Sectarian violence in Syria has been less intense than feared since Assad's ouster

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The toppling of Bashar Assad has raised tentative hopes that Syrians might live peacefully and as equals after a half century of authoritarian rule. While there have been bursts of deadly sectarian violence in the days since Assad was ousted, it’s nothing...

Veteran Labour politician Peter Mandelson named UK ambassador to the US

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed Friday that veteran Labour Party politician Peter Mandelson will be the U.K.'s next ambassador to Washington, a rare appointment for someone outside the diplomatic corps. Mandelson, who served in senior posts in the...

2 men charged in UK with assaulting police in Manchester Airport fracas. No officer will be charged

LONDON (AP) — Two brothers were charged Friday with assaulting police during a scuffle at Manchester Airport in July that led to outrage when video on social media appeared to show an officer stomping on a man's head as he lay on the floor. The Crown Prosecution Service said that...

Britain's Stonehenge is yet again a source of fascination ahead of the winter solstice

LONDON (AP) — It's that time of year when crowds of pagans, druids, hippies and tourists head to Stonehenge in Britain to celebrate the winter solstice, with the shortest day and the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere. Thousands are expected on Saturday at the megalithic...

Veteran Labour politician Peter Mandelson set to be named UK ambassador to the US

LONDON (AP) — Veteran U.K. Labour Party politician Peter Mandelson will be Britain's next ambassador to Washington, people familiar with the decision said Thursday. Mandelson, who served in senior posts in the governments of former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, is...

Pakistan denounces US sanctions on its missile program as biased and putting regional peace at risk

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan on Thursday denounced new U.S. sanctions on the country's ballistic missile program as “discriminatory” that put the region's peace and security at risk. Pakistan's foreign ministry warned in a statement that the sanctions “have dangerous...

Australian who falsely claimed to have invented bitcoin is found in contempt of UK court

LONDON (AP) — An Australian computer scientist who falsely claimed to be the founder of the bitcoin cryptocurrency was found Thursday to be in contempt of an order of London's High Court and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. In a judgment on Thursday,...

Elon Musk considers funding Nigel Farage's populist party, a move that could shake up UK politics

LONDON (AP) — It’s a photo that sent a tremor through British politics: Elon Musk flanked by British politician Nigel Farage and a wealthy backer, in front of a gilt-framed painting of a young Donald Trump. Taken this week at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, the image...

Bank of England warns of 'heightened uncertainty' as it keeps interest rates on hold

LONDON (AP) — The U.K.’s central bank warned Thursday of “heightened uncertainty" as it kept interest rates on hold after inflation moved further above target, even at a time when the British economy is flatlining at best. The Bank of England’s nine-member Monetary Policy...

Bank of England keeps main U.K. interest rate on hold at 4.75% after inflation spike