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☆ UK killer nurse Letby to be re-tried over one alleged attempted murder
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Members of the media work near a large screen showing a picture of convicted hospital nurse Lucy Letby, ahead of her sentencing, outside the Manchester Crown Court, in Manchester, Britain, August 21, 2023. However, the jury were unable to agree on six charges of attempted murder involving five other infants. At a hearing at Manchester Crown Court, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced they would now seek a new trial over one of those charges, with the trial date provisionally set for next year. "These decisions on whether to seek retrials on the remaining counts of attempted murder were extremely complex and difficult," said Jonathan Storer, a chief crown prosecutor. Earlier this month, lawyers for Letby, who maintains her innocence, submitted an application seeking permission for an appeal against her convictions.

Persons: Lucy Letby, Phil Noble, Letby, Countess, Chester, Jonathan Storer, Michael Holden, Kylie MacLellan Organizations: Manchester Crown Court, REUTERS, Crown Prosecution Service, CPS, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, England

☆ Ryanair cuts routes from Dublin home base, says more incentives needed
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Employees work on a Ryanair plane preparing to take off at the Rosalia De Castro airport in Santiago de Compostela, Spain June 24, 2022. The Irish airline, Europe's largest by passenger numbers, cited Dublin Airport Authority's increased passenger charges and a failure to deliver a "meaningful" environmental incentive scheme as motivation for the decision. The Dublin Airport Authority said in a statement that Ryanair was exaggerating the size of increased charges and that the authority was consulting with airlines about a proposed scheme to incentivise lower-emission aircraft in 2024. It said Dublin Airport's passenger numbers had recovered to pre-pandemic levels and that it had no need to incentivise new growth given a capacity limit under the airport's planning permission. Ryanair frequently cuts capacity from airports during disputes over charges and typically allocates aircraft to airports and regions offering the best growth incentives.

Persons: Rosalia De, Nacho, Eddie Wilson, Padraic Halpin, Conor Humphries, Kylie MacLellan Organizations: Ryanair, REUTERS, Rights, Boeing, MAX, Luton Airport, Irish, Dublin Airport Authority, Thomson Locations: Rosalia De Castro, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Dublin, Italy

☆ Former UK soldier pleads not guilty to prison escape
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Daniel Khalife is shown in a police mugshot released by Metropolitan Police Service on September 6, 2023. Courtesy of Metropolitan Police Service/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - A former British soldier charged with terrorism and Official Secret Act offences pleaded not guilty on Thursday to breaking out of prison and going on the run. Prosecutors say Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, escaped from London's Wandsworth prison on Sep. 6 by attaching himself to the underside of a food delivery truck. After a four-day nationwide manhunt, police said he was recaptured by a plain clothes officer while cycling alongside a canal in west London. Khalife, wearing a blue and yellow sweatshirt, appeared by videolink at the Old Bailey on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to one count of escaping from lawful custody.

Persons: Daniel Khalife, Daniel Abed Khalife, videolink, Bailey, Khalife, Sam Tobin, Kylie MacLellan Organizations: Metropolitan Police Service, REUTERS, Prosecutors, Ministry of Defence's, Administration, Terrorism, BBC, Thomson Locations: British, London's Wandsworth, London, England, Iran

☆ UK looks to limit strike impact as doctors take coordinated action
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Kylie Maclellan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Junior doctors hold placards during a strike, amid a dispute with the government over pay, in London, Britain April 11, 2023. Senior doctors, known as consultants, began a 48-hour walkout on Tuesday and will be joined by junior doctors on Wednesday. They are due to hold three further days of joint strike action next month. Doctors have said they will operate Christmas Day levels of service, providing emergency care. In July, junior doctors were awarded a 6% pay rise and 1,250 pounds ($1,547) for 2023/24, but the British Medical Association trade union says they are still facing a pay cut in real terms.

