EU, UK impose sanctions

Brussels: The European Union and Britain imposed sanctions on top

Russian officials close to President Vladimir Putin yesterday in an unexpectedly robust and swift response to the August poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Pushed by France and Germany, the EU and Britain targeted six Russians and a state scientific research centre accused of deploying Novichok, a banned nerve agent designed for military use, against the 44yearold opposition politician.

The Kremlin condemned the sanctions as a deliberate and unfriendly step against Moscow and promised retaliation.

LONDON: The Queen carried out her first major engagement since a Covid19 lockdown in March, visiting the Porton Down military research facility yesterday, which was involved in dealing with a 2018

Novichok nerve agent attack.

The 94yearold monarch, who spent Britain’s national lockdown at her Windsor Castle home, has carried out her official duties remotely by video or telephone, or at a royal residence, since social restrictions were introduced.

For her first public outing, she made a rare joint appearance with her grandson, Prince William, with neither wearing face masks, although all involved were socially distanced and staff had been tested for Covid19 before their visit.

The decision not to wear a mask drew criticism from some, as Britons are required to wear face coverings in shops and other indoor venues, while others said it gave a positive message to the public.

‘‘She is sending a message of confidence to the people; she’s going back to work, she’ll go about her business in the usual way, but without taking chances,’’ royal author Robert Jobson told the Daily Mail website.

The main purpose of the royals’ trip was to open the lab’s new Energetics Analysis Centre, where the Queen and the prince were given a demonstration of a forensic explosives investigation.

In keeping with the routine of much of her 68year reign, the Queen unveiled a plaque and signed the guest book.

‘‘Well, it proves we’ve been here, doesn’t it?’’ she joked. — Reuters

PHOTO: REUTERS Keeping up appearances . . . The Queen visits the Energetics Analysis Centre at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Downs near Salisbury yesterday.