Flats inferno kills boy of 5
A BOY of five has died after a blaze on the top floor of a block of flats.
A woman aged 34 and a boy of 14 are in a serious condition in hospital after yesterday morning’s fire.
All three were taken to hospital but the young boy could not be saved.
Police are probing the cause of the fire in Greenwich, South London.
THE Queen today leads a call for unity in the Commonwealth – hours before Harry and Meghan’s TV interview is broadcast.
Her Majesty is joined by Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for A Celebration for Commonwealth Day – on BBC1 at 5pm.
In her annual message, the Queen hails the way in which the family of nations has come together in response to the pandemic.
Footage shows her in a blue two-piece suit, with a touching tribute to husband Prince Philip – the chrysanthemum sapphire brooch she first wore on honeymoon.
She also wore it on their 60th wedding anniversary – and their 73rd, last November.
The Commonwealth celebration is usually a full-blown affair at Westminster Abbey. Some of it will still come from there – with music and words from Prince Charles.
He says: “The pandemic has affected every country of the Commonwealth, cruelly robbing countless people of their lives and livelihoods, disrupting societies and denying human connections we so dearly cherish.
“Amidst such heartbreaking suffering, however, the extraordinary determination, courage and creativity with which people have responded has been an inspiration.”
The programme also shows William and Kate during a Zoom call. Talking to a doctor in South Africa, she says: “There’s been masses of recognition of the amazing work the front line do and it’s sad, almost, that it’s taken the pandemic for the public to really back and support all those on the front line.”
THE Queen will receive a breakfast briefing on the main points from the Sussexes’ interview with Oprah.
The monarch’s most trusted aides are expected to stay up through the night after securing access to watch the programme. Officials are understood to be concerned
Meghan’s version of events during her 20 months as part of the The Firm could create a groundswell of opinion against the Royal Family.
A source said : “Palace staffers will be going through every word and phrase forensically. The Queen will be delivered a detailed report.”
STAFF nurse Rhian, 34, had to live away from her family when she caught Covid while working on the frontline in
Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.
She missed her daughter’s fourth birthday.
She said: “I was 25 miles away, with no face-toface contact and no one to talk to, I couldn’t even drop her a line to wish her happy birthday. I’ve never been so lonely and scared.
“And, yet, after all that the Government doesn’t even think I’m worth a pay rise in line with inflation.” Rhian, who earns £20,000, said they were treated like the “dirt on a rugby boot” by the Tory regime.
Primary and secondary school pupils return to school and 16- to 18-year-old students go back to college. Primary pupils will not be tested for Covid-19 or wear face masks but all secondary school children must take four tests within a fortnight of reopening. ●Breakfast and after-school clubs and child sport can restart. ●Two people can meet outdoors. For example, they can meet for a coffee on a park bench and have a picnic.
Care home residents will be allowed one indoor visitor. Visitors will be required to take a lateral flow test before entry and wear PPE, but will be able to hold hands with their relative/friend and make repeat visits.