BERLIN – Scientists say a wave of migrants from what is now Greece and Turkey arrived in Britain some 6,000 years ago and virtually replaced the existing hunter-gatherer population.
A study published Monday in the journal Nature argues that genetic samples of ancient remains show there was little interbreeding between the newcomers and the darker-skinned foragers who had inhabited the British Isles for millennia.
By contrast, Aegean migrants who introduced farming to continental Europe mixed extensively with the local population, according to earlier DNA studies.
Mark Thomas, a professor of evolutionary genetics at University College London who co-wrote the study, says one explanation "may be that those last British hunter-gatherers were relatively few in number" and therefore left little trace in the genetic record.
The UK wants social media to turn off so-called "nudge" techniques, including Facebook's "Like" button and Snapchat streaks, for under-18s. The recommendations form part of a new 16-rule code of of practice for age-appropriate design drafted by the UK's data watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Other suggestions include turning location-tracking off by default for younger users, "robust" age-verification systems, limiting how children's data is collected, used, and shared, and informing children if parents are monitoring their online activity.
The ICO said the code was informed by views and evidence gathered from designers, app developers, academics and civil society. It also spoke to 280 children as part of its research. The proposals build upon the safeguards enshrined in the EU's GDPR legislation. Therefore, those who fail to comply by the safety standards would face the same punishments, including fines of up 20 million Euros ($23 million) or 4 percent of a company's annual global turnover, depending on which is higher.
The ICO previously handed Facebook a £500,000 fine for its part in the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The UK has also promised to hold internet platforms accountable for the content published on their sites -- much to the disdain of privacy advocates who've warned the vague rules could be used to quash freedom of expression.
How the ICO plans to enforce these latest proposals also remains unclear. A consultation on the draft regulations will last until the end of May, and the final version of the code of practice is expected to come into effect by 2020.
This isn't the first time social media's engagement techniques have come under fire in the UK. Last year, a number of ex-Facebook staffers -- including Leah Pearlman, co-inventor of Facebook's Like button -- told the BBC the platform had deliberately created features to keep users addicted to its app. Facebook denied the allegations.
UK police have also previously raised child safety concerns over Snapchat's Snap Maps. To comply with the EU's GDPR law, Snap said it would no longer store the location history of under-16s. The company's senior director of international public policy, Stephen Collins, also recently admitted to the UK parliament that its age-verification system wasn't "foolproof."
After leaving the European Union, the UK will be excluded from its information-sharing networks and early-warning systems about unsafe products on the market, unless it establishes an agreement to maintain access.
"If it is to make people's safety the number one priority, the government must secure access to the European alert and information sharing systems after Brexit, as well as introduce major domestic reforms to ensure consumers are properly protected from unsafe products," Caroline Normand, director of advocacy at Which?, said in a statement.
According to Which?, the European Commission's rapid-warning system Safety Gate flagged 2,064 dangerous non-food products on the market in 2018, compared with 1,542 in 2008 -- a rise of more than a third.
Sue Davies, strategic policy partner at Which?, told CNN that an improvement in reporting systems could have contributed to the rise, but called the figures "concerning."
The most problematic product categories in 2018 were toys and motor vehicles: There were 655 safety alerts for toys, and 419 for motor vehicles.
A further 200 alerts were issued for clothing, textiles and fashion, 176 for electrical appliances and 121 for cosmetics.
This year, Which? noted, products including Honda car models with explosive airbags, a flammable child's Stormtrooper costume and HP laptop batteries that pose a fire risk have already been recalled.
The consumer group has called for the UK government to establish intelligence-sharing systems with non-EU countries, in addition to maintaining access to existing EU systems. Brexit will add "extra challenges," Sue Davies said, calling on the government to "put in place a really effective system that makes it clear that product safety is a priority."
The government should also turn its Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) into an independent body, Which? said.Davies told CNN, "The product safety system in the UK is under strain."
"The responsibility falls to local trading standards officers who do a really good job," Davies explained. "But there's been really significant cuts to the service in some parts of the country."
"Often, local authorities are dealing with big multinational companies," she said.
