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Stop Panicking Over Trump—It’s Europe’s Wake-Up Call, Says Boris Johnson

February 19, 2025, 11:27 pm

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on European leaders not to interpret Donald Trump’s inflammatory remarks about Ukraine literally, but rather as an attempt to push them into action rather than as a statement of historical fact.

In a Tuesday night press conference, Trump accused Ukraine of waging its own war against Russia and demanded new elections in Kyiv. He also accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of being “grossly incompetent” and falsely stated his approval rating was only 4%.

Johnson, who is also a strong supporter of Ukraine and has previously commended Trump, defended the US president on Wednesday. On X, he downplayed Trump’s allegations but claimed they were meant to be a tactical measure to spur Europe into more engagement.

Of course Ukraine didn’t initiate the war no more than America attacked Japan at Pearl Harbor,” Johnson wrote. “And of course, an invaded country shouldn’t be conducting elections. There wasn’t a general election in Britain between 1935 and 1945.” He also added that Zelenskyy’s approval ratings were on par with Trump’s.

Johnson also emphasized that America has located roughly $300 billion worth of blocked Russian funds, the majority held in Belgium, that can be employed to benefit Ukraine and offset Washington’s financial contributions. Johnson has accused countries such as France and Belgium of frustrating attempts at freeing up this money.

“Does Europe hold it up preventing unfreezing Putin’s cash?” he queried. “Crazy. Get real and urgently.

Since stepping down as president in 2022, Johnson has not only worked vocally to generate Republican backing for Ukraine but last week also shared a meal with Trump to deliberate on the conflict. He recently denounced European leaders for their “headless chicken-ism” regarding Russia-US diplomacy, calling upon them to “man up and step up” in meeting the crisis.

Boris Johnson Makes Surprise Appearance in Ukrainian Comedy Film ‘Train to 31 December’

December 28, 2024, 5:23 pm

Boris Johnson, the former UK Prime Minister, has made an unexpected appearance in the new Ukrainian comedy film Train to 31 December. Taking a break from his post-political endeavors, Johnson joins the cast of the lighthearted movie, sparking curiosity about his future career choices.

Boris Johnson has taken time out of whatever it is he does for a living to appear in new Ukrainian comedy film ‘Train to 31 December.’ Perhaps he could follow fellow Ukrainian comedian Vladimir Zelensky into politics? Nah, that would be absolutely catastrophic for everyone. pic.twitter.com/fLt6wboAVD

— RT (@RT_com) December 28, 2024

The appearance comes amid growing global attention on the film industry in Ukraine, with several well-known figures from around the world lending their talents to the country’s entertainment scene. Johnson, known for his charismatic yet controversial leadership style, plays a role that is expected to add a humorous touch to the film’s plot.

While some are drawing comparisons to fellow Ukrainian comedian-turned-politician Volodymyr Zelensky, who transitioned from comedy to the presidency, others are skeptical about Johnson pursuing a similar political path. One observer remarked, “Nah, that would be absolutely catastrophic for everyone.”

As of now, Johnson’s future political ambitions remain unclear, with many questioning whether a move into politics would be in his best interest.

Boris Johnson Alleges Bathroom Bugging Incident with Netanyahu

October 4, 2024, 3:24 pm

Allegations from Johnson’s New Book

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has revealed in his upcoming book, Unleashed, that a listening device was discovered in his bathroom following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2017. The meeting took place at the British Foreign Office when Johnson was serving as the UK’s foreign secretary, according to The Telegraph.

Details of the Incident

Johnson recounts that during the meeting, Netanyahu—whom Johnson refers to as “Bibi”—excused himself to use a bathroom, which Johnson likened to “the gents in a posh London club” located in a “secret annexe.” After Netanyahu’s visit to the bathroom, a regular security sweep reportedly uncovered a listening device in the room.

Johnson writes in his book: “Thither Bibi repaired for a while, and it may or may not be a coincidence but I am told that later, when they (security) were doing a regular sweep for bugs, they found a listening device in the thunderbox.”

Johnson’s Comments and Broader Implications

When asked for more information, Johnson told The Telegraph, “I think everything you need to know about that episode is in the book.”

This revelation comes amid broader suspicions from around the same time when Israel was accused of placing listening devices in the White House.

