Latest United Kingdom government News

Today in History: June 4, Battle of Midway begins

Jun. 04, 2023 00:01 AM EDT

Today in History Today is Sunday, June 4, the 155th day of 2023. There are 210 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On June 4, 1942, the World War II Battle of Midway began, resulting in a decisive American victory against Japan and...

Why are people in Britain talking about Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages?

Jun. 02, 2023 09:02 AM EDT

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...

As China cracks down on dissent, New York City gives refuge to exhibit remembering Tiananmen Square

Jun. 01, 2023 19:27 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Fangsuo Zhou, now in his 50s, remembers all too well that dispiriting spring day in 1989 when tanks rolled into Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. University students and others were beaten and bloodied when communist troops swarmed in to end a pro-democracy protest. Hundreds and...

UK government refuses to hand over Boris Johnson's unredacted messages to coronavirus inquiry

Jun. 01, 2023 14:58 PM EDT

LONDON (AP) — The British government on Thursday refused an order to supply the country's COVID-19 pandemic inquiry with an unedited collection of Boris Johnson’s personal messages and instead launched an unprecedented legal battle against a probe that the former prime minister himself set up...

EU aspirant Moldova prepares to host major international summit

May. 31, 2023 11:12 AM EDT

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — European leaders started gathering in Moldova Wednesday on the eve of a sprawling summit aiming to show a united front in the face of Russia's war in Ukraine and underscore support for the Eastern European country’s ambitions to draw closer to the West and keep Moscow...

UK hails first post-Brexit trade deals with Australia, New Zealand, but impact likely small

May. 31, 2023 08:43 AM EDT

LONDON (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. U.K. Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said that the start of the first all-new...

UK government fights demand to hand over Boris Johnson's messages to COVID-19 inquiry

May. 30, 2023 15:18 PM EDT

LONDON (AP) — As Britain’s prime minister, Boris Johnson established an independent public inquiry into his government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the inquiry wants to see, in full, what Johnson wrote to other U.K. officials as the outbreak raged — but the...

Biden to host UK Prime Minister Sunak next week for talks on Ukraine, climate

May. 30, 2023 12:04 PM EDT

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. Sunak is slated to visit Washington on June 7-8 and will also meet with U.S. lawmakers and business leaders in addition to...

Hong Kong court rejects publisher Jimmy Lai's bid to terminate his national security trial

May. 29, 2023 07:56 AM EDT

HONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong court on Monday rejected a jailed publisher’s request to terminate his national security trial, pressing ahead with a landmark case seen as part of Beijing's crackdown on the city's pro-democracy movement. Jimmy Lai, the 75-year-old founder of the...

Today in History: May 28, Dionne quintuplets are born

May. 28, 2023 00:01 AM EDT

Today in History Today is Sunday, May 28, the 148th day of 2023. There are 217 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On May 28, 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, made up of freed Blacks, left Boston to fight...