UK

United Kingdom Struggles With Rapid Test Rush
News, UK

United Kingdom Struggles With Rapid Test Rush

The British authorities are struggling to keep up with the demand for rapid tests. Citizens can request these via a government site. However, according to Sky News, the UKHSA health service warns that they may be temporarily unavailable there due to "exceptionally high demand".   The British authorities are providing rapid tests on a large scale to the population in the hope of detecting more infections in time. The tests can be ordered online and then delivered to your home. They can also be picked up at particular collection points in libraries. Britons can also go to the pharmacy for rapid tests. The country has recently reported record numbers of corona infections, which is also increasing pressure on testing capacity. Residents of parts of England were temporarily unable to or...
British Court Overturns Blockade of Assange’s Extradition to US
News, UK, US

British Court Overturns Blockade of Assange’s Extradition to US

The United States is one step closer to extraditing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from the United Kingdom. The British court ruled against the extradition in January because of the risk that Assange would commit suicide, but that verdict was overturned on appeal.   The Americans appealed because they believed that Assange was mentally capable of standing trial in the US. It has also been promised that Assange will not end up in a maximum-security prison and that he will be allowed to serve a prison sentence in his home country Australia. The extradition request must be re-examined by the court, but Assange's lawyers can still challenge the ruling. The latter will happen "as soon as possible", according to Stella Moris, Assange's fiancĂ©. She speaks of a "gigantic blunder". Report...
British Prime Minister Johnson in Narrow Shoes After Video about Christmas Party in Downing Street 10
News, UK

British Prime Minister Johnson in Narrow Shoes After Video about Christmas Party in Downing Street 10

A leaked video of a Downing Street "pseudo press conference" has discredited British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. There was indeed a Christmas party in the official residence last year. Of course, the prime minister was not there himself, but it certainly did not go according to the corona rules that he had just issued.   At a pseudo press conference about the Christmas party of a year ago, the then press spokesman for British Prime Minister Johnson made a slip of the mind. Indeed, there was a large staff party on December 18, 2020, with "cheese and wine" and "no social distancing". That says that spokesman Allegra Stratton and other staff members rehearse a press conference on December 22, 2020. The video has now been leaked via the ITV channel. The video is front-page news in al...
British Prime Ministers Attend Funeral of Parliamentarian Stabbed to Death
News, UK

British Prime Ministers Attend Funeral of Parliamentarian Stabbed to Death

The British prime minister and three former prime ministers attended the funeral of parliamentarian David Amess, stabbed to death in October. Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron and John Major sat in the front row of the church.   A message from Pope Francis was also recited during the funeral mass. The Pope offered condolences to the family of 69-year-old Amess and praised the conservative parliamentarian's dedication. "It was evident in his concern for the poor and disadvantaged people," Francis said. The highest-ranking Catholic cleric in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, led the service at Westminster Cathedral. Amess was a committed Catholic. But, according to Sky News, those in attendance laughed when the priest of parliament told a story about Amess eating a...
Queen Elizabeth Has to Rest Again from Doctors and Misses Major Climate Conference
News, UK

Queen Elizabeth Has to Rest Again from Doctors and Misses Major Climate Conference

Queen Elizabeth II of England does not appear to have fully recovered since her hospitalization last week. So once again, the 95-year-old monarch cancels an important event because her doctors make her rest.   Last week, Buckingham Palace shared photos of Elizabeth showing her return to work. This was the first time she returned to action since her hospitalization last week, forcing her to cancel a visit to Northern Ireland. She welcomed several ambassadors to the palace via video call from Windsor Castle. Many people were shocked by these images because the queen did not look very good. Buckingham Palace reports that Elizabeth has "reluctantly" decided not to attend the COP26 climate conference, a major UN meeting where the goals of the Paris climate agreement are discussed. Earl...
London Police Stop Investigating Prince Andrew in Abuse Case
News, UK

London Police Stop Investigating Prince Andrew in Abuse Case

The London police stopped their investigation into the abuse case in which the British Prince Andrew (61), the second son of the Queen, is said to be involved.   Although, he is being sued in the United States by a victim of American billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew also abused her. Therefore, it is not entirely clear why the London police will not take further steps. Virginia Giuffre (38) is an alleged victim of American billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, a former friend of Prince Andrew. Epstein and his British partner Ghislaine Maxwell are said to have recruited underage girls and placed them in a network of sexual exploitation. Although Epstein was charged in the US two years ago, he died in his cell awaiting trial. Giuffre says she was introduced to Prince Andrew through ...
Prince Andrew Allowed to View Secret Document in Abuse Lawsuit
News, UK

Prince Andrew Allowed to View Secret Document in Abuse Lawsuit

The British Prince Andrew (61), son of the Queen, can view a sealed court document that, according to his lawyer, can exempt him from all liability in an abuse case. However, the prince has been sued in the United States by Virginia Giuffre (38).   She is a victim of billionaire Jeffrey Epstein and says Prince Andrew also abused her. Prince Andrew's lawyer can now view the confidential settlement that Giuffre previously reached with Epstein. Virginia Giufrre (38) is one of the alleged victims of American billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, a former friend of Prince Andrew. Epstein and his partner Ghislaine Maxwell are said to have recruited underage girls and placed them in a sexual exploitation and abuse network. Although Epstein was charged in the US two years ago, he died in his cell a...
Boris Johnson: 127 Visa Applications by Foreign Truckers
Business, News, UK

Boris Johnson: 127 Visa Applications by Foreign Truckers

So far, only 127 foreign truckers have applied for a temporary work permit in the UK to address significant shortages of truck drivers. So said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.   According to him, the low number of applications has to do with the worldwide shortage of truckers. The British government has made 5000 temporary visas available for foreign truckers. Drivers from mainland Europe don't seem very eager to come in large numbers. This may have to do with the relatively short duration of those visas. However, there is also great demand for truckers in other countries of the European Union, where no visa is required. As a result, a trip to the United Kingdom may be less attractive. Due to the shortage of drivers, many British petrol stations cannot be supplied, and shops...
Longest-Lasting Decline in UK Retail Sales in 25 Years
Business, News, UK

Longest-Lasting Decline in UK Retail Sales in 25 Years

UK retail sales unexpectedly fell for the fourth month in a row in August. That is the most prolonged consecutive contraction since measurements began 25 years ago.   Consumers bought less in supermarkets and department stores, for example, now that more people could go to restaurants and events again. Instead, Britons spent more on clothing and petrol-only on holiday trips and returning to the office. Economists had expected small growth across the board, but the contraction was 0.9 percent in August compared to a month earlier. The decline was 2.8 percent every month in July, 0.1 percent in June and 1.4 percent in May. Concerns about consumer spending in the United Kingdom are increasing due to sharply rising prices and an increase in the number of corona infections. Retailers a...
Boris Johnson Under Fire for Outrageous Joke about Thatcher and the Coal Mines
News, UK

Boris Johnson Under Fire for Outrageous Joke about Thatcher and the Coal Mines

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under fire after a visit to Scotland Thursday. Johnson made a joke that has gone down the wrong way with many compatriots. "Shameful", Scottish politicians call it.   Johnson had just visited a wind farm in Scotland's Moray East on Thursday when some journalists asked him about the energy transition in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister replied that a lot of progress had already been made, adding a joke. "Thanks to Margaret Thatcher, who has closed a large number of coal mines across the country, we have started early and are now getting rid of that coal quickly," he said with a laugh. But the closure of the coal mines is not something to be laughed at by the Scots. It was the UK's main industrial sector, and when Thatcher decided to clos...