Britain

The Guardian reports: A Metropolitan police officer has been revealed as a serial rapist who committed more than 71 serious sexual offences, despite the force being told of repeated allegations over two decades that he was a threat to women. PC David Carrick, an armed officer in the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command, admitted on Monday to 49 counts – …

The Telegraph reports: A law to ban all conversion therapy will be announced as soon as Monday, as Rishi Sunak reverses Boris Johnson’s decision to scale back the intervention. Mr Johnson vowed to ban homosexual conversion therapy when prime minister, but decided not to do the same for transgender conversion therapy. This week, government ministers are set to make clear …

The BBC reports: Andrew Bridgen has been suspended as a Conservative MP for spreading misinformation about Covid vaccination. It comes after the North West Leicestershire MP posted a tweet that compared vaccines to the Holocaust. Tory chief whip Simon Hart said the comments had “crossed a line” and caused great offence. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also condemned the remarks, calling …

The Metro reports: Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport have seized material contaminated with uranium, it has been reported. Counter-terrorism is said to be investigating the incident after a package coming into the UK was found with traces of the radioactive element. It was discovered by officers on December 29, and after being assessed it was said to be ‘posing …

The BBC reports: Single-use items like plastic cutlery, plates and polystyrene trays will be banned in England, the government has confirmed. It is not clear when the ban will come into effect but it follows similar moves by Scotland and Wales. Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said the move would help protect the environment for future generations. Campaigners welcomed the ban, …

The Washington Post reports: Britain’s King Charles III delivered a message of empathy and unity, and paid homage to the past, in his first Christmas address as monarch — taking up a tradition associated with defining moments in the reign of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The Christmas message, watched by millions in Britain and the Commonwealth nations, has …

Pitchfork reports: Terry Hall, the lead singer of the legendary ska band the Specials and former member of Fun Boy Three and the Colourfield, has died, his bandmates in the Specials have confirmed. They broke the news on social media, writing, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing, following a brief illness, of Terry, our beautiful friend, …

The Times of London reports: A teenager from Derbyshire faces extradition to the United States after being found guilty of publishing far-right terrorist material that inspired a mass shooting in Buffalo, New York. Daniel Harris, 19, from Glossop, produced videos that called for armed insurrection and glorified the crimes of white supremacist mass murderers. His videos were viewed by Payton …

The Daily Beast reports: English soccer fans have been banned from dressing up as knights in shining armor ahead of Friday’s World Cup match against the U.S. in Qatar because the outfits are considered offensive to Muslims. British supporters have dressed up as St. George—the patron saint of England—at international sports tournaments for at least two decades. But international soccer …

The Guardian reports: The Conservative peer Michelle Mone and her children secretly received £29 million originating from the profits of a PPE business that was awarded large government contracts after she recommended it to ministers, documents seen by the Guardian indicate. Lady Mone’s support helped the company, PPE Medpro, secure a place in a “VIP lane” the government used during …

The Associated Press reports: Rishi Sunak has become British prime minister after being asked to form a government by King Charles III. Sunak met at Buckingham Palace with the king, who had just accepted the resignation of Liz Truss. In Britain’s constitutional monarchy, the monarch plays a ceremonial role in appointing government leaders. Sunak is expected to immediately begin appointing …

Well, that was surprisingly fast: Rishi Sunak will be named the U.K.‘s new prime minister, following a fast-tracked Conservative Party leadership race initiated to fill the void left by Liz Truss’ resignation. The 42-year-old takes over just seven weeks after placing second to Truss, who stepped down Thursday, bringing to a swift close her 44 days in office — the …

The Associated Press reports: Former Treasury chief Rishi Sunak on Monday was the strong favorite to become Britain’s next prime minister within days — or even hours — after former leader Boris Johnson dropped out of the Conservative Party leadership contest. Sunak, 42, is the only candidate with confirmed support from more than 100 lawmakers, the number needed to run …

CNN reports: Boris Johnson was on Sunday battling to win enough support to make what would be a stunning comeback as Britain’s prime minister, as senior Conservative politicians declared their support for former finance minister Rishi Sunak. The two men have become the early favorites to replace Liz Truss, who announced her resignation Thursday just six weeks into a term …

The BBC reports: We’ve been hearing from more and more Tory MPs in the last few hours as they declare who they are backing. Health minister Robert Jenrick – a Sunak backer – told followers it was “not the right time” for Boris Johnson to return. Johnson’s former housing secretary said while “there may be another time for Boris”, “the …

Reuters reports: Boris Johnson arrived back in Britain on Saturday as he considers an audacious attempt to win a second term as prime minister only weeks after he was forced to step down, with some colleagues warning his comeback could create more political chaos. Johnson, who was on holiday in the Caribbean when Truss resigned, has not commented publicly about …

Reuters reports: Boris Johnson and his former finance minister Rishi Sunak were leading potential contenders to replace British Prime Minister Liz Truss on Friday, with candidates canvassing support to become Conservative Party leader in a fast-tracked contest. Truss quit on Thursday after six weeks in power. Those who want to replace her must secure 100 votes from Conservative lawmakers by …

The Telegraph reports: Boris Johnson is expected to stand in the Tory leadership contest to replace his successor Liz Truss, The Telegraph understands. Mr Johnson was forced out of No 10 on September 6 this year but he is understood to now be taking soundings about trying to get his old job back. The battle to replace Ms Truss is …

Reuters reports: Britain’s Liz Truss battled to retain her grip on power on Thursday, a day after she lost a second top minister and open arguments and jostling among her lawmakers in parliament highlighted a breakdown of party unity and discipline. In just six weeks as prime minister, Truss has been forced to abandon almost all her policy programme after …

Politico Europe reports: Is it too late now to say sorry? After weeks of market turmoil and countless U-turns, British Prime Minister Liz Truss apologized late Monday for what she called “the mistakes that have been made” during the opening weeks of her already imperiled premiership. “First of all, I do want to accept responsibility and say sorry for the …