LONDON (AP) — A British police motorcyclist faced a criminal investigation Tuesday over the death of a woman who was struck in a collision with the officer's vehicle, which was escorting Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, at the time.
5 things to know from Prince Harry’s day in court
June 6, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — It was a rare sight — a senior British royal testifying in a court of law.
UK’s leading business lobby group wins backing of members in vote amid sexual misconduct allegations
June 6, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain’s leading business lobby group won the overwhelming support of its members at a special meeting on Tuesday for a broad set of reform proposals that should ensure its continued survival.
Fossil finding and cliff walking are highlights of a hike along England’s Jurassic Coast
June 6, 2023 GMTWe were only a mile into our four-day, 32-mile hike from Lyme Regis to Exmouth along the beautiful Jurassic Coast of southern England. Beneath us were the fossilized remains of sea creatures and birds dating back 150 million or more years.
ON OMAHA BEACH, France (AP) — An overwhelming sound of gunfire and men’s screams. That’s how World War II veteran Marie Scott described D-Day, as Tuesday's ceremonies got underway in honor of those who fought for freedom in the largest naval, air and land operation in history.
Soccer players demand change for rampant online racist abuse, turn to AI for protection
Britain’s Princess Eugenie gives birth to second son
June 5, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain’s Princess Eugenie has given birth to a baby boy, Buckingham Palace announced Monday.
Eugenie, the niece of King Charles III, and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, welcomed their son, Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, on May 30th.
UK to house hundreds more migrants on barges, Sunak says
June 5, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K. government will house hundreds more asylum-seekers on barges, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Monday, as he unveiled the latest migration figures that he said showed that his plans to crack down on small boat crossings on the English Channel are working.
US Navy says Iran Revolutionary Guard fast-attack boats ‘harassed’ ship in Strait of Hormuz
June 5, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. Navy said Monday its sailors and the United Kingdom Royal Navy came to the aid of a ship in the crucial Strait of Hormuz after Iran's Revolutionary Guard “harassed” it.
LONDON (AP) — Critics accuse the British administration of running “government by WhatsApp” because of the popularity of the messaging app with politicians and officials.
So it feels inevitable that a tussle over WhatsApp messages is at the heart of Britain’s official inquiry into how the country handled the COVID-19 pandemic.
From Jordan, Jill Biden arrives in Cairo as part of Mideast tour aiming to empower women, youth
June 2, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Jill Biden arrived in Cairo on Friday, on the second leg of her six-day trip across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe that seeks to promote empowerment for women and education for young people.
Live Updates | Jordan’s royal wedding
June 1, 2023 GMTAMMAN, Jordan (AP) — The Latest on the royal wedding in Jordan of Crown Prince Hussein and Rajwa Alseif:
Lebanese designer Elie Saab made the bridal gown for Thursday's royal wedding in Jordan, a spokeswoman for the haute couture outfit says.
UK hails first post-Brexit trade deals with Australia, New Zealand, but impact likely small
May 31, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K. government hailed an era of cheaper Australian wine and New Zealand kiwi fruit as free-trade agreements with the two Southern Hemisphere nations took effect Wednesday.
Malaysia finds 100 old artillery shells on Chinese barge, says it likely plundered WWII shipwrecks
May 31, 2023 GMTKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's maritime agency said Tuesday a Chinese barge likely plundered two World War II British shipwrecks in the South China Sea after discovering 100 more old artillery shells on the detained vessel.
UK government fights demand to hand over Boris Johnson’s messages to COVID-19 inquiry
May 30, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — As Britain’s prime minister, Boris Johnson established an independent public inquiry into his government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will host British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the White House next week for talks on Ukraine, climate issues and more.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's maritime agency said Monday it found a cannon shell believed to be from World War II on a Chinese-registered vessel and was investigating if the barge carrier was involved in the looting of two British warship wrecks in the South China Sea.
LONDON (AP) — Travelers arriving in the U.K. faced long delays Saturday after a technical problem shut electronic border gates at airports across the country for most of the day, forcing everyone to have their passports checked manually on what was expected to be one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
UK police free man involved in Downing Street collision — then arrest him on unrelated charge
May 27, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — A man who was taken into custody after his car crashed into the gates of the British prime minister’s residence in central London was released in that case — but then immediately rearrested on charges of making indecent images of children, police said Saturday.
