Tag Archives: Britain

Deadline reports: The BBC has now suspended flagship network BBC One’s schedule as coverage of the Queen’s medical condition continues. BBC Two is now playing BBC One’s planned schedule and the other main UK terrestrial channels — ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 — have all run special reports on the Queen’s condition. The Royal Family, including the U.S.-based Duke …

The BBC reports: The Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors became concerned for her health, Buckingham Palace has said. “Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision,” a statement said. “The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.” Prince Charles has travelled to Balmoral. …

The Associated Press reports: Liz Truss took office as British prime minister on Tuesday when she followed outgoing leader Boris Johnson in meeting Queen Elizabeth II for a ceremonial transfer of power showcasing centuries of tradition, but also the uncertainty and gloom presently hanging over the country. Truss, who was announced as leader of the ruling Conservative Party a day …

Reuters reports: Boris Johnson bowed out as British prime minister on Tuesday, ending a tumultuous three years in office and bequeathing his successor Liz Truss a daunting list of problems to tackle. Johnson, who was forced out of office by his own Conservative Party over a series of scandals, urged the country to come together and back his successor. After …

The Wall Street Journal reports: The British pound slid to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar since 1985, a reflection of the U.K.’s dire economic situation. Investors are braced for sterling to weaken even further to a nadir not seen in more than two centuries of trading across the Atlantic. The pound fell 0.3% in early Monday trading in …

The Associated Press reports: Britain will get its third prime minister in just over three years this week as the ruling Conservative Party announced Monday it had chosen Liz Truss to be its new leader after an internal party contest. Truss replaces Boris Johnson, a controversial maverick who defied many of Britain’s political traditions. Johnson resigned in July after senior …

The Associated Press reports: U.K. residents will see an 80% increase in their annual household energy bills, the country’s energy regulator announced Friday, following a record 54% spike in April. That will bring costs for the average customer from 1,971 pounds ($2,332) a year to 3,549 pounds. The latest price cap — the maximum amount that gas suppliers can charge …

Via press release from Heathrow Airport: Following a consultation with airlines, Heathrow has confirmed it will extend the existing limits on the airport’s capacity through to 29 October, the end of the summer season. This will provide passengers with confidence ahead of their half-term getaways. In July, Heathrow introduced temporary capacity limits to improve passenger journeys over the summer getaway. …

Reuters reports: Britain has become the first country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine that targets both the original and Omicron variant of the virus. The the UK medicines regulator (MHRA) approved the so-called bivalent vaccine made by U.S. drug company Moderna as a booster for adults. The MHRA also cited an exploratory analysis in which the shot was also found …

The BBC reports: The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in the UK next year, it has been confirmed. The show’s organisers decided the event could not be held in the winning country, Ukraine, due to the ongoing war following Russia’s invasion. The UK came second this year, so talks were opened with the BBC. “We are grateful to our …

Reuters reports: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson received a round of applause from members of his Conservative Party after he finished addressing parliament at his last appearance during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday. “We’ve helped, I’ve helped, get this country through a pandemic and help save another country from barbarism. And frankly, that’s enough to be going on. Mission largely …

The Daily Beast reports: Environmental activists smashed the windows of Rupert Murdoch’s News Building in London Tuesday morning after taking issue with his paper’s coverage of this week’s heat wave in the U.K. Protesters from Extinction Rebellion (XR) scrawled messages including “TELL THE TRUTH” and “40 DEGREES = DEATH” on the lavish office building in central London alongside recent headlines …

The BBC reports: The UK is set to see its hottest day on record, with temperatures on Tuesday expected to reach up to 42C (107.6F). A high of 38.1C was reached in Suffolk on Monday, just short of the UK record of 38.7C set in 2019. Wales recorded its hottest day on record with 37.1C. The Met Office has issued …

Britain’s The Metro reports: All British troops are believed to have been effectively grounded after military officials said the runway at the country’s largest air base ‘melted’. The RAF has halted all flights in or out of Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on Monday, according to sources cited by Sky News. The base is the sole point of air embarkation for …

The BBC reports: The UK could have its hottest day on record this week, with temperatures forecast to hit up to 41C (106F). The Met Office has issued a red extreme heat warning on Monday and Tuesday in much of England, from London and the south-east up to York and Manchester. The current highest temperature in the UK is 38.7C, …

ABC News reports: The candidates to become the next British prime minister burnished their right-wing credentials Sunday, as they looked to remain in the race to succeed Boris Johnson. The five remaining hopefuls highlighted issues linked to Brexit and immigration as they attempted to woo fellow Conservative lawmakers ahead of a third round of voting on Monday, when another contender …

Reuters reports: An initial field of 11 challengers has been whittled down following two days of votes by lawmakers from the ruling Conservative Party, but no individual has yet emerged as the obvious successor to Boris Johnson who announced he was stepping down following a series of scandals. While ex-finance minister Rishi Sunak has topped those two votes, he faces …

NBC News reports: The candidates all had to win the initial backing of at least 20 of their fellow Conservative lawmakers in order to proceed to the first round of voting which takes place Wednesday. In order to whittle the number of candidates down to just two, more votes will now take place – beginning Wednesday – with the 358 …

Politico Europe reports: Boris Johnson’s premiership will end on September 6 under a timetable agreed Monday evening by Conservative Party bosses. The U.K prime minister is set to step down from his role in eight weeks’ time, after a new Tory leader is elected in a ballot of party members ending September 5. Johnson’s anointed successor is likely to take …

The BBC reports: Sir Mo Farah was brought to the UK illegally as a child and forced to work as a domestic servant, he has revealed. The Olympic star has told the BBC he was given the name Mohamed Farah by those who flew him over from Djibouti. His real name is Hussein Abdi Kahin. He was flown over from …