August 2021 - United Kingdom Special Weapons News

UK denies Pentagon leaks it pushed to leave Kabul airport gate open before deadly attack Press TV 31 Aug 2021 -- The UK foreign secretary has rejected Pentagon leaks suggesting that Britain was indirectly responsible for the mass casualties of a deadly attack at Kabul airport amid evacuation operations last week.
Raab Denies US Claim UK to Blame For Kabul Airport Death Toll Because It Wanted Abbey Gate Kept Open Sputnik 31 Aug 2021 -- Just before 6 p.m. on 26 August a huge bomb went off near Abbey Gate, the main entrance to Kabul airport, killing 13 US service personnel and at least 170 civilians. A suicide bomber was to blame and Daesh-Khorasan* has claimed responsibility.
UK 'willing to engage' with Taliban, says minister Press TV 30 Aug 2021 -- The UK is "willing to engage" with the Taliban "if [they] start acting like a government," says the government minister, stressing that in spite of the withdrawal, Britain will continue to help people eligible for resettlement.
Macron says France, Britain to submit resolution to UNSC for Kabul safe zone Press TV 29 Aug 2021 -- French President Emmanuel Macron says France and the United Kingdom are planning to present an emergency resolution to the United Nations Security Council for the Taliban to support a civilian-run safe zone in the Afghan capital Kabul, in a bid to protect people trying to leave the war-ravaged country.
Boris Johnson regrets manner of UK withdrawal from Afghanistan Press TV 29 Aug 2021 -- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed his regret of the way his government withdrew from Afghanistan, saying Britain "would not have wished to leave in this way."
Final British Flight For Afghans Departs Kabul; Ambassador Says Those Left Behind 'Not Forgotten' RFE/RL Gandhara 28 Aug 2021 -- The British military has ended its evacuation of civilians from Afghanistan, bringing a close to an operation that airlifted almost 15,000 Afghan and British citizens in the two weeks since the Taliban took control.
UK left hundreds of Afghans behind as last civilian flight departed from Kabul Press TV 28 Aug 2021 -- Britain admits it has left behind hundreds of desperate people trying to leave the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, as the UK civilian evacuation effort came to an end in the capital Kabul.
British victims of Kabul terror attack: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCDO 27 Aug 2021 -- Two British nationals and the child of another British national were killed in the Kabul terror attack on 26 August, the Foreign Secretary has said.
Kabul evacuation enters its final stages UK MOD 27 Aug 2021 -- The UK Armed Forces have now entered the final stages of the evacuation from Hamid Karzai Airport (HKIA) in Kabul.
Secretary Blinken's Call with UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab US Dept. of State 26 Aug 2021
Moscow warns London of consequences if it violates Russian territorial waters again Press TV 26 Aug 2021 -- Moscow has warned London that there will be consequences in the event of a repeat of the incident in June when a British ship crossed into Russian territorial waters near Crimea.
Almost All Brits Without Dual Citizenship Have Left Afghanistan: Raab RFE/RL Gandhara 25 Aug 2021 -- British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on August 25 that almost all British citizens without dual nationality have been evacuated from Afghanistan.
Britain Says Kabul Evacuation Extension 'Unlikely' But Will Still Push For It RFE/RL Gandhara 24 Aug 2021 -- British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace says it is "unlikely" the evacuation operation from Kabul airport will be extended past the August 31 deadline.
The besiegement in Daraa must stop UK FCDO 24 Aug 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Security Council briefing on Syria
Special session of the Human Rights Council on Afghanistan: UK statement UK FCDO 24 Aug 2021 -- Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon addressed the UN Human Rights Council during the special session on serious human rights concerns and situation in Afghanistan.
Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom The White House 23 Aug 2021
Biden, Johnson Discuss Extension Of Troop Deadline In Afghanistan Before G7 Meeting RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Aug 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has held talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on coordinating plans for the evacuation of thousands of people in Afghanistan with just over a week left before the Taliban says it will stop allowing foreign troops to enable the exodus.
UK Minister for Human Rights, South Asia and the Commonwealth to address UN Human Rights Council on Afghanistan UK FCDO 23 Aug 2021 -- Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon will address the UN Human Rights Council tomorrow on Afghanistan.
UK to Offer Free Antibody Tests for up to 8,000 People VOA 22 Aug 2021 -- The United Kingdom, starting on Tuesday, will offer COVID-19 antibody tests to anyone older than 18, for up to 8,000 people.
Former British PM Blair Blasts 'Unnecessary' Military Pullout From Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 22 Aug 2021 -- Tony Blair, the former British prime minister who took his country alongside the United States into war in Afghanistan in 2001, called the Western military pullout from the nation "dangerous" and "unnecessary."