Persons: Maja Smiejkowska, we've, Steve Barclay, Rishi Sunak, Vishal Sharma, Sunak, Barclay, Kylie MacLellan Organizations: REUTERS, Sky News, Health Service, British Medical Association, BMA, RPI, Times Radio, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, England, France, Italy

☆ Man charged after climbing into Royal Mews by Buckingham Palace
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A fox runs past the Buckingham Palace on the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death, in London, Britain, September 8, 2023. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 18 (Reuters) - A man has been charged with trespassing after being arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning climbing into the Royal Mews adjacent to Buckingham Palace in London, police said on Monday. Officers were alerted to reports at 1.25 a.m. (0025 GMT) on Saturday of the man climbing the wall to get into the Royal Mews which backs on to the Palace garden. Awad Rovalino, 25, was detained outside the stables in the Royal Mews, which is responsible for all road travel arrangements for King Charles and members of the Royal Family, and is home to the Gold State Coach. London's Metropolitan Police said he had also been charged with attempted theft from a motor vehicle during the same incident, and would appear in court later on Monday.

Persons: Queen Elizabeth II's, Hollie Adams, Awad Rovalino, King Charles, Kylie MacLellan, Toby Chopra Organizations: REUTERS, Royal Mews, Royal, Gold, Metropolitan Police, Thomson Locations: Buckingham, London, Britain

☆ UK focuses on transparency and access with new AI principles
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Paul Sandle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters are placed on computer motherboard in this illustration taken June 23, 2023. Britain's anti-trust regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), is, like other authorities around the world, trying to control some of the potential negative consequences of AI without stifling innovation. The CMA's proposed principles, which come six weeks before Britain hosts a global AI safety summit, will underpin its approach to AI when it assumes new powers in the coming months to oversee digital markets. It said it would now seek views from leading AI developers such as Google, Meta, OpenAI, Microsoft, NVIDIA and Anthropic, as well as governments, academics and other regulators. Reporting by Paul Sandle and Sarah Young, Editing by Kylie MacLellan and David EvansOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Sarah Cardell, Paul Sandle, Sarah Young, Kylie MacLellan, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Google, Microsoft LONDON, Markets Authority, CMA, Britain, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Thomson Locations: Britain, United States

☆ UK government says China attempting to headhunt Britons in sensitive positions
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Union Jack flag flutters in front of the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, November 5, 2019. "The government recognises that Chinese recruitment schemes have tried to headhunt British and allied nationals in key positions and with sensitive knowledge and experience," the government said. The arrest of the young researcher, who denied being a spy, has led to calls by British members of parliament for a tougher stance on China. Chinese spying efforts in Britain were once focused on the hacking and stealing of intellectual property, according to lawmakers. But there has been a growth in human intelligence, targeting officials in senior positions, the lawmakers said.

Persons: Hannah McKay, Sunak, Andrew MacAskill, Kylie MacLellan, Michael Holden Organizations: REUTERS, Conservative Party, Intelligence, Security Committee, ISC, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, China, Beijing

A Union Jack flag flutters in front of the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, November 5, 2019. "Chinese recruitment schemes have tried to headhunt British and allied nationals in key positions and with sensitive knowledge and experience," the government said. The arrest of the young researcher, who denied being a spy, has led to calls by British members of parliament for a tougher stance. Sunak told parliament that he accepted the report and recognised that it identified areas where "we can do better". Last year, MI5 issued a rare security alert, warning members of parliament that a suspected Chinese spy was "involved in political interference activities" in Britain.

Persons: Hannah McKay, Sunak, Andrew MacAskill, Kylie MacLellan, Michael Holden, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, CAN, Intelligence, Security Committee, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, China, Beijing

☆ France's Macron to Meet UK Opposition Leader Starmer on Sept. 19
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - Britain's opposition leader Keir Starmer will meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Sept. 19 as he builds up his foreign policy experience ahead of a general election expected next year which opinion polls show he is likely to win. The meeting in Paris is due to take place the day before King Charles travels to France for a state visit. Since being Labour leader, he has ruled out a holding a second referendum, saying it would reopen "old wounds". Although meetings between British opposition leaders and foreign leaders are relatively rare, Starmer did meet with the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz last year. Sunak's press secretary said of Macron's meeting with Starmer: "It's not unusual for opposition leaders to meet world leaders."