Boris Johnson Claims Queen Elizabeth Battled Bone Cancer Before Her Death

October 2, 2024, 3:46 pm

In his upcoming memoir, Unleashed, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson claims that Queen Elizabeth II suffered from bone cancer during the last year of her life. Johnson describes the queen’s deteriorating health in the year leading up to her death on September 8, 2022, at 96.

Queen’s Health in Final Days

Johnson recalls seeing the queen just two days before her death, noting her frail appearance but sharp mental state. “She seemed pale and more stooped, and she had dark bruising on her hands and wrists,” Johnson wrote, adding that she was determined to fulfill her duties despite her health struggles.

Cancer Battle Allegedly Lasted a Year

According to Johnson, the queen had been battling bone cancer for over a year. He wrote that her doctors were concerned about a rapid decline, which ultimately occurred. While these claims have not been confirmed, Buckingham Palace has refrained from commenting on the matter.

The queen’s last public engagement took place on September 6, 2022, when she met with newly elected Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle. Johnson highlighted her resilience during this time, praising her mental sharpness despite her physical challenges.

Buckingham Palace has previously stated that Queen Elizabeth died of natural causes, without mentioning any specific illnesses.

Boris Johnson Memoir Reveals Startling Claims About Royal Family And UK Politics

October 1, 2024, 12:30 pm

Queen Elizabeth II’s Bone Cancer Revelation

In a stunning disclosure, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has claimed that Queen Elizabeth II had been suffering from bone cancer for over a year before her death. Johnson says he had known about the Queen’s illness when he resigned as prime minister in September 2022. The Queen, who passed away just two days after his resignation, had “old age” listed as the official cause of death, with no mention of cancer.

Johnson recalls his final meeting with the Queen, describing her as “pale and more stooped,” with dark bruising on her hands, which he attributed to intravenous treatments. Despite her illness, Johnson wrote that her mood remained unaffected, and she continued to flash her signature smile throughout their conversation.

The Queen’s health, traditionally a closely guarded secret, had not been publicly discussed, making Johnson’s comments unprecedented. He revealed that she had known her time was limited but remained determined to carry out her final official duty overseeing the transition of the British government from Johnson to his successor, Liz Truss.

Tensions with Macron and Cameron Over Brexit

Johnson also shares explosive details about his strained relationships with French President Emmanuel Macron and former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, both of whom he claims retaliated against him for his stance on Brexit.

Johnson accused Macron of “weaponising” irregular migration across the English Channel to undermine Brexit. He alleged that Macron was willing to turn a blind eye to human smuggling operations as a way to punish the UK for leaving the European Union (EU), which the French president viewed as a significant blow to his vision of European unity.

The former prime minister also detailed his interactions with David Cameron, revealing that Cameron had attempted to bribe him into changing his pro-Brexit stance. Johnson claimed that Cameron offered him top Cabinet positions in exchange for supporting the Remain campaign. When Johnson refused, Cameron allegedly threatened to “f*** you up for ever.” Johnson’s decision to stick to his pro-Brexit stance, despite these pressures, ultimately positioned him as a key figure in the movement.

The ‘Aquatic Raid’ to Secure COVID-19 Vaccines

In one of the more bizarre anecdotes from the book, Johnson reveals that he once considered an “aquatic raid” on a vaccine warehouse in the Netherlands during the global scramble for COVID-19 vaccines. This plan was devised at the height of a supply dispute between the UK and the EU, which had resulted in vaccine shortages.

Johnson described the plan as “nuts” but admitted that he had discussed the idea with senior military officials in March 2021. The raid would have involved UK forces seizing vaccine supplies from the Netherlands, a NATO ally. However, military officials advised Johnson that such a mission would be impossible to carry out undetected and would cause diplomatic turmoil.

Although the idea was eventually abandoned, Johnson’s willingness to entertain such extreme measures reflects the sense of urgency and desperation felt by many world leaders at the time as they struggled to secure vaccine doses for their populations.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

Boris Johnson’s memoir promises to be a deeply personal account of his time in office, filled with revelations that offer new insights into his relationships with world leaders, his political decisions, and his handling of major global crises. While the book is expected to attract significant attention for its controversial claims, it also serves as a reflection of the tumultuous period in which Johnson served as prime minister.

With extracts already generating headlines, ‘Unleashed’ is set to spark debate not only about Johnson’s legacy but also about the events that shaped the world during his time in office.