In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson for the UK's Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to which the OPSS belongs, said: "The Government's top priority is to keep people safe and that is why we set up for the first time a specialist government body, the Office for Product Safety and Standards, in January 2018 to identify and manage consumer risks."
"Ongoing data exchange with the EU about unsafe products remains subject to negotiation but, whatever the outcome, the Product Safety Database which OPSS is building will ensure regulators can access and exchange data securely and effectively," the spokesperson continued.
Security officers around Belmarsh High Security Prison and Courts in London October 5, 2001.REUTERS/Russell Boyce RUS/PS
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who was arrested on Thursday at the Ecuadorian Embassy, is being held in one of the UK's most notorious prisons.
Belmarsh, built in 1991 and located in southeast London, gained notoriety in the wake of the 9/11 attacks when foreigners were detained in the prison without being formally charged, leading some to call it 'Britain's Guantanamo Bay.'
An unannounced inspection of the jail in early 2018 by the UK government showed progress in some areas, but regression in others.
An action plan developed the prison in the wake of the inspection acknowledged areas where improvements could be made, but pushed back against some suggestions, including not keeping three men in cells meant for two.
As Assange awaits potential extradition to the US, he's been sent to Belmarsh, considered to one of the UK's most high-profile prisons.
Located in southeast London, Belmarsh rose in prominence following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Under anti-terrorism laws created soon after September 11th, foreign nationals suspected of terrorism could be detained in the prison, according to a BBC News story in 2003. As a result, the prison garnered the nickname 'Britain's Guantanamo Bay,' a nod towards the US detention camp at a military base in Cuba of the same name that gained notoriety for some of its torture tactics.
A report on an unannounced inspection of the prison by the UK's chief inspector of prisons in early 2018 paints a complicated picture. The report acknowledges that over 100 prisoners have an indeterminate sentence, in addition to those who have committed serious offenses.
"The high security unit (HSU), in effect a prison within a prison, held some of the highest-risk prisoners in the country, adding a further layer of complexity," the report stated. "In addition, there were a large number of foreign national prisoners, others who needed to be protected because of their offence, and a small number requiring specific management arrangements because of their public and media profile. Meeting the demands and priorities of these various groups remained a hugely complicated task."
While the report determined the prison was generally "well run," it did determine areas of weakness.
The prison failed to meet 37 of the 59 recommendations the report made to the staff following its inspection. And while rehabilitation and release planning had improved since the last visit and safety remained "reasonably good," the prison faltered in other areas. "Respect," a measurement of whether or not "Prisoners are treated with respect for their human dignity" decreased from "reasonably good" to "not sufficiently good" and "purposeful activity" dropped from "not sufficiently good" to "poor."
Violence in the prison also reportedly increased, but Belmarsh noted similar increases in other area prisons at the time.
The 2018 report made 40 recommendations for improvements, of which the prison agreed or partially agreed to attempt to improve upon in its action plan published in June of that year.
Of the recommendations not agreed upon by the prison, one included the need to no longer house three men in cells meant for only two individuals. While the prison acknowledged holding three men in a double cell was not a "desirable practice," it did not breach standards.
"There is no prospect of meeting this recommendation in the medium term," the report stated. "The wider problem of crowding in prisons is a longstanding national issue that can only be addressed through sustained additional investment in the estate over the long term."
Despite the findings of the report that suggest somewhat cramped conditions, individuals on Twitter mocked the comparison of Belmarsh to Guantanamo Bay, noting that the prisoners have access to "education, workshops, two gyms, and a library" along with "therapy and counselling groups," according to a 2006 BBC article.
English actress, writer, and TV personality Emma Kennedy pushed back on the comparison by writing, "We don't have a version of Guantanamo Bay... it was where they sent prisoners detained under the Terrorism Act. Which has now stopped."
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! - 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. EDT and features a diverse lineup of guests that include celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians and human interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band. The guests for Thursday, March 28, included Colin Farrell ('Dumbo'), Marsai Martin ('Little'), and musical Guest Billie Eilish. (Randy Holmes via Getty Images)
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After starting off at No. 1 in the U.K. with her debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? last week, Billie Eilish doesn’t move an inch, claiming a second consecutive frame atop the records chart. Despite facing competition from one of the most popular R&B musicians in the world right now, the teen pop singer is able to hold on and rule once again with her amazingly popular first full-length.
