The British navy said Wednesday that is ramping up measures to protect its waters from secret Russian operations after identifying a Russian spy vessel in UK waters for the second time in weeks.

The Royal Navy has been monitoring a Russian spy ship after it was spotted around UK waters earlier this week, the defence secretary has told MPs. John Healey said the vessel, Yantar, was used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK's critical underwater infrastructure.

A Royal Navy submarine was authorized to surface close to a Russian ship "strictly as a deterrent measure," British Defense Secretary John Healey said.

Britain launched an investigation into Apple and Google's smartphone operating systems, app stores and browsers on Thursday, its second use of recently bulked up regulatory powers to scrutinise big tech companies.

Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc. were hit with UK antitrust investigations over concerns their dominance in mobile services is distorting the market and putting up barriers to entry for competitors.

A rare red weather warning has been issued as winds of up to 100mph are forecast to hit Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Schools are closed and millions have been told to stay inside as Storm Eowyn brings winds of over 100mph to Britain. A rare red weather warning is in place in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, with the Met Office warning of a significant risk to life posed by flying debris as well as damage to buildings and power lines.