Boris Johnson Attempted To Persuade Prince Harry To Stay As Working Royal, New Memoir Reveals

September 27, 2024, 6:36 pm

In his upcoming memoir “Unleashed”, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reveals his unsuccessful attempt to convince Prince Harry to remain a working member of the Royal Family. The candid account, serialized in The Daily Mail, recalls Johnson being tasked with delivering a “manly pep talk” to the Duke of Sussex in January 2020, just as Harry was preparing to step down from his royal duties.

The conversation took place during the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London, where Johnson and Prince Harry met privately for around 20 minutes. According to Johnson, the mission was “totally hopeless” as the Duke had already resolved to leave royal life behind. A close friend of Prince Harry also confirmed that Harry was “unpersuadable” at that point.

Despite Johnson’s efforts, Prince Harry was firm in his decision. The meeting came just one day after Harry publicly stated he had “no other option” but to step down from his official role. Reflecting on the encounter, Johnson humorously noted that while he managed to lead the UK out of the European Union, he couldn’t convince Prince Harry to remain within the royal fold.

The memoir suggests that both Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street had enlisted Johnson to persuade Prince Harry, who was considered an asset to the UK. However, the former prime minister ultimately admitted that his attempt to sway the prince had been in vain.

Ambani’s Book 7-Star Stoke Park For Two Months For Anant-Radhika’s London Celebrations

July 25, 2024, 12:58 pm

Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding celebrations are set to continue in London, as Mukesh Ambani has reportedly booked the seven-star Stoke Park hotel for two months. The booking, according to The Sun, will extend until September, hosting a series of post-wedding festivities.

High-Profile Guests Expected
Prince Harry and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson are expected to attend the celebrations. The lavish wedding of Anant Ambani, the younger son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant took place in Mumbai on July 12, with pre-wedding events costing an estimated $500 million.

About Stoke Park
Reliance Industries acquired the lease for Stoke Park estate in Buckinghamshire for £57 million in 2021. The estate includes a mansion, golf courses, and tennis courts. Due to the lease’s commercial use terms, the estate must operate as a commercial property, which led to friction with the local community when it was closed to the public but open to the Ambani family.

Solution and Arrangements
To address this issue, Mukesh Ambani booked the hotel exclusively for two months, asking around 850 golf club members to avoid the premises during this period. Security is reportedly heightened, with preparations for high-profile guests including Boris Johnson, Tony Blair, Cherie Blair, and Prince Harry.

Stay updated on the latest developments in the high-profile celebrations and exclusive events hosted by the Ambani family.

Traffic Restrictions in BKC for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s Wedding Spark Outrage

July 12, 2024, 11:47 am

Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding will be held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai. Due to the event, several companies in BKC have asked their employees to work remotely from July 12 to July 15 to avoid traffic congestion. Roads near the wedding venue, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance conglomerate, will be open only for “event vehicles” from 1 pm to midnight during these dates. These extensive traffic restrictions have caused frustration among locals and internet users.

The police have classified the wedding as a “public event” due to the attendance of high-profile international and Indian celebrities.

The wedding follows months of extravagant pre-wedding celebrations held in India and abroad. Mukesh and Nita Ambani hosted two grand events—one in Gujarat’s Jamnagar in March and another on a luxury cruise in Europe. Anant Ambani will marry Radhika Merchant on Friday after a series of events in Mumbai over the last two weeks. This weekend’s celebrations will feature global personalities like Kim Kardashian and her sister Khloe Kardashian, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-Yong, and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Last week, Justin Bieber performed at their Sangeet ceremony.

Hotel room rates in BKC have soared to as much as ₹91,000 per night for this weekend.

Mumbai Traffic Restrictions from July 12 to July 15:

– There will be no entry for vehicular traffic on Kurla MTNL Road from Laxmi Tower Junction through Dhirubai Ambani Square Avenue Lane-3, Indian Oil Petrol Pump, and Diamond Junction to Hotel Trident.
– Vehicles from One BKC should turn left at Laxmi Tower Junction, proceed to Diamond Gate No. 8, then turn right at NABARD Junction, continue to Diamond Junction, and head towards BKC via Dhirubai Ambani Square and the Indian Oil Petrol Pump.
– No entry at Dhirubai Ambani Square Avenue/Indian Oil Petrol Pump for vehicles coming from Kurla, MTNL Junction, Platina Junction, and Diamond Junction towards the BKC connector bridge.
– These vehicles should take a left at NABARD Junction, proceed from Diamond Gate No. 8, turn right at Laxmi Tower Junction, and continue to BKC.

