Britain's Queen Elizabeth II spent October 20 in hospital. AFP
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II spent October 20 in hospital. AFP
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II spent October 20 in hospital. AFP
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II spent October 20 in hospital. AFP

Queen Elizabeth advised to rest for two more weeks


Simon Rushton
  • English
  • Arabic

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has been advised by her doctors to rest for at least the next two weeks after being admitted for an overnight stay in hospital this month.

She is under orders, as a “sensible precaution”, to undertake “desk-based duties” only, but she has also promised a “firm intention” to be present at a national service of remembrance on November 14.

The queen spent October 20 in hospital — the same day she attended an evening reception at Windsor Castle to mark the Global Investment Summit.

“Following on from their recent advice that the queen should rest for a few days, her majesty's doctors have advised that she should continue to rest for at least the next two weeks,” Buckingham Palace said.

“The doctors have advised that her majesty can continue to undertake light, desk-based duties during this time, including some virtual audiences, but not to undertake any official visits.

“Her majesty regrets that this means she will be unable to attend the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday, November 13.

“However, it remains the queen's firm intention to be present for the National Service of Remembrance on Remembrance Sunday on November 14.”

The British monarch had already pulled out of addressing world leaders in person at the Cop26 summit in Glasgow next week, but a palace source said she remained in good spirits and recorded a video address for delegates on Friday afternoon.

The 95-year-old had first been ordered by doctors to rest for a few days, causing her to miss a trip to Northern Ireland.

She return to light, official duties three day ago – the same day that she pulled out of going to Glasgow for the Cop26 summit.

Now that rest order has been extended.

There is concern for the queen, given her advanced age, but doctors see the period of rest as a sensible precaution.

There has been no confirmation of any specific illness except to say there is no connection to Covid-19.

