2009 United Kingdom Special Weapons News |
- British Leader Vows Afghan Mission Unchanged VOA 04 Nov 2009 -- Prime Minister Gordon Brown underlined that British forces remain committed to their difficult mission there.
- Afghan Policeman Kills 5 British Soldiers VOA 04 Nov 2009 -- British defense officials say five British soldiers have been shot dead by an Afghan police officer in southern Helmand Province.
- U.K., Russia are now 'a step forward from yesterday' - Miliband RIA Novosti 04 Nov 2009 -- British Foreign Secretary Miliband appraised his recent visit to Moscow and the meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
- Britain Attempts Own Russia 'Reset' With Miliband Visit To Moscow RFE/RL 02 Nov 2009 -- After years of tension, Britain and Russia are attempting to reset their relations.
- Miliband, Lavrov find common ground on international issues RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov and his British counterpart David Miliband signed joint statements in Moscow.
- Royal Navy cuts: ships as reflection of state might RIA Novosti 30 Oct 2009 -- Her Majesty's Navy has cancelled plans to build the aircraft carrier Prince of Wales, newswires announced in the middle of the week
- Britain Remembers Iraq Conflict VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Britain remembered the soldiers and servicemen who served in Iraq at a ceremony formally marking the end of British military involvement in the country.
- British Arms Manufacturer Faces Bribery Charges VOA 01 Oct 2009 -- Britain's Serious Fraud Office announced it will seek to prosecute the world's No. 2 defense contractor on charges of corruption.
- UK leader, addressing UN debate, calls for ‘grand’ global nuclear bargain UN News Centre 23 Sep 2009 -- UK PM Brown proposed a “grand bargain” between nations with and without nuclear weapons.
- British Paper Says Kazakh Ambassador 'KGB Spy' RFE/RL 18 Aug 2009 -- A British newspaper says it has evidence that the Kazakh ambassador to Britain has been a spy since 1988.
- Parliamentary Committee Calls for Inquiry into Alleged British Torture Complicity VOA 04 Aug 2009 -- British human rights parliamentary committee called for an independent inquiry to be established to examine claims that British intelligence was complicit in acts of torture on terrorism suspects during rendition.
- Lockheed Martin-Built Trident II D5 Missile Achieves 127 Successful Test Flights Lockheed Martin 30 Jul 2009 -- The U.S. Navy supported the May 26 launch of a U.K. Royal Navy Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT).
- British Government Defends its Strategy and Support in Afghanistan VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Britain's Defense Secretary Ainsworth tried to rebut claims British forces are under-equipped for mission they are engaged in.
- Britain Revokes 5 Arms Export Licenses to Israel VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Israeli and British officials: Britain has revoked licenses from several companies that export arms to Israel.
- First swine flu death registered in Europe RIA Novosti 15 Jun 2009 -- The first human death in Europe as a result of swine flu has been registered in Scotland, local officials have announced.
- UK Reports First Swine Flu Death Outside Americas VOA 15 Jun 2009 -- Britain is reporting its first H1N1 swine flu death, the first known fatality outside the Americas.
- Swine Flu cases pass 900 in UK IRNA 12 Jun 2009 -- There are now 909 confirmed cases of Swine Flu in the UK and that figure is likely to further increase.
- UK veteran wins right to sue over nuclear weapons tests IRNA 05 Jun 2009 -- British ex-servicemen, who took part in nuclear weapons tests, won the right to sue the government for compensation.
- British soldiers killed in Afghanistan overtakes Iraq toll IRNA 03 Jun 2009 -- Number of British troops killed in Afghanistan as a result of hostile action has overtaken the 136 combat deaths in Iraq.
- UK pressing for new sanctions against North Korea IRNA 02 Jun 2009 -- British government is pressing for further sanctions to be imposed after DPRK carried out nuclear tests.
- Miliband acknowledges backlash caused by Iraq war IRNA 21 May 2009 -- Foreign Secretary Miliband placing the war alongside the Crusades and colonialism in a list of “prejudices that British history generates.”
- UK strategy in Afghanistan 'long-term', says armed forces minister IRNA 20 May 2009 -- Armed Forces Minister Ainsworth refused to say when British troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan.