United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group and USS America Expeditionary Strike Group Join Together for LSGE 21 Operations US Navy 22 Aug 2021 -- United Kingdom (U.K.) Carrier Strike Group (CSG 21) and USS America Expeditionary Strike Group (AMA ESG) with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, begin multinational advanced aviation operations in support of Large Scale Global Exercise (LSGE) 21, Aug. 20.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Call With U.K. Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace DoD 22 Aug 2021
UK sanctions Russian FSB operatives over poisoning of Alexey Navalny UK FCDO 20 Aug 2021 -- The UK has sanctioned the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) operatives directly responsible for the Novichok attack on Alexey Navalny.
UK doubles aid to Afghanistan UK FCDO 19 Aug 2021 -- The UK is to double its humanitarian and development aid to Afghanistan, allowing us to provide urgent life-saving assistance to millions of people suffering from the conflict, drought and covid-19.
Britain, France, Germany Voice 'Grave Concern' Over Iran's Uranium Enrichment RFE/RL 19 Aug 2021 -- Britain, France, and Germany -- three of the signatories of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers -- have expressed serious concern over the UN's nuclear watchdog reporting that Tehran has produced uranium metal and stepped up production of weapons-grade enriched uranium in violation of the deal.
E3 Statement on the JCPoA: 19 August 2021 UK FCDO 19 Aug 2021 -- The governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom respond to Iranian plans to produce uranium metal.
Secretary Blinken's Call with UK Foreign Secretary Raab US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2021
Bespoke resettlement route for Afghan refugees announced UK FCDO 18 Aug 2021 -- The Afghan citizens' resettlement scheme to welcome Afghans to the UK who have been forced to flee the country.
Afghanistan: Foreign Secretary speech UK FCDO 18 Aug 2021 -- The Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, made these closing remarks to Parliament at the conclusion of today's debate on Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister's opening statement on Afghanistan: 18 August 2021 Gov.UK 18 Aug 2021 --
Taliban want an 'inclusive' Afghanistan, British army chief suggests Press TV 18 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban have changed and they want an "inclusive" Afghanistan, the head of the British army has said, representing an apparently sanguine appraisal of the situation in the war-torn country.
Joint Statement on the Situation of Women and Girls in Afghanistan US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2021 -- This statement has been co-signed by Albania, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, European Union, Honduras, Guatemala, North Macedonia, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Senegal, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
UK Says Scrambled Fighter Jets to Intercept Russia's Su-24 Over Black Sea Sputnik 17 Aug 2021 -- The UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) said on Tuesday that it had intercepted a military aircraft identified as Russia's Su-24 in international airspace over the Black Sea off the coast of Romania.
Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom The White House 17 Aug 2021
If the Taliban abuse basic human rights, they cannot expect legitimacy in the eyes of the Afghan people or the international community UK FCDO 16 Aug 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Security Council briefing on Afghanistan
If the Taliban abuse basic human rights, they cannot expect legitimacy in the eyes of the Afghan people or the international community UK FCDO 16 Aug 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Security Council briefing on Afghanistan
Boris Johnson recalls Parliament as Afghanistan retreat descends into shambles Press TV 15 Aug 2021 -- As the UK's collapsing position in Afghanistan worsens by the hour, Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has recalled Parliament for the middle of next week to take stock of the developing disaster.
UK Parliament Recalled for Afghan Debate Next Week as Taliban Enters Kabul Sputnik 15 Aug 2021 -- Three prominent Tory backbenchers have criticised Prime Minister Boris Johnson for failing to oppose the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan and called for a new military intervention, even as talks on a transfer of power were underway in Kabul.
England to Soon Offer COVID Vaccines to 16-17 Year-Olds VOA 15 Aug 2021 -- All England's 16- and-17-year-olds will be eligible to receive a first dose of a COVID vaccine by August 23, the National Health Service announced Sunday.
UK sends forces to Afghanistan to facilitate evacuation of British nationals and allies Press TV 14 Aug 2021 -- The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has dispatched the first group of British soldiers to evacuate UK nationals from Afghanistan as part of Operation Pitting.
Nicaragua: UK Statement on Elections UK FCDO 14 Aug 2021 -- Foreign Office Minister Lord Goldsmith has issued a statement on the elections in Nicaragua.
Boris Johnson: Military Intervention in Afghanistan is Not Being Considered Sputnik 13 Aug 2021 -- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is holding a meeting of the COBRA emergency committee over the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.
Military operation established to support the drawdown of British nationals from Afghanistan UK MOD 13 Aug 2021 -- As a result of recent events within Afghanistan, the Prime Minister has agreed the use of military support to facilitate the next phase of drawing down British Nationals from the country, including the use of RAF aircraft should it be needed.
