Tag Archives: UK

G7 urged Russia to stop “provocations”

The G7 countries call on Russia to stop provocations and immediately reduce tensions, in accordance with international obligations.

The foreign ministers of the G7 countries, as well as the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrel, released a joint statement on Monday, April 12, in which they called on Russia to stop “provocations” near the border with Ukraine.

“These large-scale military movements carried out without prior notice, pose a threat and destabilize the situation. We call on Russia to stop provocations and immediately reduce tensions, in accordance with international obligations,” the G7 said in a statement issued by the UK, which chairs the group.

The document also notes that the G7 and the EU are “very concerned about the large-scale strengthening of Russian forces” near the borders with Ukraine and in Crimea.

The Group of Seven countries said they supported ” Ukraine’s approach based on restraint.”

They reiterated that they support the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as the efforts of France and Germany to work in the “Normandy format” to achieve the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Also today, the Head of the US State Department and the NATO Secretary-General discussed the build-up of Russian forces on the border with Ukraine.

UK house price growth in March was the highest in 6 months

According to data published by the British bank Halifax, in March of this year, the UK experienced the fastest growth in residential property prices in the last 6 months.

The growth of the indicator was facilitated by the extension of the British government’s tax incentives for acquisitions during the period of overcoming the negative consequences of the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The cost of British housing increased in March this year by 1.1% compared to the previous month, while compared to the same month in 2020, residential real estate in the country rose by 6.5%. The Halifax report showed that the average house price in the British property market rose last month to 254,606 pounds.

After the easing of restrictions to contain the pandemic last year, the British housing market saw a sharp increase in inactivity. The March recovery in the market was made possible by the Treasury’s extension of the stamp duty holiday, and Halifax experts expect the increased level of activity to continue in the future.

World leaders express condolences over Prince Philip’s death

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.

Queen Elizabeth II’s husband Prince Philip dies

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.

In England, one of the richest Britons was killed

One of the wealthiest men in the UK, 83-year-old hotel owner Richard Sutton was killed on the grounds of his estate in the southwest of England.

This is reported by The Times.

The attack was reportedly carried out on the evening of 7 April at his home near the town of Gillingham in Dorset.

Police, who arrived at the scene after a call from a neighbor, found Sutton with a knife wound.

A 60-year-old woman, presumably the wife of an entrepreneur, was also stabbed. She was taken by helicopter to Bristol Hospital and is in critical condition.

Police arrested a 34-year-old man from Gillingham who was known to the victim in connection with the attack.

The police immediately established that the suspect in the murder had left the estate in the direction of London. His car was tracked for almost 200 km and the man was detained in the British capital.

The suspect in the murder was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The motive for the murder is still unknown, and an investigation has been launched.

Richard Sutton, with a fortune of 301 million pounds ($415 million), was ranked 435th in the list of the richest people in the UK, which is traditionally published by the Sunday Times newspaper. He owned several hotels.

Recall that in December 2017, billionaire and founder of the pharmaceutical corporation Apotex Barry Sherman and his wife Honey were found dead in Canada. The couple was found in their own home in Toronto.