Britain hosts climate and environment ministers from 51 countries on Sunday for “critical” climate talks ahead of November’s COP26 summit in Glasgow. British minister Alok Sharma, President of COP26, will lead the two-day meeting, which London said will address “key issues that require resolution” at the summit. Sharma “hopes to build common ground and sketch […]
Britain
France asks EU’s Frontex to guard Europe’s northern border
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Saturday that he has asked the EU border agency Frontex, which has long been guarding Europe’s southern borders, not to neglect the northern coastline, either, in the fight against illegal immigration. “I myself have contacted Frontex, which is predominantly taking care of southern Europe, and asked them to […]
Australia to deport UK’s Katie Hopkins over virus breach
Australia has cancelled far-right British commentator Katie Hopkins’s visa after she boasted about flouting the country’s strict hotel quarantine rules, a senior official said Monday. Hopkins had flown into Sydney to appear on a reality television show when she posted a video on Instagram talking about answering the door naked and maskless to workers delivering […]
UK govt in Covid confusion ahead of ‘freedom day’
The UK government was thrown into turmoil on Sunday by its own rules on Covid self-isolation just as it controversially prepares to ditch pandemic curbs in England. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and finance minister Rishi Sunak will be working remotely in the week ahead after they came into contact with a person infected with Covid, […]
Anger as England extends restrictions on France travel
Frustrated holidaymakers and travel industry leaders rounded on the UK government Saturday after a last-minute change maintained quarantine for residents returning to England from France. From Monday, the government plans to lift most pandemic curbs on everyday life in England, and fully vaccinated residents will no longer have to quarantine after travel to “amber list” […]
UK health minister gets Covid ahead of ‘freedom day’
British Health Secretary Sajid Javid said Saturday he had tested positive for Covid-19 and was self-isolating — just as his government prepares to jettison most pandemic restrictions in England. “I was feeling a bit groggy last night, so I took a lateral flow test this morning and it’s come out positive,” he said in a […]
UK publishes plans to decarbonise transport by mid-century
Britain unveiled plans Wednesday to decarbonise its transport systems, phasing out the sale of all polluting road vehicles by 2040 and committing the aviation sector to a 2050 net zero emissions target. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the proposals would provide a “credible pathway” for the whole transport sector to reach net zero by mid-century, as […]
UK inflation accelerates close to three-year peak
Britain’s annual inflation rate has jumped close to a three-year peak as consumer prices accelerate on easing coronavirus restrictions, official data showed Wednesday, fanning global inflationary fears. The Consumer Prices Index hit 2.5 percent in June from 2.1 percent in May, the Office for National Statistics revealed in a statement one day after news of […]
UK fintech firm Wise worth £8bn on London market debut
British financial technology firm Wise entered the London stock market Wednesday, valued at £8.0 billion ($11.1 billion, 9.3 billion euros) in a key post-Brexit test for the sector. The global money transfer specialist launched at £8.0 per share under a so-called direct listing, which does not seek to raise capital but enables public trading. The […]
UK supermarket Morrisons set for mega takeover
The UK supermarket sector, which has benefitted hugely from a shift to online shopping during the pandemic, is set for a further shakeup with Morrisons heading for a multi-billion-pound takeover. Britain’s fourth biggest supermarket on Saturday said it had accepted a £6.3-billion ($8.7-billion, 7.3-billion-euro) takeover offer from a consortium of investment groups. And on Monday, […]