A diplomatic reception which was due to be hosted by the Queen next week at Windsor Castle has been postponed. Buckingham Palace said the monarch had accepted the foreign secretary’s advice to delay the event, which was scheduled for Wednesday. The Queen had to cancel planned virtual audiences twice this week following her COVID diagnosis,
UK
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has announced that he is handing stewardship of the club to trustees of its charitable foundation. Roman Abramovich will no longer be involved in club matters on a day to day basis and long term strategic decision making powers will instead be handed over to the Chelsea Foundation. In a statement,
Boris Johnson has directly addressed the people of Russia telling them in their own language: “I do not believe this war is in your name.” In a video message released on Friday night, the prime minister also spoke Ukrainian urging an end to the conflict. Mr Johnson’s latest comments after Kyiv was hit by air
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has received a questionnaire as part of the police inquiry into alleged COVID lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street. During the Metropolitan Police’s ongoing Operation Hillman, more than 50 people have been sent a document to ask for their account and explanation of participation in “partygate” events. Scotland Yard has warned recipients that
A surge in wholesale gas prices after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine could see annual energy bills soar above £3,000 for millions of households, an analyst has warned. Bills are already set to climb by a typical £693 to £1,971 in April after regulator Ofgem announced the latest increase in the cap earlier this
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will not only affect the eastern European nation but the UK will also feel repercussions. Boris Johnson said the invasion is a “catastrophe for our continent” after Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine on Thursday morning. The attacks may be in a country more than 1,000 miles away from the UK but
Boris Johnson has accused Vladimir Putin of choosing a “path of bloodshed and destruction” after explosions were heard in Ukrainian cities. The prime minister said the UK and its allies will respond “decisively”, adding that he was “appalled by the horrific events” in Ukraine. Mr Johnson has spoken to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the country’s president, to
Prince Harry has launched a High Court libel action against the publisher of the Daily Mail, court filings show. The Duke of Sussex filed a claim against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) on Wednesday afternoon. It is not known which titles the claim relates to – the organisation also includes The Mail On Sunday and MailOnline
Boris Johnson has made clear the UK will not send troops to Ukraine if Russia launches a full-scale invasion, but there are other ways of aiding the European ally. Moscow sent “peacekeeping” forces into Russian-backed rebel-held areas of western Ukraine on Monday night, after President Vladimir Putin said the country would recognise the self-proclaimed republics
The legal requirement for people who test positive for coronavirus to self-isolate will be removed from Thursday and free symptomatic and asymptomatic testing will end in England from 1 April, the PM has announced. Boris Johnson confirmed the move as he unveiled his government’s plan for “living with COVID” in the Commons. The changes will
Vulnerable people and those aged 75 and over will be offered a fourth COVID jab this spring, says Health Secretary Sajid Javid. It comes after a recommendation by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Immunity from vaccination declines over time and many older adults received their most recent vaccine dose in September or
The Queen has cancelled her planned virtual engagements as she continues to suffer mild COVID symptoms, Buckingham Place has said. The Palace confirmed the monarch tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday and was planning to continue carrying out “light duties” at Windsor Castle. It said today: “As Her Majesty is still experiencing mild cold like
The Queen is planning to continue working at Windsor Castle after testing positive for coronavirus. Buckingham Palace confirmed she had COVID-19 yesterday – and Sky News has been told “a number of cases have been diagnosed within the Windsor Castle team”. Hours after the announcement was made, Her Majesty sent a message of congratulations to
The Queen has tested positive for coronavirus, Buckingham Palace has said. The monarch, 95, is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms and expects to continue light duties at Windsor this week, the palace said. She is understood to be triple vaccinated. COVID news live: Messages of support pour in for Queen The Queen was in direct contact
People in England will no longer have to self-isolate after testing positive for coronavirus by the end of next week, Downing Street has said. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce the decision on Monday, which also applies to close contacts, as he moves to scrap all remaining COVID-19 restrictions. When he unveils his
Further strong winds and icy stretches could disrupt the big clean-up from Storm Eunice in parts of the UK, Met Office forecasters have warned. A yellow weather warning for wind is in place across southern parts of England and Wales from 6am to 6pm on Saturday. The Met Office says this could prolong power cuts
A wind gust of 122mph has been recorded on the Isle of Wight in what is thought to be a new record for England, the Met Office said. The wind speed was reported at The Needles on the Isle of Wight as millions of Britons were urged to stay at home as Storm Eunice hit
Britons are being urged to stay at home as Storm Eunice sweeps across the country – with forecasters warning wind speeds could break records. Weather warnings are in place across most of the UK – including a rare red warning for wind – and the Met Office fears “significant gusts” could lead to flying debris
British couples undergoing fertility treatment in Ukraine face being separated from their children by an impending war – but many have said they not deterred by travelling warnings. Hundreds of people from the UK and Ireland visit Ukraine every year to undergo fertility treatment or use Ukrainian surrogates. But with the threat of an impending
A rare red weather warning has been issued for Storm Eunice as it looks set to batter the UK with gusts of up to 100mph. The warning has been issued along the coastline of Devon and Cornwall as well as the south coast of Wales as extremely strong winds are predicted. The high alert for