Ex-PM Cameron says the UK focused too much on flu rather than other potential pandemics before COVID
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron has told a public inquiry that his government made a mistake by focusing too much on preparations for a flu pandemic rather than considering other types of pandemic in the years before the COVID-19 outbreak.
UK Treasury chief in position of power as PM Truss struggles
As British Prime Minister Liz Truss struggles to retain her authority, one man is seen to be in the real position of power to restore order and credibility to the Conservative government and limit the damage caused by Truss’ economic plans.
Beloved Balmoral: Elizabeth leaves Highlands for last time
When the hearse carrying Queen Elizabeth II’s body pulled out of the gates of Balmoral Castle on Sunday, it marked the monarch’s final departure from a personal sanctuary where she could shed the straitjacket of protocol and ceremony for a few weeks every year.
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UK fraud agency probes Liberty Steel owner's Greensill links
Britain’s Serious Fraud Office says it's investigating suspected fraud, fraudulent trading and money laundering within the business empire of Liberty Steel owner Sanjeev Gupta, including its financing arrangements with bankrupt Greensill Capital U.K. Because this is an ongoing investigation, the fraud office said Friday it will not be providing any further comment into its probe into the activities of businesses within the Gupta Family Group Alliance.
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UK apologizes for 1971 Belfast deaths; families want more
The families of 10 civilians killed during a British military operation in Belfast half a century ago have sharply criticized Prime Minister Boris Johnson after he sent a member of his Cabinet to Parliament to apologize for the deaths, instead of doing so himself.
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UK's chief mouser celebrates 10 years on the prowl
Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of rescue cat Larry becoming Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office in a bid to deal with a rat problem at 10 Downing Street. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, file)LONDON – Larry the cat, a four-legged inhabitant of London’s 10 Downing St., is marking a decade as Britain’s mouse-catcher in chief on Monday. The former stray, adopted from London’s Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, was given the title Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, an unofficial pest control post. However, despite the prime minister moving Jack Russell cross Dilyn into Downing Street, Larry remained in office. Larry became known for his occasional scraps with neighboring cats -- especially Palmerston, chief mouser to the Foreign Office across the street -- and fondness for sleep.
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Timeline of events in Britain's exit from the European Union
July 13: Following a Conservative Party leadership contest, Home Secretary Theresa May becomes prime minister. June 8: A general election called by May to bolster her party’s representation in Parliament to help with the Brexit negotiations backfires. Her Conservative Party loses its majority and continues in a weakened state as a minority government. Jan. 15, 2019: The Brexit deal comes back to Parliament, where it is overwhelmingly defeated on a 432-202 vote. Sept. 3: Rebel Conservative Party lawmakers vote against the government in protest of Johnson’s strategy.
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Poles voice fears of 'Polexit' as govt defies EU over budget
The flags of the European Union, Poland and the city of Warsaw hang in Warsaw, Poland, on Wednesday Dec. 9, 2020. Trzaskowski said the city wants to show to the rest of the EU that the Polish government's tough position "is not the position of the whole of Poland". The fears of a hypothetical Polexit are fueled by Brexit, Britain's messy divorce from the EU, which is seen as accidental. “I cannot imagine Poland outside of the European Union remaining a democratic and liberal country,” Buras said. On the eve of the EU summit, Warsaw city hall ordered EU flags, along with national and city flags, to be displayed in many places.
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UK's Liberal Democrat party elects Ed Davey as new leader
Ed Davey speaks after he was elected as the leader of the Liberal Democrats party, in London Thursday Aug. 27, 2020. The left-of-center Liberal Democrats' acting leader, Ed Davey, comfortably defeated challenger Layla Moran in a campaign that was mostly conducted online because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)LONDON Britains Liberal Democrats announced former Cabinet minister Ed Davey as the party's new leader Thursday, in hopes that he could turn its fortunes around after a series of poor election results. He is the Liberal Democrats fourth leader in five years. Last year, leader Jo Swinson stepped down after she lost her own seat to the Scottish National Party in the general election.
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Scotland's handling of virus boosts support for independence
The handling of the coronavirus pandemic by Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon has drawn praise, in contrast to the sometimes-chaotic approach of U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson. That has catapulted the idea of Scottish independence from the U.K. back up the political agenda. The four parts of the U.K. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland acted together to impose a nationwide lockdown in March. If Sturgeons Scottish National Party wins the anticipated majority, she is likely to demand a new independence referendum. I would love to have independence, but I think maybe now is not the time.___Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
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AP Was There: Murray ends Britain's 77-year Wimbledon wait
One of their seven Grand Slam finals is known for ending a drought: Murray became the first British man in 77 years to win Wimbledon. By HOWARD FENDRICHAP Tennis WriterAndy Murray needed one more point, one solitary point, to win Wimbledon a title he yearned to earn for himself, of course, and also for his country. Up 40-love, Murray failed to convert his first match point. On match point No. Djokovic put the ball in the net, and Murray was at match point No.
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Bank of England says sorry for slave links as UK faces past
FILE - In this Wednesday, March 11, 2020 file photo, pedestrians wearing face masks pass the Bank of England in London. The Bank of England has apologized for the links past governors of the institution had with slavery. The decision comes after two British companies on Thursday, June 18 promised to financially support projects assisting minorities after being called out for past roles in the slave trade. The decision comes after two British companies on Thursday promised to financially support projects assisting minorities after being called out for past roles in the slave trade. It reveals that many businesses, buildings and art collections that still exist today were funded by the proceeds of the slave trade.