Persons: Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, King Charles, Rishi Sunak's, Starmer, Olaf Scholz, Sunak's, Michel Rose, Tassilo Hummel, Andrew MacAskill, Alex Richardson, Kylie MacLellan Organizations: PARIS, Starmer's Labour Party, Conservatives, European Union, Conservative, Britain, EU, Labour Locations: Paris, France

☆ UK man, accused of spying for China in parliament, says he's innocent
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] An Uber riverboat sails on the River Thames, with the Houses of Parliament seen behind in London, Britain, May 17, 2023. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and the parliamentary speaker were due to raise the case, after several lawmakers called for not only an explanation but also tighter vetting procedures for those working in the House of Commons. The Sunday Times reported one of those arrested was a researcher in the British parliament. His alleged spying in parliament was raised by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 summit in India on Sunday. "I think that's the central question that needs to be answered by the prime minister today."

Persons: Toby Melville, Oliver Dowden, Rishi Sunak, Premier Li Qiang, Birnberg Peirce, James, Sunak, Keir Starmer, Elizabeth Piper, Alistair Smout, Kylie MacLellan, Sachin Ravikumar, Christina Fincher, Peter Graff Organizations: REUTERS, London's Metropolitan Police, Sunday Times, Times, British, Premier, Chinese Communist Party, Labour, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, China, London's, India, Beijing

☆ Britain rejoins EU's Horizon science programme in further boost for ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Alistair Smout | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a visit to Kent Scientific Services in West Malling, Kent, Britain, May 30, 2023. The agreement, which excludes the EU's Euratom nuclear research scheme, signals a further improvement in bilateral relations seven months after a row over trade was resolved. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office said in a statement he had secured "improved financial terms of association" with the Horizon project. "This is the right deal for the UK, unlocking unparalleled research opportunities, and also the right deal for British taxpayers," Sunak said. Sunak's office said Britain would also associate with the European earth observation programme Copernicus, but not with the EU's Euratom programme, instead choosing to pursue a domestic fusion energy strategy.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Daniel Leal, Sunak, Copernicus, Rishi Sunak's, Ursula von der Leyen, Alistair Smout, Kylie MacLellan, Elizabeth Piper, John Stonestreet Organizations: Britain's, Kent Scientific Services, REUTERS Acquire, EU, LONDON, Union's, Horizon, Twitter, Northern Ireland, Thomson Locations: West Malling, Kent, Britain, Horizon Europe, Europe, EU

Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey speaks as he attends a press conference for the Monetary Policy Report August 2023, at the Bank of England in London, Thursday, August 3, 2023. "But I think we are much nearer to it on interest rates on the basis of current evidence." It is expected to raise borrowing costs again later this month, taking Bank Rate to 5.5%. In May, Bailey told the same panel of lawmakers that the BoE was "nearer" to the peak in interest rates. After that, the central bank increased Bank Rate in June and in August.

Persons: Bank of England Andrew Bailey, Alastair Grant, Andrew Bailey, we're, we've, Bailey, BoE, I've, Jon Cunliffe, Cunliffe, Swati Dhingra, Dhingra, Farouq Suleiman, Suban Abdulla, Kylie MacLellan, William Schomberg, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Bank of England, Monetary, Companies Bank of England, Treasury, Thomson Locations: London, British

☆ Hundreds more UK school buildings could be crumbling, says minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Sachin Ravikumar | Thomson Reuters | Sachin Ravikumar Is A Correspondent For Reuters In London Covering General News Across The Uk. Over Nine Years At Reuters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Hundreds more school buildings in England might be crumbling and unsafe, Britain's Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said on Monday after authorities ordered 104 schools to shut buildings with old and weak concrete. The revelations of crumbling school buildings only days before the start of a new term has sparked anger among parents and teachers, representing a new political headache for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of an election expected next year. Keegan told BBC Radio that schools suspected to have RAAC would be inspected in the next two weeks, adding that "most of them won't have RAAC". When asked if there could be hundreds more schools, she acknowledged that "it could be hundreds". Sunak, meanwhile, said that 95% of the roughly 22,000 schools in England would not be affected.