Russia set to expel BBC journalist in row with Britain Press TV 13 Aug 2021 -- The Russian government has told a BBC journalist working in Moscow to leave the country by the end of this month in retaliation for London's "discrimination" against Russian media in Britain, state TV reported.
BBC Condemns 'Assault On Media Freedom' After Russia Expels Moscow Correspondent RFE/RL 13 Aug 2021 -- Russia has refused to renew a visa for a BBC journalist in Moscow, effectively expelling her from the country.
UK steps up support to help British nationals leave Afghanistan UK MOD 12 Aug 2021 -- Additional UK military personnel will deploy to Afghanistan on a short-term basis to provide support to British nationals leaving the country, the Defence Secretary has announced.
Britain reports highest daily coronavirus deaths since March People's Daily 11 Aug 2021 -- Britain recorded another 146 coronavirus-related deaths, the highest daily figure since March 12, according to official data released Tuesday.
Germany Arrests British Embassy Worker Accused of Spying for Russia VOA 11 Aug 2021 -- German authorities said Wednesday that they had arrested a British citizen and accused him of spying for Russia while working at the British Embassy in Berlin.
Arrest of British embassy worker in Germany draws attention to MI5 failure Press TV 11 Aug 2021 -- The arrest of a British embassy worker in Germany on suspicion of selling secrets to Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) is a major embarrassment to the British Security Service (MI5), not least because the drama is unfolding at a delicate time in Anglo-Russian relations.
Germany arrests Briton suspected of 'spying for Russia' Press TV 11 Aug 2021 -- A British embassy worker has been arrested in Germany on suspicion of spying for Russia, following a joint operation by German and British authorities.
UK Citizen Suspected of Spying for Russian Intelligence Detained in Germany Sputnik 11 Aug 2021 -- The arrest was made on 10 August in the German city of Potsdam, with searches having been carried out in the suspect's apartment and workplace.
Media report claiming UK carrier group spots PLA submarines 'not credible' Global Times 09 Aug 2021 -- A report by a UK media organization recently claimed a UK aircraft carrier strike group that sailed in the South China Sea in late July spotted Chinese nuclear-powered submarines that shadowed it during its voyage, but Chinese military experts said on Monday that the report is not credible, and is aimed at showing off the group's presence and boasting of the its anti-submarine capability.
Belarus pres. Lukashenko dismisses UK, US sanctions, says London could 'choke on them' Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has decried new sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Kingdom on his country as part of attempts to pressure him to resign, saying London should "choke on" the restrictive measures.
UK Defence Secretary Slams 'Rotten' US-Taliban Deal, Says NATO Shunned Calls to Stay in Afghanistan Sputnik 09 Aug 2021 -- Violence in Afghanistan has been on the rise since American and NATO troops began to withdraw from the country over the past several months, in sync with an agreement reached between the Taliban and the US in Doha in February 2020.
Paper: UK forces arrive in Yemen to 'hunt' alleged attackers on Israeli tanker Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- British special forces have arrived in Yemen to hunt down those whom the UK alleges are behind a recent drone attack on an Israeli-linked tanker in which a British security guard died, the Daily Express reports.
Brexit red tape hits UK manufacturing of goods from cars to fridges Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- The United Kingdom's manufacturing of goods from cars to fridges is getting hit by Brexit red tape, which holds up supply chains, according to The Independent.
£9.5m investment for military space communications UK MOD 09 Aug 2021 -- The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) have awarded a £9.5 million contract to In-Space Missions Ltd for the build of the Titania satellite, which will undertake vital research on the next-generation of communications technology.
Moscow Sanctions Several UK Citizens in Response to Statement on Human Rights in Chechnya Sputnik 09 Aug 2021 -- Moscow has imposed personal sanctions against a number of UK citizens in response to London's statement on the human rights situation in Russia's Chechen Republic, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
China's Submarines Attempt to Shadow UK Aircraft Carrier Heading to Pacific, British Media Claims Sputnik 08 Aug 2021 -- Chinese nuclear submarines tried to secretly follow UK aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth that was moving into the Pacific Ocean, but were soon identified, the Express newspaper reported on Sunday.
RAF Lossiemouth claims new intercept of Russian aircraft close to UK air space Press TV 07 Aug 2021 -- In the latest intercept of its kind, the Royal Air Force (RAF) claims it has deterred two Russian military aircraft from getting too close to British air space.
G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on the MV Mercer Street Attack US Dept. of State 06 Aug 2021 -- The text of the following statement was released by the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union.