- Parliamentary Group Clears British Intelligence of Failing to Prevent London Bombings VOA 19 May 2009 -- Committee released findings into what country's intelligence service knew before 7th of July 2005.
- MI5 unable to track terror suspects ahead of London bombings IRNA 19 May 2009 -- Britain's security service did not have manpower to do checks on ringleader of the London bombings ahead of attacks in 2005.
- Further delays in major UK defence projects IRNA 15 May 2009 -- Britain’s major defence projects are continuing to suffer further delays and increased costs according to the latest annual report.
- Another British soldier killed in Afghan explosion IRNA 15 May 2009 -- Britain’s Ministry of Defence announced that another UK soldier had been killed in an explosion in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
- Two-thirds of UK terror suspects released without charge IRNA 14 May 2009 -- Less than 7% percent of terrorist suspects arrested in Britain since 9/11 have so far been convicted under terrorism legislation.
- UK refuses to intervene over deportation of Pakistani students IRNA 14 May 2009 -- British government rejected appeal to prevent deportation of students detained originally under terrorism legislation.
- UK’s new armoured vehicles in Afghanistan ‘unreliable’ IRNA 14 May 2009 -- New armoured vehicles performed so badly in Afghanistan that commanders had to resort to Land Rovers they were to replace.
- UK names individuals banned from entering country IRNA 05 May 2009 -- Home Office announced it was publishing for the first time a list of individuals who were banned from entering the UK for 'stirring-up hatred'.
- UK monitoring agency spies ‘only when necessary’ IRNA 05 May 2009 -- GCHQ, the British government’s electronic eavesdropping centre has denied it was planning to target everyone in the UK.
- Renewed calls for Iraq inquiry as UK troops withdraw IRNA 01 May 2009 -- Opposition MPs are joining peace campaigners in stepping up demands for an immediate inquiry into the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
- Britain Ends Combat Role in Iraq VOA 30 Apr 2009 -- British forces have ceased combat operations in Iraq, handing over the role to U.S. troops.
- U.K. to pull out of Iraq one month earlier - Defence Secretary RIA Novosti 30 Apr 2009 -- British Defence Secretary Hutton announced that British troops would leave one month earlier than initially planned.
- Costs blamed for limited increase in UK troops in Afghanistan IRNA 30 Apr 2009 -- British army chiefs were reported to have lost out in wanting to permanently raise the number of UK troops deployed in Afghanistan.
- Catalogue of safety breaches at UK’s nuclear base IRNA 27 Apr 2009 -- Britain's nuclear submarine fleet has been hit by a series of serious safety breaches at its home base in Scotland.
- More British troops accused of abuse in Iraq IRNA 23 Apr 2009 -- British troops have been accused of using interrogation techniques on Iraqi civilian detainees in Maysan Province that breached human rights laws.
- Extra 2,000 British troops on standby to go to Afghanistan IRNA 17 Apr 2009 -- 2,000 troops have been designated for possible deployment to Afghanistan to boost Britain's military presence to over 10,000.
- Iran dismisses Miliband's mandatory statement IRNA 14 Apr 2009 -- FM spokesman Qashqavi dismissed "the mandatory statement" made by British Foreign Secretary Miliband over nuclear program.
- UK hopeful of new impetus to resolve Iran nuclear dispute IRNA 09 Apr 2009 -- British Foreign Office hopeful that "new direction" of US policy will help to break the logjam and lead to progress.
- UK in first trade mission to Baghdad since arms-for-Iraq scandal IRNA 07 Apr 2009 -- Britain's Business Secretary Lord Mandelson is urging UK companies to 'seize the opportunity' of investing in Iraq.
- Miliband: West ready to solve Iran’s nuclear issue IRNA 02 Apr 2009 -- British foreign secretary: West ready for surveying various multilateral initiatives aimed at solving Iran’s nuclear issue.
- Protesters Square Off with Police as London Prepares for G20 VOA 01 Apr 2009 -- Thousands of police squared off with thousands of protesters as the British capital prepares to host the G-20 summit.
- Unprecedented security for G20 summit IRNA 01 Apr 2009 -- Final preparations were being put in place for G20 summit amid the launch of Britain's biggest ever policing operation.