Persons: Gillian Keegan, Rishi Sunak, Keegan, Sunak, Jonathan Slater, Sachin Ravikumar, Kylie MacLellan, Peter Graff, David Goodman Organizations: BBC Radio, Thomson Locations: England, Britain

☆ Grant Shapps replaces Ben Wallace as UK defence minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

British Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Grant Shapps walks on Downing Street on the day of the last cabinet meeting before the summer recess, in London, Britain, July 18, 2023. REUTERS/Anna Gordon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The British government named ex-energy secretary Grant Shapps as the country's new defence minister on Thursday, replacing Ben Wallace who said he wanted to step down after four years in the role and would quit as a lawmaker at the next national election. Wallace, who had been touted as a potential successor to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, had taken a leading role in shaping Britain's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. The defence role will be Shapps' fifth government job over the last year, after serving in four different ministries - transport, interior affairs, business and then at energy and net zero. ($1 = 0.7872 pounds)Reporting by Muvija M, Editing by Kylie MacLellanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Grant Shapps, Anna Gordon, Ben Wallace, Wallace, Jens Stoltenberg, Britain, Muvija, Kylie MacLellan Organizations: State for Energy Security, REUTERS, NATO, Ukraine, Russia, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, British, Ukraine

☆ Britain delays post-Brexit border checks on EU goods till 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Lorries disembark from a cross channel ferry at the Port of Dover, in Dover, Britain September 24, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Aug 29 (Reuters) - The British government will delay imposing full post-Brexit import controls on goods from the European Union by a further three months, it said on Tuesday, pushing the start date back to January 2024. Britain left the EU's single market in January 2021 and has delayed full implementation of border controls several times due to worries about disruption at ports and the risk of adding to a cost-of-living crisis. In contrast, Brussels immediately introduced checks and paperwork for goods moving from Britain into the EU, leading to delays and higher costs, and making it challenging for some businesses to compete. Further requirements, such as physical checks and safety declarations are due to be introduced in stages through 2024.

Persons: Toby Melville, William Bain ,, Kylie MacLellan, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, Northern Ireland, Target, Chambers of Commerce, Thomson Locations: Dover, Britain, British, Brussels, Europe

☆ London's contentious clean air zone ULEZ extends to entire city
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Sachin Ravikumar | Thomson Reuters | Sachin Ravikumar Is A Correspondent For Reuters In London Covering General News Across The Uk. Over Nine Years At Reuters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Signage is seen along the existing boundary of London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) zone ahead of proposed upcoming expansion, in London, Britain, August 22, 2023. The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was introduced in 2019 in a small part of central London and was further expanded in 2021. London Mayor Sadiq Khan says the expansion will reduce deaths from illnesses linked to air pollution and help to curb climate change. Khan told the BBC on Tuesday that introducing the expanded zone was difficult but necessary. Protesters have taken out their ire on ULEZ enforcement cameras, with London's Metropolitan Police recording 164 stolen and 185 damaged cameras as of Aug. 1.

Persons: Toby Melville, Sadiq Khan, Khan, ULEZ, Sachin Ravikumar, Kylie MacLellan, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, London, BBC, Reuters, London's Metropolitan Police, Labour Party, Labour, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Europe, Brussels

☆ Elton John spends night in hospital after slip at his French home - BBC
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - British singer Elton John spent a night in hospital in Monaco being treated for minor injuries after he slipped over at his villa in Nice, the BBC reported on Monday, citing his spokesman. The 76-year-old, who completed his long-running Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour last month, was taken to the orthopaedic department of the Princess Grace hospital centre in Monaco, the BBC said. "Elton visited the local hospital as a precautionary measure," the spokesman said. "Following check-ups, he was immediately discharged this morning and is now back at home and in good health." Reporting by Kylie MacLellan, Editing by Rosalba O'BrienOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Elton John, Princess Grace, Elton, Kylie MacLellan, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: BBC, Thomson Locations: British, Monaco, Nice

