading to long security and check-in queues.Passengers at Manchester Airport claims that long queues at check-in and security have caused some holidaymakers to miss their flight – and there have been long waits at the baggage reclaims carousels.Yesterday, traveller Donna Mayfield told the BBC that the experience was “horrendous” and another claimed to have seen both holidaymakers and staff members “in tears”.Manchester Airport apologised and noted that people’s experiences fell “below the standard” they aim for.A spokesperson commented: “Our whole industry is facing staff shortages and recruitment challenges at present,

As universal testing ended throughout the weekend, the NHS has updated its list of official Covid symptoms.

Airline EasyJet said it had been forced to cancel some flights to and from Britain after a new surge of Covid-19 left it facing higher than normal staff sickness levels.

Lateral Flow Tests are the quickest and easier way to test yourself for Covid-19 in the UK but the majority of universal free Covid testing was scrapped at the beginning of April.

EasyJet have caused travel chaos by cancelling around 100 flights scheduled for today (Monday April 4) due to Covid. The budget airline have made "some cancellations in advance" following an outbreak of the virus among staff, and have had to call on standby staff to prevent more.

Covid strain has been found in the UK – but boffins say it’s too early to say exactly how transmissible it really is.Top scientists at the UK Health Security Agency warned they were studying the new XE variant.They say it is a mutation of the BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron strains, meaning it is a “recombinant” as it is a combination of two other viral sources.But experts currently don’t know if it is more transmissible than previous strains that have previously wreaked havoc across the UK.There were 637 cases with the XE strain in England as of March 22, the health agency said.It means it would make up just a small fraction of cases reported with the latest data showing almost 70,000 people in England were positive for the virus on April 2.The health agency said initial growth rates showed that XE was not dissimilar from BA.2, according to Wales Online.It added: "As this estimate has not remained consistent as new data have been added, it cannot yet be interpreted as an estimate of growth advantage for the recombinant."Numbers were too small for the XE recombinant to be analysed by region.”Top government boffin Sir Patrick Vallance admitted the next Covid variant could be worse than Omicron.He said it would be a “mistake” to think the more the virus evolves, the less deadly it would become. Stay in the loop with all the latest news from the Daily Star by signing up to one of our free newsletters here. Although Covid cases may have peaked, there will be more hospitalisations and deaths to come from this current wave, Sir Patrick added.He told MPs that despite the vaccination programmes success at preventing deaths, it was not a "credible" strategy to give people booster jabs every four months.But it isn’t all doom and gloom for

A new Covid variant has been found in the UK, experts have confirmed. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it was looking at the XE variant, which is a mutation of the BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron strains.

Drinking even a small amount of alcohol each week could be a risk to your health, according to a new study.