Tag Archives: BRITAIN

World

The U.S. Confirms Israeli Involvement in Attack on Iran Nuclear Site

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Israel is behind the fire at the centrifuge production facility for uranium enrichment in Natanz, Iran. This is the assertion made by a source in The New York Times in an electronic version of the paper published Sunday, June 5.

“A Middle Eastern intelligence official with knowledge of what happened said Israel was responsible for the attack on the Natanz nuclear facility, a powerful explosive device was used,” the paper said.

The newspaper does not say which intelligence service is being referred to.

A member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC, an elite force in the Iranian military) has allegedly confirmed to the press that an explosive device went off at the Natanz site on July 2.

However, the newspaper explains that it is unable to verify the information about Israel’s involvement in the incident. It is also not known how the device arrived at the site. Israeli officials on Sunday did not give a clear answer to the question of whether the country had organized the sabotage in Iran, the article notes.

It is specified that the incident occurred last week.

Earlier, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Behrouz Kamalvandi said there had been no casualties as a result of the incident, but there had been considerable material damage.

The United States Special Envoy for Iran, Brian Hook, said in an interview with Channel 13 on July 1 that the US authorities were considering the possibility of using military force against Iran if it would be necessary to prevent the country from getting nuclear weapons.

On May 27, U.S. State Department chief Mike Pompeo said U.S. authorities gave Iran two months to complete its nuclear program projects, after which they would be subject to sanctions.

In 2015, Iran, the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany signed a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The document implies the lifting of sanctions against Tehran in exchange for an end to nuclear development.

In 2018, the U.S. side withdrew from the treaty, reinstated some sanctions against Iran, and imposed new ones. A year later, President of the Islamic Republic Hassan Rouhani announced that Tehran was suspending some of its obligations under the nuclear deal.

Europe

Britain ruled out Elizabeth II’s abdication after Prince Philip’s death

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British Queen Elizabeth II will not abdicate after the death of her husband Prince Philip, according to British experts interviewed by Reuters.

“I can assure you that the queen will not abdicate. There are all signs that the queen is in very good health, and with any luck, she will remain our queen as long as possible,” royal historian Hugo Vickers said.

That said, experts have conceded that Elizabeth II will hand over even more responsibilities to her 72-year-old son Prince Charles and other members of the royal family.

“Although the queen may step back a bit and we will see Princes Charles and William more often for doing representative work<…> the queen will remain queen,” assured Robert Lacy, another royal historian.

On April 9 it became known that the husband of British Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip died at the age of 99.

On February 16, the husband of the British queen was hospitalized. A month later, he left Edward VII Hospital after a successful heart operation.

At the time, a source from the royal entourage reported that it was not the coronavirus that caused the hospitalization. Philip and Elizabeth were among the first in Britain to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. The Duke of Edinburgh has been hospitalized several times recently since 2017 because of heart problems.

World

World leaders express condolences over Prince Philip’s death

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On Friday, April 9, 99-year-old Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, died in the UK. On the pages of world leaders in social networks, words of condolences to the Queen and her family appeared.

World reaction

“I am with the British people and the royal family in thinking of the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He had a distinguished career in the army and was at the forefront of many community initiatives. May his soul rest in peace, “ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote.

The impact of his decades of dedicated public service is evident in the worthy causes he supported as a patron, the environmental efforts he championed, the military personnel he supported, the young people he inspired, and much more. His legacy will live on not only through his family, but in all the charitable endeavors he has shaped, “ said US President Joe Biden.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the prince “will be remembered as a decorated naval officer, a dedicated philanthropist and a constant in the life of Queen Elizabeth II.”

Otherworld leaders did not stand aside and also expressed their condolences to the royal family.

How did the UK react

All the official accounts of Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, and Clarence House have changed their main photos as a sign of mourning for Prince Philip. Instead of smiling avatars, there are now official coats of arms.

On the official website of Buckingham Palace on the main page published a photo of the deceased on a black background.

“It is with deep sadness that Her Majesty the Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will be made in due course. The royal family joins people from all over the world in mourning his loss, “ the caption reads.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla and the Dukes of Cambridge shared a black-and-white photo of Prince Philip on their official pages, and the caption to the photo repeats the statement of Buckingham Palace.

The words of sympathy were published by the head of the British government, Boris Johnson, he writes that Prince Philip lived a very interesting and rich life.

“By any measure, Prince Philip has lived an extraordinary life as a naval hero of the Second World War, as a man who inspired countless young people with the Duke of Edinburgh Award, but above all Her Royal Majesty. Our thoughts are with Her Majesty and her family, who have lost not just a much loved and respected person, but above all, a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. The United Kingdom mourns his loss, but is proud of his contribution to the service of the country, “ the Prime Minister wrote.

“Today, we mourn the loss of an outstanding man who dedicated his life to public service and helping others. I extend my deepest condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the entire royal family on this occasion. Sad time, “ London Mayor Sadiq Khan posted on the social network.

“I join the rest of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in mourning the loss of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote.

“I am saddened to hear of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. I extend my personal and deepest condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and her family,” Scottish Leader Nicola Sturgeon wrote.

“It must be quite difficult for a male spouse. He must be a lifelong monarch or head of state. But throughout his life, Prince Philip provided this strength, this support, this reliable support and played an extremely important role, “ said former Prime Minister Theresa May.

