Author: News Desk

Tuesday’s front page.

Partygate: Met Police to issue first fines, sources say BBC News says the first fines for breaches of Covid-19 lockdown rules as part of a police inquiry into government parties will be issued soon, the BBC has been told. The Metropolitan Police will issue at least 15 fixed-penalty fines initially and could start on Tuesday, Westminster sources suggest. The investigation of 12 events held across government began in January. It came after an internal inquiry passed information to the force. The Guardian said fines were “imminent”. Downing Street and the Met have not commented, but government sources told the BBC…

Sky News says a service of Thanksgiving for the Duke of Edinburgh will be a personal tribute from the Queen to her husband after she insisted on being actively involved in elements of the event.

France24 says Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian peace negotiators suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning earlier this month.

Euronews says Spain is readying a package of emergency economic measures worth €6 billion in direct aid and tax breaks and €10 billion in loans for families and businesses.

Arab News says a diplomatic push is underway to prevent a repeat of last year’s Ramadan violence in the occupied Palestinian territories that led to a fourth conflict between Israel and Gaza.

Aljazeera says China’s biggest lockdown since the pandemic began is testing Beijing’s pledge to minimise the economic fallout of its strict “dynamic Zero COVID” strategy.

BBC News says Will Smith has apologised to Chris Rock after he slapped him at the Oscars, saying his behaviour was “unacceptable and inexcusable”.

“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,”

The full apology …

Thousands of people across eastern Australia have been told to leave their homes as storms bear down

February’s flooding claimed at least 21 lives across the states of Queensland and New South Wales