Tony Blair and Boris Johnson to Grace Anant Ambani And Radhika Merchant’s Mumbai Wedding

July 12, 2024, 11:17 am

Former UK Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson have arrived in Mumbai to celebrate the lavish wedding of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and MD of Reliance Industries Limited, and Radhika Merchant, the daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant The grand event is being hosted at the Jio World Convention Centre today.

Boris Johnson was seen arriving at Kalina airport, Mumbai, waving to photographers before getting into his car. He was casually dressed in a printed shirt and trousers.

See Post:

#WATCH | Former British PM Tony Blair arrives in Mumbai for the wedding of Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant. pic.twitter.com/bFdFRMGXL6

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2024

Other notable early arrivals included American reality TV stars Kim and Khloe Kardashian, who landed at a private airport in Mumbai on Thursday night. Samsung CEO Han Jong Hee also arrived in the city, ready to join the three-day celebrations.

The guest list for the wedding is filled with prominent figures such as former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and his wife Yoo Soon-taek. Expected attendees include futurist Peter Diamandis, artist Jeff Koons, self-help guru Jay Shetty, former US Secretary of State John Kerry, and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The couple’s pre-wedding festivities began in March in Jamnagar, where over a thousand guests were entertained over three days. The events featured performances by stars like Diljit Dosanjh, Arijit Singh, and even pop icon Rihanna. As July approached, traditional pre-wedding rituals continued, including the Mameru-Mausulu ceremony, where the bride’s maternal uncles bestowed her with gifts.

In Mumbai, Kokilaben Ambani, Anant’s grandmother, hosted a dandiya night, bringing together family and friends. An extravagant sangeet night followed at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, with pop sensation Justin Bieber performing for the couple. Bollywood celebrities such as Salman Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh also performed, along with heartfelt performances from the Ambani family.

This wedding promises to be a blend of traditional rituals and international glamour, reflecting the grandeur of the Ambani family.

Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant’s Wedding: Former British PM Tony Blair Reaches Mumbai : Watch

July 12, 2024, 9:59 am

Former UK Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair arrived in Mumbai on Friday to attend the wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant.

Previously, high-profile celebrities such as Kim and Khloe Kardashian, boxer Mike Tyson, and global business moguls had also made their way to Mumbai for the occasion.

#WATCH | Former British PM Tony Blair arrives in Mumbai for the wedding of Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant. pic.twitter.com/bFdFRMGXL6

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2024

After a grand four-month-long series of pre-wedding celebrations, Anant Ambani, 29, is set to marry Radhika Merchant, daughter of pharmaceutical tycoons Viren and Shaila Merchant.

A three-day pre-wedding event was previously held in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, the hometown of the Ambani family and the location of their conglomerate’s major oil refining complex. The event hosted around 1,200 guests, including notable figures such as Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft’s Bill Gates, BlackRock co-founder Larry Fink, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, and Saudi Aramco chairman Yasir Al Rumayyan. The festivities also featured a performance by Rihanna.

Bollywood stars are also expected to be part of the celebrations. The pre-wedding events included appearances by Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, and Alia Bhatt. Veteran actors Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan are also anticipated to attend, along with Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Sara Ali Khan, as reported.

From Boris Johnson To Khloe Kardashian: Full Guest List You Need To Know For Ambani’s Wedding

July 11, 2024, 1:48 pm

This weekend, all eyes are on Mumbai as Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani prepare to exchange vows at the lavish Jio World Centre in Bandra Kurla Centre (BKC). The much-anticipated wedding festivities promise a blend of tradition and glamour, attracting a high-profile guest list from across the globe.

Who’s Who at the Wedding?

The guest list reads like a who’s who of global celebrities, politicians, and business leaders. Reality TV sensations Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian are set to grace the occasion, alongside visionary futurist Peter Diamandis and renowned artist Jeff Koons. Self-help guru Jay Shetty will also be in attendance, adding a touch of inspiration to the celebrations.

Global Leaders and Business Tycoons

Adding to the prestigious gathering are former UK Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, former US Secretary of State John Kerry, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The event will also host dignitaries including Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan, IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Business Moguls Galore

The wedding will see a strong presence of top business figures, including HSBC Group Chairman Mark Tucker, Aramco CEO Amin Nasser, Morgan Stanley MD Michael Grimes, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, and many others. Leaders from Samsung Electronics, Lockheed Martin, BP, Temasek, and Ericsson will also join the festivities, making it a congregation of global economic powerhouses.