LONDON (AP) — Britain's Treasury chief said he would be prepared to see the U.K. economy slip back into recession if further interest rate hikes are necessary to bring down inflation.
LONDON (AP) — British Airways canceled dozens of flights Friday, blaming computer problems for disrupting plans for thousands of passengers at the start of a busy holiday weekend — a rocky kickoff to the summer travel season in Europe.
Strangers pay tribute at burial for Jamaican WWII vet who volunteered in Britain’s hour of need
May 25, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — When Peter Brown died alone in London without any known family, neighbors made sure that the humble 96-year-old Jamaican man who had volunteered as a teen to fight for Britain in World War II was not forgotten.
LONDON (AP) — The number of people moving to Britain reached a record high of more than 600,000 in 2022, government figures showed Thursday, sparking renewed debate about the scale of immigration and its impact on the U.K.
UK household energy bills to fall in July, bringing some relief in cost-of-living crisis
May 25, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain's energy regulator said Thursday that the typical household energy bill will come down by around 400 pounds ($495) a year starting in July as global wholesale energy prices decline.
Germany cracks down on climate activists after Scholz brands protest group’s tactics ‘nutty’
May 24, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — German police raided 15 properties linked to the Last Generation climate activist group Wednesday, seizing assets as part of an investigation into its finances in a sign of growing impatience with disruptive protest tactics also seen in other European countries.
LONDON (AP) — The U.K. interior minister won’t face investigation over allegations that she tried to pull strings after getting a speeding ticket, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Wednesday, in an attempt to lay to rest one of several ethics claims dogging the Conservative government.
LONDON (AP) — The Duchess of Edinburgh expressed her condolences Wednesday after the death of an 81-year-old woman who was struck by a motorcycle that was part of the U.K.
UK inflation falls to lowest level in over a year but food prices keep decline in check
May 24, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Inflation in the U.K. has fallen to its lowest level since the immediate aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, though elevated food prices meant it didn't fall as much as anticipated.
LONDON (AP) — Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was fined for breaking his own government's pandemic lockdown rules, has been reported to police again over more potential breaches.
The Times of London said Tuesday that Johnson was reported by civil servants over alleged visits to Chequers, the prime minister's official country retreat, as well as potential breaches in the leader's Downing Street residence.
Court rules against Prince Harry’s offer to personally pay for police protection in UK
May 23, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — A London judge rejected Prince Harry's bid to pay for his own police protection Tuesday, denying the royal's request to challenge the U.K. government in court.
The British government stopped providing security after Harry, the younger son of King Charles III, and his wife, the former actress Meghan Markle, quit their royal duties and moved to California in 2020.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Shutterstock said Tuesday it’s buying Giphy from Meta Platforms for $53 million, the final step to unwind the deal blocked by British regulators, who prevented the Facebook owner from purchasing the GIF-sharing platform over competition concerns.
Disgraced children’s TV entertainer Rolf Harris dies at 93
May 23, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Rolf Harris, the veteran entertainer whose decades-long career as a family favorite on British and Australian television was shattered when he was convicted of sexual assaults on young girls, has died.
LONDON (AP) — The British economy will avoid falling into recession this year, according to upgraded growth forecasts Tuesday from the International Monetary Fund.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s interior minister on Monday brushed off reports that she tried to pull strings after getting a speeding ticket, saying “nothing untoward” had gone on.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said that after being caught speeding last year, she paid a fine and received demerit points on her license.
LONDON (AP) — Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein made sweeping gains in Northern Ireland's local elections, repeating its success from last year's assembly elections, when it became the largest party for the first time.
Only NZ and Samoa unbeaten after London Sevens pool play
May 20, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — With the world series won, New Zealand showed no sign of letting up while powering into the London Sevens quarterfinals at Twickenham on Saturday.
The New Zealanders clinched the series last weekend in Toulouse while winning a third straight leg.
Britain unveils $1.2B strategy to boost computer chip industry
May 19, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain's government unveiled its long-awaited semiconductor strategy Friday, catching up with similar efforts by Western allies seeking to reduce reliance on Asian production of the computer chips that are essential to modern life.
Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral cost UK government $200 million
May 18, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and lying-in-state last year cost Britain's government an estimated 162 million pounds (around $200 million), the treasury revealed Thursday.
The state funeral for the late monarch, held on Sept.
