United Kingdom

LONDON, Nov 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China, the global oil market’s lifeline this year, has stepped up purchases from exporters like Russia, the United States and Angola in recent weeks, while buyers elsewhere pare orders as coronavirus infections surge and fresh lockdowns are put in place.

China, the world’s largest importer of crude, is the only major buyer expected to see increased oil demand this year as the pandemic destroyed consumption globally.

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday backed one of his most senior ministers after a damning inquiry into allegations that she bullied her staff concluded she had broken rules, including shouting and swearing at them.

Johnson’s defence of Home Secretary Priti Patel prompted the author of the report, independent adviser Alex Allan, to resign.

20 Nov 2020; MEMO: Amnesty International called on Thursday for the G20 leaders to put pressure on the Saudi Arabian authorities to release "brave activists" who are imprisoned in the Kingdom.

"Instead of keeping pace with the Saudi government in its glamorous phrases about empowering women," said Amnesty, "the G20 leaders should seize the occasion of the summit to defend the brave activists, the real change makers behind bars."

LONDON, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Thursday the country's largest military investment in 30 years -- an extra 16.5 billion pounds (about 21.9 billion U.S. dollars) in defence spending over next four years.

In his speech to the House of Commons (lower house of the British Parliament), Johnson said Britain needs to "upgrade capabilities across the board" to end "the era of retreat" by transforming its armed forces.

LONDON (Reuters) - Billionaire financier George Soros said the European Union must stand up to Hungary and Poland and cannot afford to compromise on the rule-of-law provisions it applies to the funds it allocates to member states.

Hungary and Poland on Monday blocked the adoption of the 2021-2027 budget and recovery fund by European Union governments because the budget law included a clause which makes access to money conditional on respecting the rule of law.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain pledged to end the “era of retreat” by announcing a major increase in military spending, despite the coronavirus crisis pummelling the economy, as it seeks to define its post-Brexit role on the world stage.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the extra spending reflected the need to upgrade military capabilities, with plans for a new space command and artificial intelligence agency.

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil futures dipped on Thursday as a surge in coronavirus cases and tighter economic restrictions around the globe weighed on fuel demand expectations, also dragging down equities globally.MIWD00000PUS.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 were down 27 cents to $44.07 a barrel by 0911 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 slipped 43 cents to $41.39 a barrel. A rising dollar.DXY made oil more expensive for holders of other currencies.

LONDON (Reuters) - British counter-terrorism police said on Wednesday they had arrested a man over the 1974 pub bombings in the city of Birmingham which killed 21 people, the deadliest attack on the British mainland in 30 years of Northern Irish violence.

The bombings took place in the crowded Mulberry Bush pub and The Tavern in Birmingham, central England, on Nov. 21, 1974. Although the Irish Republican Army (IRA) was believed to have planted the explosives, it never claimed responsibility.

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices firmed on Wednesday on hopes OPEC and its allies will delay a planned increase in oil output and after Pfizer said its COVID-19 vaccine was more effective than previously reported.

Brent crude rose 82 cents, or 1.9%, to $44.57 a barrel by 1211 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 76 cents, or 1.8%, to $42.92.

Both contracts jumped by about $1 after Pfizer Inc said on Wednesday final results from the late-stage trial of its vaccine showed it was 95% effective. Last week, it had put the efficacy at more than 90%.

17 Nov 2020; MEMO: The former leader of Britain's Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn will be readmitted after he was suspended from the party for downplaying a report that detailed serious failings in its handling of anti-Semitism complaints, The Guardian reported.