☆ Flights to and from UK impacted by air traffic 'technical issue'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The new remote control tower is seen between traffic cones at London City Airport, Britain, April 29, 2021. REUTERS/John Sibley/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Britain's National Air Traffic Service (NATS) was forced to restrict the flow of aircraft on Monday as it works to address a technical issue, it said, with airlines and airports warning of delays and cancellations. "We are currently experiencing a technical issue and have applied traffic flow restrictions to maintain safety. Engineers are working to find and fix the fault," a spokesperson said, adding that UK airspace was not closed. Earlier Scottish airline Loganair said on social media site X, previously known as Twitter, that there had been a network-wide failure of UK air traffic control computer systems, warning international flights may face delays.

Persons: John Sibley, Loganair, NATS, Kylie MacLellan, Mitch Phillips, Louise Heavens, Jason Neely, Alison Williams Organizations: London City Airport, REUTERS, Air Traffic Service, Engineers, Scottish, London Luton, Birmingham, British Airways, Dublin Airport, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Britain, Budapest

☆ Conservative UK lawmaker formally quits with scathing attack on PM Sunak
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Aug 27 (Reuters) - UK member of parliament Nadine Dorries has delivered a scathing attack on her Conservative Party's leader Rishi Sunak in her formal resignation letter, accusing the prime minister of running a "zombie parliament" and lacking any political vision. "Since you took office a year ago, the country is run by a zombie parliament where nothing meaningful has happened. "You hold the office of prime minister unelected, without a single vote, not even from your own MPs. A former finance minister and investment banker, Sunak became prime minister in October last year after being the only candidate to be nominated in a party leadership contest. "In your impatience to become prime minister you put your personal ambition above the stability of the country and our economy," said Dorries.

Persons: Nadine Dorries, Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson, Dorries, Sunak, Johnson, Liz Truss, Kylie MacLellan, Frances Kerry Organizations: Conservative, Labour Party, Conservatives, Labour, Sunak's Conservatives, Thomson Locations: Sunak

☆ Hundreds join largest Loch Ness monster hunt in 50 years in Scotland
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Volunteers get ready to take off in the Loch Ness Project Research Vessel, Deep Scan, as they take part in the largest Loch Ness Monster hunt for 50 years in Scotland, Britain, August 27, 2023. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne Acquire Licensing RightsLOCH NESS, Scotland, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Hundreds of hopeful volunteers joined a two-day hunt for Scotland's fabled Loch Ness monster on Saturday and Sunday, in what organisers described as the biggest search for the elusive "Nessie" in more than 50 years. The Loch Ness Centre, which partnered with voluntary research team Loch Ness Exploration to organise "The Quest", said they would be using surveying equipment that had not previously been tried at the loch, including thermal drones. "We all got a bit excited, ran to go make sure the recorder was on and it wasn’t plugged in." "I chose the Loch Ness monster as my essay assignment, and I thought, 'oh 20 years later it comes full circle so I might as well come and join the hunt' since I heard it was happening," she said, adding that so far they had not found any evidence.

Persons: Russell Cheyne, Alan McKenna, St Columba, Caroline McNamara's, Nessie, Kylie MacLellan, Giles Elgood Organizations: Volunteers, Research, REUTERS, Loch, Thomson Locations: Loch Ness, Scotland, Britain, NESS, London

☆ 'Highly likely' Wagner boss Prigozhin dead but no definitive proof yet -UK
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - There is not yet definitive proof that Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was onboard a plane that crashed with no survivors earlier this week but it is "highly likely" he is dead, Britain's Ministry of Defence said on Friday. "There is not yet definitive proof that Prigozhin was onboard and he is known to exercise exceptional security measures. However, it is highly likely that he is indeed dead," the British ministry said in a defence intelligence update posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. "The demise of Prigozhin would almost certainly have a deeply destabilising effect on the Wagner Group. His personal attributes of hyper-activity, exceptional audacity, a drive for results and extreme brutality permeated Wagner and are unlikely to be matched by any successor."

