United Kingdom

On Saturday 17 April at 15:00 BST, starting with a minutes silence nationwide, the Ceremonial Funeral for his Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh was held.

In attendance were only 30 of the closest family members due to UK CoronaVirus restrictions.

HRH Prince Philip, 1921-2021. The grandfather of a nation.

The prominent activist Nathan Law left the country nine months ago because he faces political persecution in Hong Kong, Now he has been granted political asylum in Britain.

The 27-year-old former opposition MP reported on Twitter that his application had been approved after four months of consideration. "The fact that I am being sought under the National Security Act shows that I face severe political persecution and am unlikely to be able to return to Hong Kong without risk."

Buckingham Palace announced Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II's husband, has died aged 99.

UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) has stated that roughly 1.1 million people in the United Kingdom are suffering from Long Covid, also known as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), chronic COVID syndrome (CCS) and long-haul COVID.

“The Office for National Statistics estimates that over a million people in the UK were reporting symptoms associated with long Covid at the beginning of March 2021, with over two-thirds of these individuals having had (or suspecting they had) Covid-19 at least 12 weeks earlier," so Ben Humberstone, head of health and life events at the ONS. "An estimated 674,000 people reported that their symptoms have negatively impacted on their ability to undertake their day-to-day activities. People who tested positive for Covid-19 are around eight times more likely to suffer prolonged symptoms than observed in the general population.”

Santander has announced it will close 111 UK branches as the company will shift its focus to mobile and online banking amid increasing numbers of customers visiting bank branches. The decision affects around 840 employees, but Santander promised to offer them different jobs within its company.

Saturday saw a daily record in Covid-19 vaccinations, with 844,285 first and second doses administered in one day on Saturday. The number was later confirmed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Buckingham Palace has said that it is considering appointing a diversity chief, acknowledging that "more needs to be done" when it comes to diversity.

“This is an issue which has been taken very seriously across the royal households. We have the policies, the procedures and programmes in place but we haven’t seen the progress we would like and accept more needs to be done, we can always improve," a Royal source said. “Therefore we are not afraid to look at new ways of approaching it. The work to do this has been under way for some time now and comes with the full support of the family.”

A spokesperson for the Serum Institute said: "Five million doses had been delivered a few weeks ago to the UK, and we will try to supply more later, based on the current situation and the requirement for the government immunisation programme in India."

The supply issues could affect infection rates but should not impact hospital admissions, as those who are most vulnerable to Covid-19 were being prioritised for the jab.

Prince Philip, 99, returned to Windsor Castle after the 28-night stay, his longest-ever in hospital. Buckingham Palace said the duke was discharged "following treatment for an infection."

The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to King Edward VII's hospital on February 16. He later underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition.

For the first time in decades of disarmament, the British government wants to allow an expansion of its nuclear arsenal. According to a document on the country's strategic reorientation after Brexit, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson presented in parliament, the limit on the number of nuclear warheads, which had previously been set until the middle of the decade, is to be increased from 180 to up to 260.

This is necessary to maintain a minimum level of deterrence in the face of the "changing security environment, including a range of technological and ideological threats", it said. It is the most far-reaching change in Britain's foreign policy since the end of the Cold War.

The head of the London Metropolitan Police is under pressure to explain her officers' actions during a vigil in south London on Saturday in memory of Sarah Everard.

Police were seen grabbing and leading women away from the event in handcuffs.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was "urgently seeking an explanation" from Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, while Home Secretary Priti Patel has asked the Met for a report on what happened.

According to a YouGov survey commissioned by UN Women UK, 97% of women aged 18-24 and 80% of women of all ages have experienced some form of sexual harassment. The survey, that collected data from over 1000 women, also showed that 96% did not report incidents as it was either not serious enough (e.g. groping, coercion into sexual activities) or would not change anything.

“This is a human rights crisis. It’s just not enough for us to keep saying ‘this is too difficult a problem for us to solve’ – it needs addressing now,” so Claire Barnett, executive director of UN Women UK. “We are looking at a situation where younger women are constantly modifying their behaviour in an attempt to avoid being objectified or attacked, and older women are reporting serious concerns about personal safety if they ever leave the house in the dark – even during the daytime in winter.”

Prince William denies Britain's royals are racist after Meghan Markle, wife of his younger brother Harry, said one unnamed member of the family had asked how dark their son Archie's skin might be.

On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace issued a statement on behalf of 94-year-old Queen Elizabeth, the princes' grandmother. She said the family were saddened by how challenging the couple had found the last few years.

William said he had not talked to Harry since the interview was broadcast just over three days ago.

Buckingham Palace issued a statement Tuesday, responding to Meghan and Harry's interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Queen Elizabeth's statement reads: "The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members."

English television personality Piers Morgan is leaving Good Morning Britain – ITV's breakfast news show – following comments he made about Meghan Markle, including questioning her suicidal thoughts. The announcement comes after aver 41,000 people complained to UK media regulator Ofcom after the show aired.

"Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain," ITV said in a statement. "ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add."

When asked during Downing Street news conference about the allegations made against the Royal Family by Meghan marble and husband Prince Harry, the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declined to comment.

"I have always had the highest admiration for the Queen and the unifying role that she plays in our country and across the Commonwealth," Johnson said. "As for all other matters to do with the Royal Family, I have spent a long time now not commenting on Royal Family matters and I don't intend to depart from that today.

After two months of home-schooling, millions of pupils in England are returning back to school on Monday as the government eases restrictions. Pupils aged 5-11 will return to schools on Monday, secondary school students aged 11-18 will return to their classrooms the coming week and are asked to take Covid-19 tests in the first two weeks. The Department of Education has recommended face coverings in classrooms.

Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, have opened up about life in the British royal family in a tell-all interview with US television personality Oprah Winfrey. Meghan, who is biracial, said there were concerns about how "dark" her child would be.

The American also addressed the numerous rumours of intrigue between her and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, married to Prince William, second in line of succession to the throne and Harry's older brother.

The turbulent life amidst the royal family -although the former actress spoke of maintaining good relations with Queen Elizabeth 2nd- even led Meghan to have suicidal thoughts.

A Mumsnet poll for International Women’s Day has shown that over half of the women in the United Kingdom think that the pandemic has set back gender equality decades. Since the start of the pandemic, women have been more likely to lose their job and be furloughed while taking care of household chores and their children's needs and education. Women have reported that, while their male partners were able to work uninterrupted, they had to reduce their work hours to take care of childcare.

“This survey paints a fairly depressing picture of how gender inequality has been exacerbated during the pandemic, with women really struggling to cope,” said Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts. “What’s needed is a proper women’s strategy, with specific policies to redress the inequality that’s been triggered by Covid, or we’re at real risk of heading right back to the 1970s with regard to women’s economic power.”

The British YouTubers Josh Pieters and Archie Manners have released a video in which they interviewed four Royal Experts and let them comment on the yet-to-be-released interview, in which Oprah Winfrey talked to Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

The people that commented on the unreleased interview include Dickie Arbiter, former press secretary of the Queen, Ingrid Seward, Editor-in-Chief of the Majesty Magazine, Richard Fitzwilliams, Royal Commentator and Victoria Arbiter, CNN Royal Commentator.

Due to a long-standing heart condition, Prince Philip has undergone medical intervention. He must remain in hospital, according to Buckingham Palace.

"The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew's Hospital," the statement read. "His Royal Highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days."

Members of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) announced Sunday to take part in legal action challenging part of Britain’s deal with the European Union.

The Protocol agreed during Brexit is designed to protect the European Union's single market without creating a land border on the island of Ireland but so far caused disruption to trade since it came into force at the start of the year. Some British companies have halted deliveries to Northern Ireland, and some supermarkets have been left with empty shelves.

"Alongside the political action we have been taking, we have considered a number of legal routes, and will be joining other unionists from across the United Kingdom in judicial review proceedings to challenge the Protocol, unless arrangements are put in place which are consistent with the Act of Union 1800, the Northern Ireland Act of 1998 and the Belfast Agreement. ", said DUP leader Arlene Foster.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to every adult in the United Kingdom by July 31. Since December 2020, over 17 million Britons have been vaccinated.

Legal experts claim the UK Supreme Court's unanimous decision could deliver a major blow to the company's business model in one important market and opens the door for drivers to claim the minimum wage and paid time off.

The UK court decision comes months after Californians voted to make Uber, Lyft and other gig economy companies exempt from local laws requiring them to class their drivers as employees rather than independent contractors.

Prince Philip, 99, was taken to King Edward VII hospital in London, the Buckingham Palace said in a statement. The statement said he was admitted as a precautionary measure on the advice of his doctor after feeling unwell.

Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, retired from public duties in 2017 and rarely appears in public.

The UK economy fell by 9.9% over the course of 2020, the biggest slump on record, and the economy is projected to fall even further during the first quarter of 2021 due to the national lockdown and disruption to the EU-UK trade deal.

Dr Susan Hopkins, the Public Health England's leading Covid-19 strategists told Sky News that she thinks "that once we get to a very low level of community [transmission], we will need to have ongoing measures in place until the adult population are vaccinated."

"What those measures are, we will have to watch and see, but I think it is really important that we keep the rates as low as possible for as long as possible this year," Hopkins added.

Those who disregard the Covid-19 regulations for returning travelers must expect severe consequences in the future, the British Health Minister Matt Hancock announced. Fines of up to 2,000 pounds (about 2,280 euros) are threatened if tests are not taken. Up to 10,000 pounds must be paid if the prescribed hotel quarantine is not adhered to. Those who conceal stays in risk areas when entering the country must even expect up to ten years in prison, according to the minister.

Following an airing of BBC Panorama: Boxing and the Mob - an investigation into the role played by Daniel Kinahan, a person named in Irish court documents as the 'head of one of Europe's most prominent drug cartels' - the Panorama team behind the investigation come documentary have been threatened.

After the broadcast on Monday 1 February, Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) has warned of unspecified threats from unnamed criminal elements to the investigation.

The broadcast, which ended up leading a call for tighter regulation in the sport, discovered that Mr Kinahan was still active in advising boxers renowned worldwide.

Kinahan's involvement in the sport caused a massive outcry last summer when legendary world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury thanked him publicly for setting up the much-anticipated title fight with another renowned champion, Anthony Joshua.

After the outcry, criticism calmed after it was announced he [Kinahan] would no longer negotiate Tyson Fury's fights.

Speaking to the BBC regarding the threats, Jo Carr who is the BBC's head of current affairs said "The BBC places the utmost priority on the safety of our teams, whose journalism plays a vital role in a free society. It is despicable and intolerable if thugs think they can muzzle a free press through intimidation. We will continue to through light into even the murkiest of corners."

The crime group that Mr Kinahan is linked to is alleged to be involved in drug trafficking, execution-style murders, and is even suspected of being involved in a feud with a rival Dublin gang that resulted in 18 people being murdered.

The lawyer for Mr Kinahan told the programme that he had no criminal record of convictions and that the allegations about him being a crime boss are false.

As part of the Brexit agreement, Northern Ireland ports connected to Great Britain had started checks, which have now been halted due to signs of tension in the area.

Officials pulled a dozen staff members from duty at Larne Port after an "upsurge in sinister and menacing behavior," Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said.