United Kingdom

LONDON, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson began a post-Brexit shake-up of his top team Thursday by sacking his Northern Ireland minister, despite his role in restoring devolved government to Belfast.

Julian Smith was a surprise casualty of the Conservative leader’s first cabinet reshuffle since his victory in December’s general election and after Britain left the European Union on Jan 31.

LONDON, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sajid Javid has resigned as chancellor as Boris Johnson carries out a post-Brexit cabinet reshuffle.

Javid rejected an order to fire his team of aides, saying “no self-respecting minister” could accept such a condition.

He has been replaced as chancellor by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak – who just seven months ago was a junior housing minister.

Javid had been due to deliver his first Budget in four weeks’ time.

LONDON (Reuters) - For years, Bank of England boss Mark Carney warned of the economic risks of Britain leaving the European Union. Now that it has happened, he says there could be a silver lining in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plans to boost growth.

Speaking to Reuters a month before he ends his nearly seven-year term as BoE governor, Carney said Britain was moving to address its main economic problem - weak productivity.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain’s Big Ben tower at the Houses of Parliament was more badly damaged by German bombs during World War Two than originally thought, experts said on Thursday, as the bill for its restoration rose by nearly 20 million pounds ($25 million).

The 177-year-old tower has been swathed in scaffolding for the past three years as craftsmen refurbish its stonework and famous 12-tonne clock.

Being able to get close to the 315-foot (96m) tower has allowed them to spot other problems like damage caused by pollution and asbestos.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain’s financial regulators are probing historical links between Barclays Chief Executive Jes Staley and the U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, the bank said on Thursday.

Barclays said its board had looked into media reports on Staley’s relationship with Epstein, and probed Staley’s characterization of that relationship.

The Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority are investigating.

LONDON, Feb 12 (APP): Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Farogh Naseem has said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government was committed to eradicating corruption and ensuring rule of law for socio-economic prosperity and wellbeing of the people in the country.

He stated this while addressing as chief guest at a reception hosted by the Pakistan High Commission on Tuesday evening to celebrate the victor of fifteen elected members of the British Parliament of Pakistani origin in the recent United Kingdom (UK) general elections held in December 12,2019.

12 Feb 2020; MEMO: Arab ambassadors accredited to the United Kingdom called on the British government to reject the Deal of the Century, as it does not fulfil the minimum legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and constitutes a clear violation of United Nations resolutions and international law.

BRUSSELS, Feb 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Scotland is already taking steps to hold a referendum on independence and believes it is a matter of when rather than if the country separates from the rest of Britain, Scotland’s First Minister said.

“We should agree a process between ourselves and the UK government for a referendum in line with the clear mandate given by the people of Scotland,” Nicola Sturgeon told a news conference in Brussels on her first foreign trip since Britain left the European Union.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Monday that the new coronavirus was a serious and imminent threat to public health, a step that gives the government additional powers to fight the spread of the virus.

“The Secretary of State declares that the incidence or transmission of novel coronavirus constitutes a serious and imminent threat to public health,” the health ministry said.

“Measures outlined in these regulations are considered as an effective means of delaying or preventing further transmission of the virus,” the ministry said.

LONDON (AP) — Storm Ciara battered the U.K. and northern Europe with hurricane-force winds and heavy rains Sunday, halting flights and trains and producing heaving seas that closed down ports. Soccer games, farmers’ markets and cultural events were canceled as authorities urged millions of people to stay indoors, away from falling tree branches.