Meticulously Planned Celebrations

The celebrations will commence with the auspicious Shubh Vivah ceremony on Friday, July 12, followed by Shubh Aashirwad on Saturday, July 13. The grand finale, Mangal Utsav, or the wedding reception, is scheduled for Sunday, July 14. Each event is designed to honor Hindu Vedic customs while exuding opulence and grandeur.

Stay tuned as Mumbai gears up for what promises to be a wedding for the ages, blending tradition with the glitter of global influence. Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani’s union is set to captivate not just India, but the world.

UK ex-PM Boris Johnson faces new Covid law breach claims

May 24, 2023, 11:15 pm

Boris Johnson, who was forced to resign as British prime minister last year in the wake of controversies including the partygate scandal of COVID law-breaking parties at Downing Street, has been referred to police over new claims that he may have breached pandemic lockdown rules.
While Johnson has dismissed the allegations as “bizarre and unacceptable”, the UK Cabinet Office is said to have forwarded his ministerial diary entries from the time over concerns about certain visits to his prime ministerial country residence during the lockdown.
The Times newspaper, which first reported the development on Tuesday, said Johnson, 58, has been referred to Thames Valley Police because his ministerial diary revealed visits by family and friends to Chequers at a time when there were strict restrictions on inter-household mixing to contain the spread of coronavirus.
“In line with obligations in the Civil Service Code, this material has been passed to the relevant authorities, and it is now a matter for them,” the Cabinet Office said.
It said the information came to light during the process of preparing evidence for submission to the COVID inquiry, an independent review of the UK’s handling of the pandemic and its impact. Johnson, however, complained of a “politically motivated stitch-up” and insisted that all events in question were within the rules either because they were held outdoors or came within another “lawful exception”.
“The assertion by the Cabinet Office that there have been further COVID rule breaches is totally untrue,” Johnson’s spokesperson said.

Former UK PM Johnson claims Russian President Putin “threatened him with missile strike”

January 30, 2023, 6:37 pm

Boris Johnson, former prime minister of the United Kingdom, said that Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, had “threatened him with a missile attack in an unprecedented phone call” before Russia’s incursion in Ukraine.

The exchange’s specifics have been made public in next Monday’s airing of the BBC programme “Putin Vs. the West.” In the documentary, Putin’s contacts with international leaders were analysed. Johnson said that the statement was made after he declared that the conflict would be an “absolute catastrophe” during a “very long” call in February 2022, according to the BBC programme.

According to the documentary, “He threatened me at one point, and he said, ‘Boris, I don’t want to hurt you but, with a missile, it would only take a minute’ or something like that,” Johnson quoted Putin as saying.

“But I think from the very relaxed tone that he was taking, the sort of air of detachment that he seemed to have, he was just playing along with my attempts to get him to negotiate,” he added.

In an effort to deter Russian military action, Boris Johnson informed Putin that Ukraine will not join NATO “for the foreseeable future.”

UK Defence Secretary ben Wallace’s Visit to Moscow on February 11, 2022, to meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu.

Wallace left Moscow with guarantees that Russia wouldn’t strike Ukraine, according to the documentary. Both parties understood it was a falsehood, though. Boris Johnson, a former UK prime minister, famously declared sanctions on Russia. Johnson provided Ukraine with both military and humanitarian aid after Moscow started its invasion on February 24 of last year. Additionally, he went to Kyiv to demonstrate his support for Ukraine in its current conflict with Russia.

The Battle between Truss and Sunak for the UK’s new PM

September 5, 2022, 5:17 pm

In the early hours, the streets were quiet and calm, but as soon as the time of announcement came closer, the roads got chaotic with the day’s tourists, media personnel covering the event, and a handful of protestors. Metropolitan police manned the streets, and officers with machine guns and bright neon vests dotted every street from outside the parliament down to 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British premier.

After Boris Johnson announced his resignation in July, the race for the new Prime Minister was triggered. The reason for the resignation was a slew of scandals that led to dozens of ministers and government officials quitting in record time. Johnson offered to stay on as caretaker prime minister and is expected to officially end his term on Tuesday after visiting the Queen at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she is currently residing.

After several rounds of voting in July by Conservative Party members in parliament, Truss and former chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak were the final two left in the race.

After nearly a month of postal ballot voting by the party’s grassroots members (till 5 September, 2022), the next prime minister and party leader is set to be announced.

