London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled plans Thursday for a new fast-track visa route for “the brightest and best”, in a bid to attract the world’s top scientists to Britain after Brexit. The “shake-up” of immigration rules is aimed at encouraging elite researchers and specialists in science, engineering and technology …
Read More »Can an election stop a no-deal Brexit?
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Will he, won’t he — and can he be stopped? Westminster is abuzz with talk of whether Britain’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson will use an election to force through his Brexit plan. Many MPs are deeply opposed to his threat to take Britain out …
Read More »Boris Johnson and girlfriend Symonds move into Downing Street
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds moved into Downing Street on Monday, becoming the first unmarried couple to occupy the British prime minister’s official residence. The change of guard at the famous address was prompted by Theresa May’s forced resignation under the …
Read More »China and Britain wage war of words over Hong Kong
London, United Kingdom | AFP | London summoned Beijing’s ambassador for a dressing down Wednesday in a rapidly escalating diplomatic feud over protests in Hong Kong as China told Britain to keep its “hands off” the city and “show respect”. The demonstrations sweeping the former British colony have also revived tensions …
Read More »UK police find body of man ‘who fell from undercarriage of Kenya Airways’
London, United Kingdom | AFP | British police said Monday that officers were trying to identify a man they believe fell to his death from beneath a Kenya Airways plane about to land at Heathrow Airport. London’s Metropolitan Police said officers were called on Sunday after the discovery of the suspected …
Read More »Boris Johnson wins first round of UK leadership vote
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Boris Johnson overwhelmingly won the first round of voting Thursday in the race to replace outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May, with the field of candidates narrowed to seven from 10. The Brexit-backing former foreign minister picked up 114 of the 313 votes cast …
Read More »Contenders jockeying to replace British PM
London, United Kingdom | AFP | After British Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation on Friday, here are the top contenders for her job: – Boris Johnson – A former mayor of London, “Boris” or “BoJo”, has confirmed he would “of course” contest any upcoming leadership contest, surprising …
Read More »Britain’s May throws in towel in emotional end
London, United Kingdom | AFP | British Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation in an emotional address on Friday, ending a dramatic three-year tenure of near-constant crisis over Brexit. “It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to …
Read More »Zambia arrests ex-minister for graft after British aid freeze
Lusaka, Zambia | AFP | Zambian authorities on Wednesday arrested a former minister for alleged corruption that led Britain to suspend aid to the southern African country last year, an official said. Emerine Kabanshi was arrested “for abuse of authority of office,” said a statement from Zambian anti-corruption and anti-money …
Read More »British police say no crime in Huawei 5G leak
London, United Kingdom | AFP | The top-secret leak that Britain had conditionally allowed China’s Huawei to develop its 5G network, which brought down the defence minister, does not amount to a criminal offence, police concluded Saturday. Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday sacked Gavin Williamson as defence secretary over …
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