Japan, Britain strike ‘historic accord’ on cooperation in defense, clean energy, semiconductors
May 18, 2023 GMTHIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Japan and Britain agreed Thursday to cooperate in a broad range of areas including defense, clean energy, cybersecurity and semiconductors.
The pact was announced as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held talks ahead of the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, Japan.
LONDON (AP) — U.K. telecom company BT Group said Thursday that it plans to shed up to 55,000 jobs by the end of the decade and replace some of them with artificial intelligence, as part of an overhaul aimed at slimming down its workforce to slash costs.
LONDON (AP) — Katie Taylor had Olympic dreams long before she became one of the faces of women's professional boxing.
The Irish fighter won a gold medal at the 2012 London Games, setting her on course for a hugely successful pro career.
LONDON (AP) — The world's fourth-biggest carmaker by sales has warned of a potential existential threat to large parts of the British car industry unless the government moves to alter the terms of its post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Parliament building is an architectural masterpiece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site visited by 1 million people a year. It’s also a crumbling, leaky, asbestos-riddled structure at “real and rising" risk of destruction, lawmakers said Wednesday.
Prince Harry seeks to challenge denial of request to pay for own UK police protection
May 16, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — A lawyer for Prince Harry argued in a London court Tuesday that he should be allowed to challenge a government decision that denied him the right to pay for police protection when he visits the U.K.
Edna Adan Ismail, a nurse-midwife, hospital founder, and health care advocate who for decades has combated female circumcision and strived to improve women’s health care in East Africa, was named Tuesday as winner of the 2023 Templeton Prize, one of the world's largest annual individual awards.
UK pledges attack drones, more missiles as Ukraine’s Zelenskyy meets prime minister on European tour
May 15, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pressed the British government at the end of a whirlwind European tour Monday to join a “fighter jet coalition” that would help strengthen his country's aerial capabilities, but instead secured a commitment for attack drones and hundreds more missiles.
Sweden celebrates Eurovision win; Ukrainian duo defiant after Russian strike on hometown
May 14, 2023 GMTLIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool cleaned up from the Eurovision Song Contest on Sunday, as Sweden celebrated victory and Ukraine remained defiant after a night of Russian bombardment, including a strike on the hometown of the country’s competitors.
UK economy grows sluggishly in 1st quarter as double-digit inflation curbs consumers spending
May 12, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K. economy grew sluggishly during the first three months of the year as double-digit inflation curbed consumer spending and labor unrest curtailed output in industries ranging from transportation to healthcare and education.
UK sending Ukraine long-range cruise missiles
May 11, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K. is sending Ukraine long-range cruise missiles to help push back Russian forces, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Thursday. It's the first known shipment of the weaponry that Kyiv has long sought from its allies.
Woman struck by police motorcycle escorting UK royal
May 11, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — A woman in her 80s was in critical condition after being hit by a police motorcycle that was escorting Sophie, the wife of Prince Edward, British police said Thursday.
The Metropolitan Police said the motorcycle collided with a pedestrian on Wednesday afternoon at an intersection in west London.
LONDON (AP) — The leader of Wales’ pro-independence political party has resigned after an inquiry found it was riddled with bullying and misogyny.
Adam Price said he was stepping down as leader of Plaid Cymru after a meeting of the party executive late Wednesday.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s bonfire of European Union laws has been reduced to embers.
The U.K. government on Wednesday scrapped a plan to remove all remaining EU laws, about 4,000 in all, from British statute books by the end of this year — a post-Brexit goal that critics said was rash and unachievable.
WWI soldier finally finds resting place in Flanders Fields
May 10, 2023 GMTYPRES, Belgium (AP) — A World War I soldier finally found his resting place on Wednesday after he went missing at the height of the carnage in 1917 and his remains were found four years ago.
The brutality during the 1914-1918 war was such that hundreds of thousands of soldiers were killed in Belgium's sector on the Western Front but some were never accounted for.
1st babies born in Britain using DNA from 3 people
May 10, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain's fertility regulator on Wednesday confirmed the births of the U.K.'s first babies created using an experimental technique combining DNA from three people, an effort to prevent the children from inheriting rare genetic diseases.
Archbishop of Canterbury: UK migration bill is morally wrong
May 10, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — The head of the Church of England on Wednesday condemned a British government bill that would dramatically curb migrants’ ability to seek asylum in the U.K., calling the policy “isolationist, morally unacceptable and politically impractical.”