Category: England

13,000 Children Were Kicked out of School Over COVID-19 Rules in England

Nearly 13,000 children were excluded from school for not following COVID-19 rules, new figures show. According to figures released last week by the Department for Education, there were 12,965 exclusions from schools in England in the 2020–2021 academic year because of “wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures.” Seventy-seven exclusions were permanent and 12,888 were…


Elena Rybakina Wins Wimbledon Women’s Final for 1st Slam

WIMBLEDON, England—Too nervous to wave, Elena Rybakina stepped into the Centre Court sunshine before the Wimbledon final Saturday and kept a firm double-grip on the black-and-red straps of the racket bag slung over her shoulders. No wave. Not much of a look around. Her play early on betrayed some jitters, too, which makes sense considering…


At Least 1 Killed in Apartment Fire in Bedford, England

At least one person was killed following an explosion at an apartment building in Bedford, England, on Monday morning. Three other people were taken to hospital, including one firefighter. By Tuesday morning, there were still a number of residents who remained unaccounted for. Chief Superintendent John Murphy, who is leading the response for Bedfordshire Police,…


Let Me Persuade You to Read Something About Prudence and Kindness: Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’

A book can’t be judged by its cover, true, but it should be revealed by its title. Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” is a perfect example, for the title is an expertly-set diamond, reflecting the plot of the novel, its theme, and its meaning. Persuading is THE action of the novel, and it is an action that…


Consumer Confidence Warning Over ‘Frankenscience’ Gene-Edited Animal Plans in England

The British government says its plan to legalise gene-editing in animals and plants for food is following the science and will help ensure food security. But critics say profits are driving what they call “frankenscience” and warn consumer confidence could be hit. The new Genetic Technology Bill, the government says, will allow the creation of…


UK Councils and Housing Associations Face Unlimited Fines for Failing Tenants

Councils and housing associations could get unlimited fines if they are found to have provided damp, cold, and unsafe homes for tenants, under new legislation being laid before Parliament on Wednesday. The legislation is being introduced in the run-up to the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire in Kensington, west London, which killed 72…


Blackpool: Britain’s Coney Island

When I tell my British friends I’m going to Blackpool, their expressions sour and they ask, “Oh, God, why?” My response: Because it’s a carnival-esque tipsy-toupee, ears-pierced-while-you­-wait place, where I can experience working-class England at play. For over a century, until the last generation, Blackpool, located on the west coast north of Liverpool, was where…


Domestic Vaccine Passports to Be Scrapped in England

The British government has scrapped its NHS COVID Pass for domestic purposes in England in a continuation of its “Living with COVID” strategy. According to new guidance published on Saturday, the government said that from this Thursday, the domestic NHS COVID Pass will no longer be available and is no longer being enforced. This means that…


Fears Grow Over Easter Travel Misery in England

Fears over Easter travel chaos are rising as more flights were cancelled and plans to boost cross-Channel ferry services were blocked. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps warned that travel networks will be “extremely busy” during the bank holiday weekend. On Wednesday, British Airways axed at least 53 flights planned for domestic or European routes to or…


Perth to Host First Test Match of 2022 English Rugby Tour Against Australia

The English rugby team will return to Perth, Western Australia, for the first time since 2010 to take on the Wallabies (Australia) at Optus Stadium. Announced in a release on Tuesday,  Tourism WA, in partnership with Rugby Australia, has secured the first test of the three-match English tour, which will take place on July 2….