Coming in at a respectable No. 2 is Khalid, whose sophomore album Free Spirit almost made it all the way to the top. The title is the American singer-songwriter’s first appearance inside the top 10 across the pond, and it is powered by new single “Talk,” which also just broke into the top 10 on the songs ranking.
Down slightly to No. 3 is the Greatest Showman soundtrack, which comes in ahead of a handful of other titles which have also spent a fair amount of time inside the uppermost area on the chart. Singer-songwriters Tom Walker and George Ezra see their latest albums What a Time to Be Alive and Staying at Tamara’s land at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively. Queen’s popular Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack finds space inside the top 10 once again, landing at No. 6.
British rock group Mike + the Mechanics are back in the top 10 in their country thanks to their new album Out of the Blue, which launches at No. 7. The title is the band’s fifth to enter the area.
Ariana Grande’s Thank U, Next keeps at No. 8, where it landed last week, while U.K.-based hip-hop musician Dave sees his debut studio album Psychodrama rise slightly to No. 9 this time around.
English indie rockers Circa Waves round out the top 10 this frame with their new album, What’s It Like Over There?, which manages to debut at No. 10. The effort, their third full-length, is their second to enter the important region. What's It Like Over There? matches their career high point thus far of No. 10, which they reached in 2015 with their first release, Young Chasers.
The government and Labour are "testing out" each other's ideas as they try to resolve the Brexit deadlock, cabinet minister David Lidington has said.
He told the BBC they had a "fair bit in common" over future customs objectives but further compromise was needed.
While there was no deadline, he said the sides would "take stock" in 10 days and the process could not drag out.
But former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said the process was a "recipe for disaster" for his party.
He called for Prime Minister Theresa May to make way for a new Conservative leader next month - but Mr Lidington insisted changing PM would "not change the arithmetic in Parliament".
Talks between the government and Labour are set to continue over the Easter parliamentary recess in the hope of finding a Brexit agreement that will be acceptable to MPs.
A series of working groups in key areas, such as environmental standards, security and workers' rights, have been set up to try and find common ground.
The EU has insisted the terms of the UK's withdrawal, rejected three times by MPs, cannot be renegotiated - but there is scope to strengthen the political declaration, a document setting out the parameters of the UK's future relations with the EU, ahead of the new Brexit deadline of 31 October.
Mr Lidington, who is regarded as Mrs May's de facto deputy, said he had not set a deadline for the talks to produce a result but the public wanted Parliament to resolve their differences quickly.
"I don't think the question can be allowed to drag out for much longer," he said.
Asked whether the government could drop its opposition to a customs union with the EU, as demanded by Labour, Mr Lidington said both sides had well-known "public positions".
Customs 'mechanism'
He suggested the two sides were considering whether there was a "mechanism" to deliver the benefits of a customs union, such as tariff and quota-free trade with the EU, while also enabling the UK to have an independent trade policy and input into EU agreements affecting the UK.
"What we have found in terms of objectives… there is fair bit that both parties would have in common," he said. "If we are going to find an agreement there needs to be movement on both sides.
"I don't want to compromise what is at the moment a space where we are testing with the opposition, and they are testing with us, particular ways in which we could move forward."
But Mr Duncan Smith warned against his party embracing Labour's Brexit policy, telling Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday that he had "real concerns with some of my colleagues going out lauding Jeremy Corbyn".
"We need to be very clear in the course of this that we don't end up letting Jeremy Corbyn dictate to us that we stay in a customs union, or we have some kind of second referendum, or stay aligned with the European single market - all of that given to us by Jeremy Corbyn is a recipe for disaster."
He said there was real grassroots anger at the prospect of the Conservatives having to fight European elections at the end of May and the prime minister should leave Downing Street this summer irrespective of whether the withdrawal agreement had not been approved or not.