Prince Harry can fly to the UK to be with his family. Meghan Markle may stay in the US and miss the farewell ceremony due to her second pregnancy.

“Harry will do everything possible to return to the UK and stay with his family. He doesn’t need anything more than to be close to his family, and especially his grandmother, at this terrible time,” a source close to the family said.

Recall that after 90 years, Philip’s health began to deteriorate. In 2017, he stopped performing public duties, although he still accompanied Elizabeth II. In February 2021, Prince Philip was hospitalized. He underwent heart surgery and returned home in March. A month later, on April 9, he died. He will be remembered as a man of strong character and principled position, as well as someone who became truly reliable support for the Queen of Great Britain.

Europe

Queen Elizabeth II’s husband Prince Philip dies

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On Friday, April 9, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, died, he was 99 years old.

“It is with deep sadness that Her Majesty the Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle, “ the royal family tweeted.

In February, he was admitted to the hospital and underwent heart surgery, but was later discharged.

They were married to the Queen for 73 years and raised four children. The prince did not live to see his 100th birthday for just two months.

A month of mourning has been declared in the UK.

The main facts of the biography of Prince Philip:

Prince Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh, was born on 10 June 1921. He did not live to see his centenary exactly two months later.

Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu and was baptized according to the Orthodox rite.

He is the son of King George I of Greece and the younger brother of King Constantine I. Great-grandson of King Christian IX of Denmark, a great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria of England, and Emperor Nicholas I of Russia.

From birth, he bore the title of Prince of Greece and Denmark.

After the abdication of Constantine in September 1922, the family was expelled from Greece and settled in Paris. In 1928, Philip was sent to live with relatives in London. From 1933 to 1935, he attended school in Germany, then in Scotland. In 1939-1940, he studied at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.

After graduation, he was promoted to midshipman and served in the Navy throughout World War II. After graduating with the rank of first lieutenant.

During his college years, Philip met his four cousins, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. A correspondence ensued between Philip and Elizabeth.

In 1946, Philip asked the king for permission to marry the heir to the throne. Their engagement was announced on July 10, 1947. The wedding took place on November 20 of the same year in Westminster Abbey.

Philip and Elizabeth have four children:

Charles, Prince of Wales (born 1948),
Princess Anne (born 1950),
Prince Andrew, Duke of York (born 1960),
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (born 1964).

During the celebration of his 90th birthday, Prince Philip announced his intention to reduce public functions. Since 2017, he has ceased to perform the public duties assigned to him personally as a member of the royal family. At the same time, the prince still continued to accompany his wife at many public events.

One of the last photos of Philip was taken in November 2020-in honor of the 73rd wedding anniversary of the couple.

Philip and Elizabeth spent the coronavirus pandemic in self-isolation. On January 9, 2021, they gave the first injection of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The other day, on April 3, Elizabeth II appeared in public for the first time after a long quarantine. She was in good health, but her husband did not accompany her.

Prince Philip has broken the longevity record for men descended from Queen Victoria. Before that, it belonged to Karl Johan Bernadotte, who died on May 5, 2012, at the age of 95 years, 6 months, and 5 days.

Britain has declared national mourning for Prince Philip. The royal family will mourn for 30 days.

The country’s flags are at half-mast, no new laws will be passed, and the Queen will temporarily cease to deal with state affairs. Parliamentarians will wear black ribbons on their sleeves, while men will wear black ties.

Europe

Britain almost reaches collective immunity from coronavirus

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The UK will achieve collective immunity from the coronavirus in the coming days-but under current security measures.

According to SkyNews, this was stated by scientists at University College London.

The real-time simulations they are running indicate that very soon on April 12-the percentage of people in Britain already protected from the virus through vaccination or a previous illness or innate immunity will reach 73.4%.

It is believed that this indicator is already sufficient for collective immunity, and the disease will begin to recede.

“It’s like a chain reaction. If the virus is not able to spread from one person to another, it simply “dies out”, — says Professor Carl Fryston.

However, according to him, it is still too early to relax vigilance and speed up the exit from quarantine at this stage.

“This is just another significant stage, a reflection of the fact that things are going as planned. And this suggests that it is unlikely that there will be an increase in the number of hospitalizations or deaths again after the summer or autumn, “ said Carl Fryston. “But this does not mean that we can suddenly change the approach to “opening up” the country and maintaining distance.”

He explained that the threshold of collective immunity depends, among other things, on the risk of spreading the virus, and the risks depend on security measures, such as maintaining a distance.

If people abruptly return to the life they were accustomed to before the pandemic, the risks of transmission of the virus will rise again and the threshold required for collective immunity will be higher.

“Therefore, it is necessary to remove the restrictions very gradually, depending on the situation… This is a process for weeks and months, “ the professor said.

In Britain, almost 32 million people have already received the first dose of the vaccine. This is more than half of the adult population of the country. 6 million people have already been vaccinated with both doses.

It is worth noting that while the next” wave “ of the epidemic began in all European countries in early spring, in Britain, after the peak in January, the daily increase in infections is steadily decreasing.

In March, the country usually registered about 6,000 cases. Since the beginning of April, almost all indicators are less than 4 thousand.