Britain

King Charles Announces Period Of Royal Mourning, Queen’s Funeral Likely To Take Place September 19th

The Guardian reports: The first full day of the reign of King Charles III has begun, with the new monarch travelling to London to meet the prime minister and prepare for a national address on Friday evening. After staying at Balmoral overnight, the King will travel with Camilla, now Queen Consort, to the capital. He has declared that a period …

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Tearful Justin Trudeau Mourns “Canada’s Sovereign”

The CBC reports: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a solemn statement Thursday shortly after Queen Elizabeth’s death, saying Canadians are grateful for the monarch’s decades of service to the country and the Commonwealth. Speaking later at a cabinet retreat in Vancouver, a tearful Trudeau said he’s struggling to come to terms with the Queen’s death. “I’m having trouble believing that …

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White House Hails Queen For Her “Unmatched Dignity”

Via press release from the White House: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era. In a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her. An enduring admiration for Queen Elizabeth II …

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King Charles Mourns Britain’s “Cherished Sovereign”

Via press release from King Charles III: The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and much loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the …

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LIVE VIDEO: PM Liz Truss Speaks On Death Of Queen

The Independent reports: Little more than 48 hours after her arrival at 10 Downing Street, the death of the Queen has thrust Liz Truss into the heart of a momentous national event almost before she has had time to find her feet as prime minister. Ms Truss has the task of representing the nation as it pays its respects to …

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McConnell Offers “Thoughts And Prayers” To Queen

The Hill reports: The GOP leader said “our thoughts and our prayers” are with the queen as she battles illness. “The Senate and the American people are watching the news regarding our friends in the United Kingdom and the health of their beloved Queen Elizabeth,” McConnell said. McConnell praised the 96-year-old queen, who was coronated in 1953, as “an exemplar …

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BBC Hosts Don Black After Report On Queen’s Health

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 …

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Royals Rush To Balmoral To Be With Ailing Queen

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. …

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Queen Appoints Liz Truss As 15th PM Of Her Reign

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 …

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Boris Johnson Formally Steps Down As British PM

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 …

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UK Pound Slides To Lowest Level Vs USD Since 1985

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 …

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Tories Select Liz Truss As New British Prime Minister

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 …

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Britain To See 80% Increase In Household Energy Bills

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 …

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Britain First To Approve Booster That Targets Variants

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 …

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Johnson’s Farewell To Commons: “Hasta La Vista, Baby”

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 …

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UK Climate Activists Smash Murdoch’s Office Windows

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 …

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Britain Breaks Heat Record, Could Reach 107.6 Today

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 …

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British Air Force Halts Flights Due To “Melted” Runway

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 …

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Britain Could Break Its All-Time Heat Record Today

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, …

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Tory PM Candidates Pander To Right Wing [VIDEO]

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 …

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