David Stringer
European nations, Australia expel Syrian diplomats
LONDON (AP) — British officials say the U.K. is expelling three Syrian diplomats in protest at the killing of civilians, including the deaths of 108 people shot in their homes last week.
Officials, who demanded anonymity to discuss the action ahead of a planned public statement from Foreign Secretary William Hague, said Tuesday that Britain was taking the step as part of a coordinated effort with other nations, including France, Germany and Australia.
Syria’s charge d’affaires, Ghassan Dalla, the country’s top ranking diplomat in London, is among those being expelled.
Ex-tabloid boss Brooks faces phone hacking charges
FILE This Friday, May 11, 2012 file photo shows Rebekah Brooks, former chief executive of News International and her husband Charlie Brooks leaving the High Court in London after giving evidence to the Leveson Inquiry. Brooks said Tuesday May 15, 2012 she and her husband will face charges over Britain's tabloid phone hacking scandal. Brooks, 43, said Tuesday in a statement that she will be prosecuted over allegations of obstruction of justice. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)(Credit: AP) LONDON (AP) — Former U.K. tabloid editor Rebekah Brooks, her husband and four close aides were charged Tuesday over alleged attempts to conceal evidence in Britain’s phone hacking scandal — the first prosecutions since police reopened inquiries 18 months ago into wrongdoing by the country’s scandal-hungry press.
Brooks was one of Rupert Murdoch’s most trusted lieutenants for years and a close friend of the current Conservative prime minister, David Cameron. The prospect that courts will hear potentially explosive accusations against her and her husband could rock both Murdoch’s worldwide media empire and Cameron’s political career.
Continue Reading CloseEx-tabloid chief: Cameron sent message when I quit
Former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks gives evidence to Britain's media ethics inquiry in central London Friday May 11 2012 in this image from television. Brooks is a central figure in the scandal over tabloid phone hacking that has shaken both Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. and Britain's establishment. She resigned in July as chief executive of News International, Murdoch's British newspaper operation, and has twice been arrested and questioned by police about illegal eavesdropping and obstruction of justice. (AP Photo)(Credit: AP) LONDON (AP) — Former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks — a pivotal figure in Britain’s tabloid phone hacking saga — said Friday that Prime Minister David Cameron commiserated with her after she quit in the wake of the scandal.
The 43-year-old Brooks, who resigned in July as chief executive of News International, Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper operation, told the country’s media ethics inquiry of her close ties to those in power.
Known for her striking red curls and meteoric rise from junior employee to editor at News of the World, Brooks acknowledged she had messages of support from politicians including Cameron and ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair when she stepped down.
Continue Reading CloseEx-tabloid chief: Cameron sent message when I quit
Rebekah Brooks, former chief executive of News International, arrives at the High Court in London to give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry, Friday, May 11, 2012. The Leveson Inquiry is Britain's media ethics probe that was set up in the wake of the scandal over phone hacking at Rupert Murdoch's News of the World, which was shut in July 2011 after it became clear that the tabloid had systematically broken the law. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)(Credit: AP) LONDON (AP) — Former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks — a pivotal figure in Britain’s tabloid phone hacking saga — told the country’s media ethics inquiry Friday that Prime Minister David Cameron commiserated with her after she quit in the wake of the scandal.
Brooks, 43, resigned in July as chief executive of News International, Murdoch’s British newspaper operation, and has twice been arrested and questioned by police about illegal eavesdropping and obstruction of justice.
Continue Reading CloseUK govt to focus on economy, reform House of Lords
CORRECTS DATE TO 2012 Britain's Queen Elizabeth II reads the Queen's Speech to lawmakers in the House of Lords in London, Wednesday, May 9, 2012. Queen Elizabeth II said Wednesday that Britain's government plans to finally reform the centuries-old House of Lords and introduce direct elections for members. Announcing the government's new legislative program in an opulent pageant of pomp and politics, the queen said planned laws would introduce a smaller, mainly upper elected chamber. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Pool)(Credit: AP) LONDON (AP) — Wearing a crown studded with glittering jewels, Queen Elizabeth II set out Britain’s new legislative agenda in opulent style Wednesday — but announced a frugal program aimed at boosting economic growth and overhauling the unelected House of Lords after decades of delays.
Though the queen read aloud the government’s plans in the traditional pageant of power, pomp and politics, she has no role in drafting the content. Each proposed law must also be debated and approved by lawmakers — with votes in Parliament if necessary — before it can hit the statute book.
Continue Reading ClosePomp and poverty: UK sets out legislative agenda
LONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II was scheduled Wednesday to set out the British government’s annual legislative program in traditionally opulent style — an agenda focused on kick-starting stalled economic growth amid painful austerity measures and a slide back into recession.
Hundreds of people are expected to crowd along the streets outside Parliament to see the monarch’s horse-drawn carriage parade from Buckingham Palace in a lavish ceremony featuring glittering carriages, sparkling diamonds and canon fire.
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