- Replacing Trident nukes within NPT framework, UK insists IRNA 31 Mar 2009 -- British government denied that any plans to replace the country's nuclear warheads would be in breach of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
- Britain wants bilateral talks with Iran over the nuclear issue IRNA 26 Mar 2009 -- Britain says it supports multilateral and bilateral talks with Iran over its nuclear issue.
- UK checking foreign arms used in Israel IRNA 25 Mar 2009 -- The British government is carrying out its own investigations into what foreign arms were supplied and used in Gaza.
- MPs in new bid for Iraq war inquiry IRNA 24 Mar 2009 -- Conservative Party is launching a new bid in the British parliament to force PM Brown to call an immediate independent inquiry into the Iraq war.
- UK’s new anti-terrorism strategy ‘counter-productive,’ warn Muslims IRNA 24 Mar 2009 -- Britain's largest Muslim organisation has criticised the UK government's plans to widen the definition of extremism.
- UK ends resettlement program for former Iraq staff IRNA 24 Mar 2009 -- Foreign Secretary Miliband has announced ending of his government's offer to resettle former Iraq staff who helped British troops.
- MPs doubt timetable to replace UK nuclear missile system IRNA 20 Mar 2009 -- MPs expressed concern about Britain's ability to maintain a continuous nuclear deterrent.
- Indian top nuclear scientists to visit UK IRNA 20 Mar 2009 -- A delegation of top Indian nuclear scientists led by Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar will be on a 4-day visit to the UK.
- UK police pay £60,000 damages over assaulting terror suspect IRNA 18 Mar 2009 -- Metropolitan police agreed to pay damages to a man after admitting officers subjected him to a prolonged series of assaults.
- Britain ready to cut nuclear arsenal, says Brown IRNA 17 Mar 2009 -- PM Brown: Britain is prepared to further reduce its arsenal of nuclear weapons as part of a co-ordinated move with other nuclear states.
- British PM Warns of Tougher Sanctions for Iran Nuclear Program VOA 17 Mar 2009 -- British PM Brown warned Iran that by continuing to enrich uranium, it faces tougher international sanctions.
- Iran nuclear talks remain conditional, UK clarifies IRNA 17 Mar 2009 -- The renewed offer made to Iran by PM Brown over its nuclear program was more of a change in tone and approach, rather than in substance.
- Brown offers Iran ‘test case’ deal on nuclear power IRNA 17 Mar 2009 -- PM Gordon Brown set to offer to help Iran to develop nuclear power for civilian use within the framework of United Nations rules.
- British PM Renews Nuclear Offer to Iran VOA 17 Mar 2009 -- British PM Brown has renewed offer of international help for Iran to develop a civilian nuclear industry, providing Tehran ends enrichment program.
- UK war costs more than double in less than a year IRNA 09 Mar 2009 -- British MPs are calling on the Ministry of Defense to detail the sudden rise in the military cost of the country’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- British Prime Minister Addresses US Congress VOA 04 Mar 2009 -- In address to joint meeting of US Congress, British PM Brown urged US to seize the opportunity to expand cooperation with Europe .
- Enhanced UK-US collaboration on nuclear weapons to remain secret IRNA 03 Mar 2009 -- British government refusing to disclose details of collaboration with the US on the country's nuclear weapons.
- UK admits handing over Iraq prisoners to US for rendition IRNA 27 Feb 2009 -- UK government under pressure to hold inquiry into role in extraordinary rendition of terror suspects.
- Britain Acknowledges Two 'Rendition' Cases VOA 27 Feb 2009 -- Britain admitted that 2 terror suspects captured in 2004 in Iraq were later surrendered to the US and transferred to a prison in Afghanistan.
- UK’s top Palestinian charity cleared of any terrorist links IRNA 27 Feb 2009 -- Britain’s top Palestinian charity has been cleared for the third time of any alleged links with so-called terrorist organisations.
- Britain Refuses To Publish Cabinet Record Of Iraq War Decision RFE/RL 25 Feb 2009 -- The British government has vetoed publication of minutes from ministerial discussions about legality of invasion of Iraq.
