United Kingdom - Azzet - Business news, investments companies & executives

Sign inJoin Now

United Kingdom

United Kingdom
UK to supply Norway with anti-submarine warships
The United Kingdom has struck a UK£10 billion (A$20.61 billion) deal to supply Norway with at least five new anti-submarine warships, as the two countries agree to collaborate on countering Russian activity in Northern Europe. These Type 26 frigates will be built in Scotland by U.K. defence contractor BAE Systems. The deal will support 4,000 jobs across BAE Systems’ Glasgow operations and the UK maritime supply chain until the late 2030s, the UK’s government said. “For over 75 years, Britain and Norway have stood together on NATO’s northern and north-eastern frontiers, keeping the UK and Europe safe. This historic defence deal deepens our strategic partnership,” according to U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey. “With Norway, we will train, operate, deter, and – if necessary – fight together. Our navies will work as one, leading the way in NATO, with this deal putting more world-class warships in the North Atlantic to hunt Russian submarines, protect our critical infrastructure, and keep both our nations secure.” This will be Norway’s largest ever procurement for its armed forces. Delivery of the frigates will begin in 2030. The UK also guaranteed UK£10 billion in industrial cooperation with Norwegian industry, accord
United Kingdom
Nigel Farage announces mass deportation plan
Nigel Farage has announced a mass deportation plan for Britain, which would require the reversal of human rights laws. Farage, leader of the U.K.'s far right, anti immigration, Reform party, announced the new plan on Tuesday at a press conference. He outlined a pathway that would see the U.K removed from the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act repealed and ending in the mass deportation of asylum seekers. The Reform party said these changes to asylum law would enable them to deport 600,000 asylum seekers, including women and children, in just its first term in power if it wins the next election. "We are not far away from major civil disorder," Farage said. “It is an invasion, as these young men illegally break into our country.”
United Kingdom
MI6 British spy agency gets its first female chief
Blaise Metreweli will become the first-ever female chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). The Chief, also known by the codename C, is the only publicly named member of the organisation. Metreweli was appointed as the 18th chief of the organisation and appointed by United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “The historic appointment of Blaise Metreweli comes at a time when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital,” he said. “The [U.K] is facing threats on an unprecedented scale – be it aggressors who send their spy ships to our waters or hackers whose sophisticated cyber plots seek to disrupt our public services.” As part of her role, Metreweli will have operational responsibility for the MI6 and be accountable to the Foreign Secretary. Metreweli says she was proud and honoured to be appointed to the role. “MI6 plays a vital role - [along] with MI5 and GCHQ - in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas,” she said. “I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners.” The appointment mirrors on-screen depictions of the agency in James Bond where Judi Dench played the I16 chief for
United Kingdom
Cargo vessel, oil tanker collide off England's coast
An oil tanker, carrying jet fuel for the United States military, has collided with a cargo ship off the north coast of England, with one crew member reported missing. Thirty-six people, comprising of the crews from both vessels, were brought ashore after being forced to evacuate with one taken to hospital and one still missing. The incident took place around approximately 10 am UTC (8 pm AEST) and as of 10:30 pm UTC (9:30 am AEST) the coastguard reported that both ships were still on fire.Credit: The BBCThe tanker, the Stena Immaculate, was at anchor when the container ship, Solong, hit it, causing it's Jet-A1 fuel contents to partially spill into the surrounding North Sea, raising concerns from environmental groups. The Solong was also carrying 15 containers of the toxic chemical sodium cyanide. The Stena Immaculate is owned by United States logistics group Crowley, who took to X writing that it would be “supporting the relevant authorities in the UK who are investigating this incident” and deferring to them regarding queries about the cause of the collision.
United Kingdom
Prince Harry wins damages, Murdoch papers apology
Prince Harry and Rupert Murdoch’s British newspapers have settled a lawsuit after they apologised and agreed to pay substantial damages to the youngest son of Britain’s King Charles for illegally obtaining private information about him. News Group Newspapers (NGN), owned by Murdoch-controlled News Corporation, admitted in Britain’s High Court on Wednesday they had illegally obtained private information about Harry, the Duke of Sussex, from 1996 till 2011. Harry, 40, and his co-claimant, British politician Tom Watson, sued NGN over unlawful activities carried out by tabloid journalists and private investigators employed by its newspapers The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World. "In a monumental victory today, News UK have admitted that The Sun, the flagship title for Rupert Murdoch’s U.K. media empire, has indeed engaged in illegal practices," Harry and Watson said in a statement read by their lawyer David Sherborne outside Britain's High Court in London. "Today the lies are laid bare. Today, the cover-ups are exposed. And today proves that no one stands above the law. The time for accountability has arrived.” Sources familiar with the deal said the settlement totalled more than 10 million pounds (A$19.63 milli

