UK's Johnson faulted for lockdown parties but won't quit

LONDON (AP) — An investigative report released Wednesday blamed British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other senior leaders for allowing boozy government parties that broke the U.K.’s COVID-19 lockdown rules, and while Johnson said he took “full responsibility” for the breaches, he...

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes 'full responsibility' for lockdown breaching parties, but ignores calls to resign

London mayor seeks police answers over 'partygate' fines

LONDON (AP) — The mayor of London asked the city’s police chief on Tuesday to explain how decisions were made about issuing fines for lockdown-breaking government parties, after photos were published of Prime Minister Boris Johnson drinking at an event in his office in 2020. Some...

More turn to UK food banks as food and fuel bills soar

LONDON (AP) — For many struggling families, older people and the homeless, Michelle Dornelly’s food hub in east London has been a lifeline. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Britain, she has been collecting surplus groceries from supermarkets and distributing them to people who can't afford to...

UK's Boris Johnson awaits judgment of 'partygate' report

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been shadowed by career-threatening scandal for months — but so far he has escaped unscathed. This week he faces one more threat to his political future: a comprehensive report into coronavirus lockdown-breaching parties in...

Key report into Johnson's 'partygate' to be published

LONDON (AP) — A highly-anticipated report into the British government's “partygate” coronavirus lockdown scandal that could determine Prime Minister Boris Johnson's political fortunes is set to be published this week, after months of delay. Senior civil servant Sue Gray, who...

N Ireland party leader pans Pelosi's warning on Brexit terms

LONDON (AP) — U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is facing criticism from the leader of Northern Ireland’s biggest unionist party after saying Congress won’t approve a trade deal with the U.K. if Britain scraps the agreement governing post-Brexit trade on the Irish island. The...

UK's Johnson faces no further fines over 'partygate' scandal

LONDON (AP) — Britain's Metropolitan Police told Prime Minister Boris Johnson he faced no further action over lockdown-breaching gatherings at his official residence and other government sites, after the force said Thursday it has concluded its investigation into politicians' parties that...

NATO talks with Finland, Sweden falter but will continue

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO envoys failed to reach a consensus Wednesday on whether to start membership talks with Finland and Sweden, diplomats said, as Turkey renewed its objections to the two Nordic countries joining. The envoys met at NATO's headquarters in Brussels after Finland and...

AP Interview: Scottish leader stresses independence, NATO

WASHINGTON (AP) — Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon said in an interview Tuesday that Europe's crisis over Russia's war in Ukraine only makes Scotland's drive for independence more important, and maintained Scotland should play its “full part” ensuring stability and security in Europe as an...