- Straw accused of cover-up over Iraq war decision IRNA 25 Feb 2009 -- Justice Secretary Jack Straw to used ministerial veto to prevent publication of minutes of key Cabinet meetings in the run-up to Iraq war.
- UK welcomes US overtures towards Iran IRNA 25 Feb 2009 -- The British government has praised the new policy adopted by US President Barack Obama in wanting to engage with Iran.
- UK to ‘vigorously defend’ legal challenge to Israel policy IRNA 24 Feb 2009 -- A historic legal case effectively challenging the British government’s relations with Israel launched.
- Freed Guantanamo Detainee is Back in Britain VOA 23 Feb 2009 -- Former British resident Binyam Mohamed has been released from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after 7 years of detention.
- 'Tortured' Guantanamo detainee back in UK IRNA 23 Feb 2009 -- UK resident Binyam Mohamed returned to Britain after being incarcerated at the US internment camp in Guantanamo Bay for more than four years.
- Britain Says US to Transfer Guantanamo Detainee to UK VOA 20 Feb 2009 -- The British government said the United States is to transfer a Guantanamo Bay detainee to Britain.
- Britain One-Step Closer to Expelling Radical Muslim Cleric VOA 18 Feb 2009 -- Britain's highest court has cleared the way for the expulsion of radical Muslim cleric, Abu Qatada.
- Former Security Chief: UK exploiting terrorism to restrict liberties IRNA 17 Feb 2009 -- Former head of Britain’s MI5 accused the country's Labor government of exploiting the fear of terrorism to restrict civil liberties.
- UK to widen definition of Muslim extremist IRNA 17 Feb 2009 -- The British government was reported to be considering plans that would lead to thousands more British Muslims being branded as extremists.
- British-French Nuclear-armed Submarine Collision Disclosed VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- British official: Nuclear-armed submarines from Britain and France collided deep under the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month.
- UK costs of Iraq, Afghan wars soar IRNA 13 Feb 2009 -- The cost of Britain's military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq soared by more than 50 per cent according to the latest official figures.
- US carrying out ‘illegal’ nuclear arms research in UK IRNA 09 Feb 2009 -- Opposition MPs calling for a full parliamentary inquiry into reports that the US has been carrying out illegal nuclear arms research in the UK.
- Miliband defends keeping alleged US torture evidence secret IRNA 05 Feb 2009 -- Foreign Secretary Miliband defended the non-disclosure of US intelligence in the case of alleged CIA torture.
- Senior UK soldier arrested over Afghan 'secrets' IRNA 04 Feb 2009 -- British Army officer arrested in Afghanistan for allegedly supplying sensitive civilian casualty figures to a human rights campaigner.
- Foreign recruits in British army capped at 15 per cent IRNA 03 Feb 2009 -- Defence Secretary John Hutton: The number of foreign and Commonwealth recruits in three army regiments is being capped at 15 per cent.
- UK should take lead on nuclear disarmament, says former Nato commander IRNA 30 Jan 2009 -- The British government should take a lead on nuclear disarmament by giving up its Trident weapons system.
- UK has own stockpiles of white phosphorous, minister admits IRNA 21 Jan 2009 -- Defense Minister Quentin Davies admitted that Britain's armed forces has its own arsenal of white phosphorous shells.
- UK armed forces under 'substantial' strain, says defense secretary IRNA 20 Jan 2009 -- Britain's armed forces are under 'substantial' strain after fighting in two wars.
- British official concedes U.S drone attacks affects Pakistan IRNA 20 Jan 2009 -- British Defence Secretary Hutton conceded that the continuing US drone attacks in Pakistan having serious negative fallout.
- War on terror was mistaken, admits Miliband IRNA 16 Jan 2009 -- Foreign Secretary David Miliband admitted that the so-called 'war on terror' was wrong and may have caused "more harm than good".
- UK has no need for nuclear weapons, says former army chiefs IRNA 16 Jan 2009 -- The claim that Britain’s nuclear weapons are still vital to the security of the country a “fallacy,” according to 3 former military chiefs.
- Britain's Miliband Calls for Reassessment of 'War on Terror' VOA 15 Jan 2009 -- Britain's foreign secretary calling for democracies to rethink their strategy against extremists.
