UK lawmakers back landmark bill to gradually phase out smoking for good
A plan by Britain’s government to introduce a landmark smoking ban that aims to stop young people from ever smoking has cleared its first hurdle in Parliament despite vocal opposition from within Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party.
King Charles stresses importance of kindness as he skips pre-Easter service amid cancer treatment
King Charles III stressed the importance of friendship and acts of caring in a recorded message delivered to a traditional pre-Easter church service, which the monarch skipped as he undergoes cancer treatment.
Kate and William 'extremely moved' by support since the Princess of Wales' cancer revelation
Kate, the Princess of Wales, and her husband, Prince William, are said to be “extremely moved” by the public’s warmth and support following her shocking cancer announcement as tributes continued to pour in from around the world.
Police investigate allegedly racist remarks by biggest donor to Britain's Conservative government
Police say they are investigating whether the largest donor to Britain’s Conservative government committed a crime when he reportedly said a Black member of Parliament made him “want to hate all Black women” and that she “should be shot.”.
UK Conservatives suspend a lawmaker after he accused London's mayor of being controlled by Islamists
The U.K.’s governing Conservative Party has suspended ties with one if its lawmakers after he accused London Mayor Sadiq Khan of being controlled by Islamists as tensions over the Israel-Hamas war roil British politics.
Top UK diplomat says Britain could recognize a Palestinian state before a peace deal with Israel
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has told The Associated Press that his country could officially recognize a Palestinian state after a cease-fire in Gaza, without waiting for the outcome of what could be yearslong negotiations between Israeli and the Palestinians on a two-state solution.
Britain's Conservative government warned against tax cuts by IMF economist
The International Monetary Fund’s chief economist has advised the U.K. government to avoid further tax cuts amid expectations Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s battered administration will do just that to win over voters in an election year.
Former France basketball player forced to abandon Paris 2024 role following controversial Gaza post
A former France basketball player serving as an ambassador for the Paris 2024 Olympics has been forced to quit her role because of a controversy linked to a social media post related to the situation in Gaza.
The pro tennis tours are trying to cut down on matches that stretch past midnight
The women’s and men’s professional tennis tours have introduced new scheduling guidelines to prevent matches from starting after 11 p.m. except with approval and recommending a 6:30 p.m. start for night sessions at tournaments.
US military leaders press Israel to shift from major combat as Iranian-backed ship attacks escalate
The top two U.S. military leaders are traveling to Tel Aviv to advise the Israeli government on how to transition from major combat operations against Hamas in Gaza to a more limited and precise campaign.
Japan, UK and Italy formally establish a joint body to develop a new advanced fighter jet
The defense ministers of Japan, Britain and Italy have signed an agreement to establish a joint organization to develop a new advanced jet fighter, as the countries push to strengthen their cooperation in the face of growing threats from China, Russia and North Korea.
MI6 chief thanks Russian state television for its 'help' in encouraging Russians to spy for the UK
The head of Britain's foreign intelligence agency has thanked Russian state television for encouraging Russians to spy for the U.K. after it broadcast part of a speech he gave calling on Russians to join hands with British intelligence.
The UK government blames Russian intelligence for prolonged efforts to meddle in British politics
The U.K. government says that Russia’s intelligence services have targeted high-profile British politicians, civil servants and journalists with cyberespionage and “malicious cyberactivity” as part of sustained attempts to interfere in U.K. political processes.
Britain's Conservative government pushes tax cuts in hopes of bolstering electoral chances
Britain’s Conservative government has sought to regain the political initiative with a series of tax cuts for businesses and individuals that it hopes will boost its chances in a national election next year that opinion polls suggest it will lose.
The world's first gene therapy for sickle cell disease has been approved in Britain
Britain’s medicines regulator has authorized the world’s first gene therapy treatment for sickle cell disease, in a move that could offer relief to thousands of people with the crippling illness in the U.K. In a statement on Thursday, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency said it had approved Casgevy, the first medicine licensed using the gene editing tool CRISPR, which won its makers a Nobel prize in 2020.
Prince William awards the Earthshot Prize to 5 winners and credits the finalists for giving hope
An Indian maker of solar-powered dryers, a soil carbon marketplace and groups that work to make electric car batteries cleaner, restore Andean forests and deter illegal fishing were awarded the Earthshot Prize at a ceremony in Singapore.
Prince William says deeper global cooperation can win the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking
Britain’s Prince William says seven countries _ Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore, Britain and the United States _ have committed at a wildlife summit to deepen their intelligence-sharing and other cooperation to combat money laundering by international gangs engaged in the illegal wildlife trade.
Sunak says agreements at UK summit tip the balance in favor of humanity in fight against AI threats
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says achievements at the first international AI Safety Summit will “tip the balance in favor of humanity” in the race to contain the risks from rapid advances in cutting-edge artificial intelligence.
Storm Ciaran arrives on England shore, may bring highest winds to western Europe in decades
The U.K.'s national forecaster says Storm Ciarán has begun arriving on England's southwestern coast as that country, France and others in western Europe brace for what could be some of the highest wind speeds in the region for decades.
Public funding for King Charles III and royals has been recalculated due to windfarm deal profits
The U.K. Treasury says the amount of public funding for King Charles III and the royal family’s official duties has been recalculated for next year because of an unexpected profit boost from offshore wind farms on the monarch’s Crown Estate.