"She said she would go as and when the agreement was ratified, which was looking at around about May, June. I think those dates still stand," he said.
But Labour's shadow transport Secretary Andy McDonald said the talks would "count for nothing" if the Conservatives changed leader and a hard Brexiteer took over from Mrs May.
Referendum warning
Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn has been warned Labour will "haemorrhage" votes in the EU election unless the party explicitly backs a further referendum.
MEP Richard Corbett, leader of the party in the EU Parliament, told the Observer Labour risked losing out to parties committed to a public vote.
"If Labour does not re-confirm its support for a confirmatory public vote on any Brexit deal in its manifesto, then it will haemorrhage votes to parties who do have a clear message," he said.
"If on the other hand we do offer clarity and a confirmatory ballot we could do very well."
Labour's current policy is to keep all options on the table - including pressing for a further EU referendum.
Labour MP David Lammy told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that the current "rows would continue" unless the public had the final say on the issue.
Several members of the shadow cabinet and many backbenchers, particularly in Leave-supporting areas, are opposed to the idea.
"Movement on both sides" of cross-party talks is needed in order to resolve the Brexit deadlock, senior cabinet minister David Lidington has said.
He told the BBC the government had a "fair bit in common" with Labour but the process was proving "delicate" and could not be allowed to "drag on".
He said they were "testing" each other's ideas on acceptable future customs arrangements with the EU.
He also insisted replacing PM Theresa May would "not change the arithmetic".
Mr Lidington was speaking after former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith called on the prime minister to stand down next month, amid what he said was real grassroots anger at the prospect of having to fight European elections in May.
Talks between the government and Labour are set to continue over the Easter recess in the hope of finding a Brexit agreement that will be acceptable to Parliament.
A series of working groups in key areas, such as the environmental standards, security and workers' rights, have been set up to try and find common ground.
The EU has insisted the terms of the UK's withdrawal, rejected three times by MPs, cannot be renegotiated - but there is scope to strengthen the political declaration, a document setting out the parameters of the UK's future relations with the EU.
Mr Lidington, who is regarded as Theresa May's de facto deputy, said he had not set a deadline for the talks to produce a result but the public wanted Parliament to resolve their differences quickly.
"I don't think the question can be allowed to drag out for much longer," he said.
Asked whether the government could drop its opposition to a customs union with the EU, as demanded by Labour, Mr Lidington said both sides had well-known "public positions".
He suggested the two sides were considering whether there was a "mechanism" to deliver the benefits of a customs union, such as tariff and quota-free trade with the EU, while also enabling the UK to have an independent trade policy and input into EU agreements affecting the UK.
"What we have found in terms of objectives… there is fair bit that both parties would have in common," he said.
"If we are going to find an agreement there needs to be movement on both sides.
"I don't want to compromise what is at the moment a space where we are testing with the opposition, and they are testing with us, particular ways in which we could move forward."
But former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said it would be a "recipe for disaster" if his party embraced Labour's Brexit policy in order to get a deal through Parliament.
"I have real concerns with some of my colleagues going out lauding Jeremy Corbyn," he told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday.
"We need to be very clear in the course of this that we don't end up letting Jeremy Corbyn dictate to us that we stay in a customs union, or we have some kind of second referendum or we are aligned with the European single market."
Referendum warning
Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn has been warned Labour will "haemorrhage" votes in the EU election unless the party explicitly backs a further referendum.
MEP Richard Corbett, leader of the party in the EU Parliament, told the Observer Labour risked losing out to parties committed to a public vote.
"If Labour does not re-confirm its support for a confirmatory public vote on any Brexit deal in its manifesto, then it will haemorrhage votes to parties who do have a clear message," he said.
"If on the other hand we do offer clarity and a confirmatory ballot we could do very well."
Labour's current policy is to keep all options on the table - including pressing for a further EU referendum.
Labour MP David Lammy said there was a growing "mood in the party" to accept the government's withdrawal agreement but only if there was another referendum.
He told the Andrew Marr show that the "rows would continue" unless the public had the final say.
Several members of the shadow cabinet and many backbenchers, particularly in Leave-supporting areas, are opposed to the idea.