United Kingdom
Aussie exchange glitch ends in millions in Bitcoin fraud
United Kingdom police have confiscated £28 million (A$55 million) in assets from an international Bitcoin fraud gang that was alleged to have exploited an anomaly on an Australian cryptocurrency trading website. The investigation centres around a trader called James Parker from Blackpool, who identified the vulnerability eight years ago. Over £20 million in monetary proceeds are said to have been laundered with the aid of Stephen Boys of Clayton-le-Moors, who earned the nickname “Rodney” from the U.K. hit TV series “Only Fools and Horses”. Police investigations revealed that extravagant spending by Boys included £5,000 gift cards distributed on streets and cars purchased for random pub acquaintances. In addition, they purchased luxury watches, houses, cars, and designer goods, including a £600 wine cooler. Boys also admitted to carrying £1 million in cash to pay for a villa from Russians. He also admitted to carrying £60,000 in payoffs to corrupt officials to maintain his money laundering operations. Overall, the police recovered 445 in Bitcoin valued at around £22 million. While Parker did not live to be prosecuted, his co-conspirators received sentences in January 2023, including Boys, 61, who was j
United Kingdom
Unidentified drones fly over U.S. Air Force bases in U.K.
Unidentified drones have been flying over three United States Air Force bases in the United Kingdom, the two countries confirmed yesterday. The drones were seen near the RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhall bases in Suffolk, and the RAF Feltwell base in Norfolk from 20-22 November. The drones "were actively monitored and installation leaders determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents or critical infrastructure,” according to a U.S. Air Force in Europe spokesperson. The number and size of the drones varied, according to the U.S. The drones are unlikely to be hobbyist drones, according to an unnamed CNN source, but the U.S. Air Force has said it is unclear whether they are hostile. “We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites. This includes counter-drone security capabilities,” said a spokesperson for the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence. All three bases primarily house American operations, and are located near each other in eastern England. RAF Mildenhall focuses on air refuelling sites, while RAF Lakenheath houses the U.S.’ 48th Fighter Wing. RAF Feltwell provides logistics and housing for military staff.
United Kingdom
Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over abuse scandal
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has resigned amid a scandal involving his handling of a sexual abuse case linked to the Church of England. The independent Makin Review found that Welby failed to promptly report serial abuser John Smyth to authorities when he became aware of the allegations in 2013. Keith Makin, who led the independent review, said: “The abuse at the hands of John Smyth was prolific and abhorrent. Words cannot adequately describe the horror of what transpired. “Many of the victims who took the brave decision to speak to us about what they experienced have carried this abuse silently for more than 40 years. “Despite the efforts of some individuals to bring the abuse to the attention of authorities, the responses by the Church of England and others were wholly ineffective and amounted to a coverup. “The Church and its associated organisations must learn from this review and implement robust safeguarding procedures across their organisations that are governed independently. “This has been a long process but a necessary one to uncover the extent of John Smyth’s despicable behaviour and how the Church reacted to it. “I would like to sincerely thank the victims for their courage, grace an