Polls say that, despite Sunak’s unbeaten lead in all the previous rounds, Truss is expected to win the final contest. But locals are not impressed. At the intersection of Parliament Street, protest group SODEM were present by mid-morning with several signs, one of which read, “Corrupt Tory Government Liars, Cheats, and Charlatans Get Them Out Now. ” They demanded a general election and played what could be understood as resistance music, including the famous Italian protest song Bella Ciao and The Lunatics by British pop band Fun Boy Three.

In a short while now, the people of the United Kingdom and the whole world will come to know about the election results of who’s going to be the next Prime Minister after Boris Johnson. The counting is still going on and the results are awaited.

Boris Johnson cancels Republic Day visit over Covid crisis in UK

January 6, 2021, 2:19 am

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled his Republic Day visit to India, hours after he announced a fresh lockdown in the United Kingdom over the new Covid-19 strain that affected thousands of people in the UK.

Johnson was to be the chief guest at this year’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi, which was also to be his first bilateral visit after the UK’s departure from the European Union in December. The British PM had accepted the invitation last month.

“The prime minister spoke to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi this morning, to express his regret that he will be unable to visit India later this month as planned,” read a statement from his Downing Street office.

“In light of the national lockdown announced last night, and the speed at which the new coronavirus variant is spreading, the Prime Minister said that it was important for him to remain in the UK so he can focus on the domestic response to the virus,” the statement read.

“The leaders underlined their shared commitment to the bilateral relationship, and to continuing to build on the close collaboration between our countries—including in response to the pandemic,” it added.

The UK government has announced a complete lockdown for England’s 56 million people, which could last until mid-February. The lockdown measures were taken amid a huge spurt in Covid cases which saw 80,000 fresh infections on one day in the end of December.

In the meantime, to the worry of the Indian government, 58 people have so far tested positive for the UK strain. On Tuesday, the Health Ministry announced 20 fresh infections. The numbers are expected to rise as genome sequencing goes on in full swing in 10 laboratories across the country and international travellers flying in over a 14-day period in December are traced and tested.

Johnson was supposed to be the second British Prime Minister to attend the Republic Day parade after John Major in 1993.

“The Prime Minister said that he hopes to be able to visit India in the first half of 2021, and ahead of the UK’s G7 Summit that Prime Minister Modi is due to attend as a guest,” the British PM’s office said.

‘DEAL IS DONE’: UK, EU SEAL POST-BREXIT TRADE DEAL

December 25, 2020, 5:40 am

London: The UK and the European Union have reached a post-Brexit trade deal, after months of disagreements over fishing rights and future business rules.

“The deal is done,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted, declaring that the UK would remain Europe’s ally and “number one market”.

“We have finally found an agreement,” the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said. “It was a long and winding road, but we have a good deal at the end of it,” she said. “The single market will be fair and remain so.”

Britain formally left the EU in January after a deeply divisive referendum in 2016, the first country to split from the political and economic project that was born as the continent rebuilt in the aftermath of World War II.

But London remains tied to the EU’s rules during a transition period that runs until midnight on 31 December, when the UK will leave the bloc’s single market and customs union.

The final 2,000-page agreement was held up by last-minute wrangling over fishing as both sides haggled over the access EU fishermen will get to Britain’s waters after the end of the year. In its statement, Downing Street said: “Everything that the British public was promised during the 2016 referendum and in the general election last year is delivered by this deal. We have taken back control of our money, borders, laws, trade and our fishing waters.”

Von der Leyen thanked the British negotiators and said that although the UK would become a “third country” it would be a trusted partner. “This agreement is in the United Kingdom’s interest, it will set solid foundations for a new start with a long term friend,” she said. “And it means that we can finally put Brexit behind us and Europe is continuing to move forward,” she said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was “confident” that the deal was a “good outcome” as it now goes over to EU member states to agree.

Following the announcement of the political accord, von der Leyen’s Commission will send the text to the European capitals. They are expected to take two or three days to analyse the agreement and decide whether to approve its provisional implementation.

The British Parliament will also have to interrupt its end of year holidays to vote on the deal before the 31 December cut-off. Once it is signed off and the text published in the EU’s official journal it will go into effect on January 1 when Britain has left the bloc’s single market.

The European Parliament will then have a chance to retrospectively approve the deal at some point in 2021, speaker David Sassoli said.

WITH AGENCY INPUTS