Latest United Kingdom government News

Pentagon forges new high-tech agreement with Australia, United Kingdom, aimed at countering China

Dec. 01, 2023 21:57 PM EST

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California (AP) — From underwater drones to electronic warfare, the U.S. is expanding its high-tech military cooperation with Australia and the United Kingdom as part of a broader effort to counter China’s rapidly growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Defense...

King Charles III draws attention by wearing a Greek flag tie after London-Athens diplomatic spat

Dec. 01, 2023 13:04 PM EST

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III caused some raised eyebrows Friday when he wore a tie adorned with a pattern of Greek flags to the COP28 climate summit days after a diplomatic spat between the U.K. government and Greece over the Parthenon Marbles. The British monarch is meant to be...

UK government intervenes in potential takeover of Telegraph newspaper by Abu Dhabi-backed fund

Nov. 30, 2023 15:01 PM EST

LONDON (AP) — Britain's government said Thursday it has asked media and market competition officials to investigate whether a potential Abu Dhabi-backed takeover of The Telegraph newspaper would impact press freedoms. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said she issued a “public...

The UK's former health secretary testifies at COVID inquiry that he argued for an earlier lockdown

Nov. 30, 2023 12:13 PM EST

LONDON (AP) — The U.K.'s former health secretary told a COVID-19 inquiry Thursday that the British government would have saved many lives if it had acted sooner and imposed a national lockdown weeks earlier than it did in March 2020. Matt Hancock, who played a key role in the...

Elton John addresses Britain's Parliament, urging lawmakers to do more to fight HIV/AIDS

Nov. 30, 2023 03:23 AM EST

LONDON (AP) — Elton John has urged British lawmakers to do more to fight HIV and AIDS, saying the U.K. can be the first country in the world “to defeat this awful virus.” The British star spoke to lawmakers and campaigners in the grand Speaker’s House of Parliament on...

Britain's Parliament honors Elton John for his work fighting HIV in the UK and beyond

Nov. 29, 2023 17:10 PM EST

LONDON (AP) — Elton John has addressed Britain's Parliament at an event honoring his dedication to fighting HIV in the U.K. and beyond. The British star spoke to dozens of lawmakers and campaigners in the grand Speaker’s House of Parliament on Wednesday. John set...

UK's Sunak ramps up criticism of Greek leader in Parthenon Marbles spat

Nov. 29, 2023 10:32 AM EST

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak escalated his war of words with the leader of Greece on Wednesday, accusing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of trying to “grandstand” over the disputed Parthenon Marbles and breaking a promise to the U.K. government. ...

How a group of ancient sculptures sparked a dispute between Greece and the UK

Nov. 28, 2023 12:45 PM EST

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — For decades, Britain and Greece were able to differ, largely politely, over the world's toughest cultural heritage dispute: What's the right place for some of the finest ancient Greek sculptures ever made, which have been displayed in London for more than 200 years but which...

Greek officials angry and puzzled after UK's Sunak scraps leaders' meeting over Parthenon Marbles

Nov. 28, 2023 10:19 AM EST

LONDON (AP) — Greek officials said Tuesday that they will continue talks with the British Museum about bringing the Parthenon Marbles back to Athens, despite U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak abruptly canceling a meeting with his Greek counterpart where the contested antiquities were due to be...

Today in History: November 28, Boston's Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire kills 492

Nov. 28, 2023 00:03 AM EST

Today in History Today is Tuesday, Nov. 28, the 332nd day of 2023. There are 33 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Nov. 28, 1942, fire engulfed the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, killing 492 people in the deadliest...