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Prigozhin, Dimitry Utkin, Valery Chekalov, Kylie MacLellan, Farouq Suleiman, Kate Holton Organizations: Britain's Ministry of Defence, Wagner Group, Thomson Locations: Moscow

☆ UK backlog of asylum applications hits record high
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Britain's backlog of asylum applications awaiting a decision hit a record high in the year to June and the number of those applying was the highest in two decades, according to official figures published on Thursday, in a blow to the government. The Home Office, or interior ministry, said 78,768 asylum applications were made by people who arrived in the country illegally in the 12 months to June, up 19% on the previous year. The backlog of asylum applications was just over 134,000, or 175,457 once dependents are included, adding to pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who in December pledged to clear the initial backlog of cases by the end of this year. "This is a disastrous record for the Prime Minister and Home Secretary," said Stephen Kinnock, Labour’s immigration spokesperson. The government said in the year to June there were 23,702 initial decisions made on asylum applications, up 61% on the previous year.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Stephen Kinnock, Kylie MacLellan, Alistair Smout, Elizabeth Piper, Mark Potter Organizations: Office, Labour Party, Home, Thomson Locations: Britain, Rwanda

☆ UK PM Sunak breached parliament's code of conduct inadvertently - watchdog
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not properly declare his wife's shareholding in a childcare company which stood to benefit from new government policy but the failure was inadvertent, parliament's standards watchdog said on Wednesday. The commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, is responsible for the House of Commons code of conduct and investigates any alleged breaches. "Having considered the information available to me, I have decided that the breach of the code appears to have been inadvertent," Greenberg said. In a letter to Greenberg, published by the commissioner's office, Sunak apologised for confusing the language of registration and declaration. "I am pleased that this matter will now be concluded by way of rectification," Sunak added.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Akshata Murthy, Daniel Greenberg, Greenberg, Kylie MacLellan, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: British, Parliament's, Thomson

☆ Some of UK retailer Wilko's stores set to close after no buyer found
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A branch of the discount retail homeware store Wilko is seen in London, Britain, August 3, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Some of British homeware and household goods discount retailer Wilko's stores are likely to close after a buyer could not be found for the whole group, administrator PWC said on Wednesday. PWC said that contrary to an earlier statement from the GMB trade union, there were no plans to close stores next week and they would continue to remain open and trade "in the immediate term". The family-owned retailer said earlier this month it had fallen into administration, putting its 400 stores and 12,500 jobs in danger if a buyer could not be found. Sky News reported the owner of fellow discount store Poundland, Pepco Group, was in discussions to acquire round 100 Wilko stores, while London-listed discount chain B&M European Retail could take on 40-50 shops.

Persons: Toby Melville, PWC, Kylie MacLellan, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Sky News, Pepco, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Leicester, England

☆ Killer UK nurse Lucy Letby jailed for the rest of her life
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Members of the media work near a large screen showing a picture of convicted hospital nurse Lucy Letby, ahead of her sentencing, outside the Manchester Crown Court, in Manchester, Britain, August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Phil Noble Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Nurse Lucy Letby, Britain's most prolific serial child killer in modern times, will spend the rest of her life behind bars, a judge ordered on Monday following her conviction for murdering seven newborn babies and trying to kill another six. "This was a cruel calculated and cynical campaign of child murder involving the smallest and most vulnerable of children," said the judge, James Goss, who sentenced her to life imprisonment with no prospect of release. "There was a deep malevolence bordering on sadism in your actions ... You have no remorse. Reporting by Michael Holden, Editing by Kylie MacLellanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lucy Letby, Phil Noble, Countess, Chester, James Goss, Michael Holden, Kylie MacLellan Organizations: Manchester Crown Court, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, England

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