UK becomes Dialogue Partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations UK FCDO 05 Aug 2021 -- The UK has agreed a new partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
OSCE Minsk Group issued on 29 July: UK statement UK FCDO 05 Aug 2021 -- Ambassador Neil Bush welcomes continued efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to secure a sustainable, peaceful and fully negotiated settlement.
No OSCE observation of Russia's State Duma elections: UK statement UK FCDO 05 Aug 2021 -- Ambassador Neil Bush voices UK dismay that Russia's unwarranted restrictions have prevented ODIHR from effectively observing its elections in September.
Britain's Top General Calls for Retaliation on Iran for Drone Strike VOA 04 Aug 2021 -- Britain's top military commander, General Nick Carter, said Wednesday that Western powers need to retaliate for a suspected Iranian drone strike on an oil tanker, which killed a British security guard and the ship's Romanian captain — otherwise Tehran will feel emboldened.
Secretary Blinken's Call with UK Foreign Secretary Raab US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2021
Urging Syria to cooperate fully with the OPCW UK FCDO 04 Aug 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council briefing on Syria chemical weapons
Iran Sentences German And British Dual Nationals To More Than 10 Years In Prison RFE/RL 04 Aug 2021 -- An Iranian Revolutionary Court has sentenced two dual nationals, German-Iranian Nahid Taghavi and British-Iranian Mehran Raouf, to more than 10 years in prison.
British Scientists Fear a Forever COVID War, Germany Opts for Booster Shots VOA 03 Aug 2021 -- The British government's scientific advisers have raised the prospect of fighting a forever war against the coronavirus saying the eradication of the virus "will be unlikely." And they warn "there will always be variants."
Nicola Sturgeon Says Most Covid-19 Restrictions Will Be Lifted in Scotland On 9 August Sputnik 03 Aug 2021 -- Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotland is in a "much better place" than it was a month ago when it had some of the worst Covid numbers in Europe. On 30 July the rolling seven-day average of new infections was 1,153, down from 3,429 on 1 July.
Britain Opens Borders to Fully Vaccinated Travelers From US, Most of EU VOA 02 Aug 2021 -- Britain has opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from the United States and much of Europe, as the government continues to ease coronavirus travel restrictions.
UK's blaming of Iran for ship attack ill-advised IRNA 02 Aug 2021 -- The UK hastily followed suite with the Israeli regime in blaming Iran for the deadly ship attack off Oman coast, neglecting the fact that the ill-advised measure won't have a positive effect on its ties with Iran, as the new Iranian president is nearly taking office.
US, UK join Israel in accusing Iran of tanker attack, give green signal for 'response' Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- The United States and the United Kingdom have joined Israel in accusing Iran of orchestrating Thursday's attack on an Israeli tanker off the coast of Oman, despite Tehran's firm denial.
Iran Threatens 'Prompt, Strong' Response To Threats As U.K. Chides Tehran Over Deadly Tanker Attack RFE/RL 02 Aug 2021 -- Tehran warned on August 2 that it would respond swiftly to any threat to its security, as the United Kingdom summoned the Iranian ambassador over what London and allies say was a deadly attack on a commercial ship off the coast of Oman ordered by Tehran.
UK, Germany 'seek balance' with warship transits in South China Sea despite US pressure Global Times 02 Aug 2021 -- As a UK aircraft carrier task force left the South China Sea on Monday after only a week in the region, apparently without making provocative moves on China like UK reports previously claimed, a German warship reportedly set sail for a tour to the Indo-Pacific Region on the same day, eyeing a transit in the South China Sea without confronting China, and a port visit in Shanghai.
Britain to Offer COVID-19 Booster Shots This Fall VOA 01 Aug 2021 -- Britain will begin offering a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to 32 million Britons starting in early September, The Telegraph reported Sunday. The shots will be available in as many as 2,000 pharmacies with the goal of getting them into arms by early December.
Britain, Israel Accuse Iran Of Deadly Oil Tanker Attack; Tehran Denies Involvement RFE/RL 01 Aug 2021 -- Britain has joined Israel in accusing Iran of being behind an attack last week on an Israeli-managed oil tanker off the coast of Oman that killed two people, a Briton and a Romanian.
US, Britain Blame Iran for Deadly Oil Tanker Attack VOA 01 Aug 2021 -- The United States and Britain on Sunday blamed Iran for a drone attack last week on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman that killed two people.
Israel's accusation of Iran's involvement in ship attack 'childish', influenced by Zionist lobby: Foreign Ministry Press TV 01 Aug 2021 -- The spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry says recent accusations leveled against Tehran by Israel and the United States about attacking an Israeli-owned merchant ship in the Sea of Oman are "childish" and influenced by the Zionist lobby in the United States.

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August 2021 - United Kingdom Special Weapons News