UK’s Sunak ramps up criticism of Greek leader in Parthenon Marbles spat

LONDON — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak escalated his war of words with the leader of Greece on Wednesday, accusing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of trying to “grandstand” over the disputed Parthenon Marbles and breaking a promise to the U.K. government. Mitsotakis, meanwhile, said the dispute had helped draw international attention to Greece’s longstanding claim … Read more

Greek officials angry and puzzled after UK’s Sunak scraps leaders’ meeting over Parthenon Marbles

LONDON — Greek officials said Tuesday that they will continue talks with the British Museum about bringing the Parthenon Marbles back to Athens, despite U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak abruptly canceling a meeting with his Greek counterpart where the contested antiquities were due to be discussed. But the U.K. government said ownership of the marbles … Read more

UK’s Sunak snubs Greek PM amid ancient sculpture dispute

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 23: Visitors to the British Museum walk around a selection of items from the collection of ancient Greek sculptures known as The Elgin Marbles on August 23, 2023 in London, England. Leon Neal | Getty Images News | Getty Images LONDON — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled a scheduled meeting … Read more

The UK’s interior minister accuses police of favoring pro-Palestinian protesters

LONDON — Britain’s interior minister has accused the country’s largest police force of being more lenient toward pro-Palestinian demonstrators than other groups, deepening a political feud sparked by the Israel-Hamas war. In a highly unusual attack on the police, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said London’s Metropolitan Police force was ignoring lawbreaking by “pro-Palestinian mobs.” She … Read more

UK’s online safety regulator puts out draft guidance on illegal content, saying child safety is priority 

The U.K.’s newly empowered Internet content regulator has published the first set of draft Codes of Practice under the Online Safety Act (OSA) which became law late last month. More codes will follow but this first set — which is focused on how user-to-user (U2U) services will be expected to respond to different types of illegal … Read more

Shares of UK’s Metro Bank up 26% after securing fresh capital

A close-up of a sign of Britain’s Metro Bank. Matthew Horwood | Getty Images LONDON — Shares of the U.K.’s Metro Bank were sharply higher Monday morning, after the lender on late Sunday announced it had secured a £325 million ($395.6 million) capital raise and £600 million in debt refinancing. The capital raise includes £150 … Read more

UK’s Metro Bank shares suspended multiple times after plunging more than 25%

A close-up of a sign of Britain’s Metro Bank. Matthew Horwood | Getty Images LONDON — Shares of Britain’s Metro Bank were briefly suspended from trading twice early Thursday, in a volatile session that saw the stock shed more than 29% from the Wednesday close. They have since slightly pared losses, having resumed again trading … Read more

Scottish officials approve UK’s first drug consumption room intended for safer use of illegal drugs

LONDON — Scottish authorities on Wednesday approved a 2.3 million-pound ($2.8 million) pound drug consumption room, the first government-backed place in the U.K. where users can take illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroin under the supervision of medical staff. Local officials in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Wednesday approved the facility, which had … Read more

UK’s Moonfire VC raises its second fund at $115M to purpose at early stage startups

It was again within the Pandemic period of 2021 that we reported on the launch of Moonfire, on the time a $60 million “Fund I” seed-stage “data-driven” VC geared across the new world of distant working and distant pitching. It’s new $115 million fund-raise (“Fund II”) plans to proceed what it calls its “data-driven” strategy. … Read more

King’s pledge of service defines UK’s trendy monarchy

Touch upon this storyComment LONDON — If one thread ran all through the festivities marking the coronation of King Charles III, it was the concept of public service. It was there when Charles stood earlier than a choirboy at Westminster Abbey on Saturday and promised to serve. It was there within the phrases of his … Read more