The Queen at 95

  • Queen Elizabeth II meeting attendees during a reception for delegates of the Global Investment Conference at Windsor Castle in October 2021. PA
    Queen Elizabeth II meeting attendees during a reception for delegates of the Global Investment Conference at Windsor Castle in October 2021. PA
  • Queen Elizabeth during her annual Commonwealth Day Message in St George's Hall at Windsor in March 2021. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth during her annual Commonwealth Day Message in St George's Hall at Windsor in March 2021. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth speaks with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in July 2018. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth speaks with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in July 2018. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth II tours Queen Mother Square in October 2016 in Poundbury, Dorset. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth II tours Queen Mother Square in October 2016 in Poundbury, Dorset. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth watches the Trooping the Colour to mark her 90th Birthday in 2016 with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, Prince Harry, and Prince Philip. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth watches the Trooping the Colour to mark her 90th Birthday in 2016 with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, Prince Harry, and Prince Philip. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave to guests attending "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for The Queen's 90th birthday on The Mall in June 2016. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave to guests attending "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for The Queen's 90th birthday on The Mall in June 2016. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth is pictured next to a floral exhibit at Chelsea Flower Show in 2016. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth is pictured next to a floral exhibit at Chelsea Flower Show in 2016. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth makes a speech during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth makes a speech during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth stands with US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during their visit to the UK in 2011. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth stands with US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during their visit to the UK in 2011. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth is escorted by her grandson Prince William during a visit to RAF Valley where Prince William was stationed in 2011. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth is escorted by her grandson Prince William during a visit to RAF Valley where Prince William was stationed in 2011. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth looks on as she opens the refurbished East Wing of Somerset House in 2011. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth looks on as she opens the refurbished East Wing of Somerset House in 2011. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth sits in the Regency Room at Buckingham Palace as she looks at some of the cards which have been sent to her for her 80th birthday in 2006. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth sits in the Regency Room at Buckingham Palace as she looks at some of the cards which have been sent to her for her 80th birthday in 2006. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth meets the Spice Girls at The Victoria Palace Theatre in 1997. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth meets the Spice Girls at The Victoria Palace Theatre in 1997. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip review tributes to the late Princess Diana outside Buckingham Palace in 1997. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip review tributes to the late Princess Diana outside Buckingham Palace in 1997. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth celebrates the Queen Mother's 90th birthday with Prince Edward, Princess Diana, Prince Charles And Princess Margaret outside Clarence House in 1990. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth celebrates the Queen Mother's 90th birthday with Prince Edward, Princess Diana, Prince Charles And Princess Margaret outside Clarence House in 1990. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth sits with Princess Diana after Prince William's christening ceremony in 1982. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth sits with Princess Diana after Prince William's christening ceremony in 1982. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth sits with US President Ronald Reagan at a gala dinner at Windsor Castle in 1982. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth sits with US President Ronald Reagan at a gala dinner at Windsor Castle in 1982. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth greets the crowds outside St Paul's Cathedral during her Silver Jubilee in 1977. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth greets the crowds outside St Paul's Cathedral during her Silver Jubilee in 1977. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visit a farm on the Balmoral estate in Scotland, during their Silver Wedding anniversary year, in 1972. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visit a farm on the Balmoral estate in Scotland, during their Silver Wedding anniversary year, in 1972. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles travel in an open top car in Avignon during a state visit to France, in 1972. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles travel in an open top car in Avignon during a state visit to France, in 1972. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth smiles during a picture-taking session in the salon at Sandringham House in 1970. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth smiles during a picture-taking session in the salon at Sandringham House in 1970. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth during a visit to New Zealand in 1970. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth during a visit to New Zealand in 1970. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth is surrounded by school children at a children's playground in Sydney during a Commonwealth visit to Australia in 1963. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth is surrounded by school children at a children's playground in Sydney during a Commonwealth visit to Australia in 1963. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother with a young Prince Charles at Princess Margaret's wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1960. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother with a young Prince Charles at Princess Margaret's wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1960. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth while watching Prince Philip play cricket in Hampshire in 1958. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth while watching Prince Philip play cricket in Hampshire in 1958. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth during her coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey in June 1953. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth during her coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey in June 1953. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wearing formal dress as they attend a concert at Festival Hall in 1951. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wearing formal dress as they attend a concert at Festival Hall in 1951. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth at Epsom Downs Racecourse with King George VI, the Queen Mother and Bernard Fitzalan-Howard, 16th Duke of Norfolk, in 1948. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth at Epsom Downs Racecourse with King George VI, the Queen Mother and Bernard Fitzalan-Howard, 16th Duke of Norfolk, in 1948. Getty Images
  • Members of the British royal family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in November 1947. Getty Images
    Members of the British royal family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in November 1947. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth as 'Prince Florziel' posing with another actress in the Christmas production of 'Cinderella' at Windsor Castle in 1941. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth as 'Prince Florziel' posing with another actress in the Christmas production of 'Cinderella' at Windsor Castle in 1941. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth makes her first broadcast, accompanied by her younger sister Princess Margaret, in 1940. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth makes her first broadcast, accompanied by her younger sister Princess Margaret, in 1940. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret standing together on the train platform as they see off their parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother, at Waterloo Station in 1939. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret standing together on the train platform as they see off their parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother, at Waterloo Station in 1939. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth seated between her grandfather King George V and grandmother Queen Mary of Teck as they ride in a carriage back to Balmoral Castle in 1935. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth seated between her grandfather King George V and grandmother Queen Mary of Teck as they ride in a carriage back to Balmoral Castle in 1935. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth watches members of a pipe band play in the grounds of Glamis Castle in 1929. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth watches members of a pipe band play in the grounds of Glamis Castle in 1929. Getty Images
US tops drug cost charts

The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.

Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.

In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.

Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol. 

The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.

High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.

Profile of MoneyFellows

Founder: Ahmed Wadi

Launched: 2016

Employees: 76

Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)

Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

The End of Loneliness
Benedict Wells
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
Sceptre

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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The specs: 2019 Audi A8

Price From Dh390,000

Engine 3.0L V6 turbo

Gearbox Eight-speed automatic

Power 345hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque 500Nm @ 1,370rpm

Fuel economy, combined 7.5L / 100km

Unresolved crisis

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.

Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.

The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.

Updated: October 29, 2021, 8:30 PM