World : Britain

Barclays to name Bob Diamond new chief executive (AFP)

AFP - British bank Barclays is expected on Tuesday to name American Bob Diamond, one of the world's highest paid bankers, as its new chief executive who will take charge next year, reports said.

Extradition agreements to be reviewed amid outcry (AFP)

AFP - The government will review its extradition agreements with the United States and European nations amid concerns that the current system is failing to protect British citizens, a report said Tuesday.

Tube workers start 24-hour strike (AFP)

AFP - Workers on London's Underground train system started a 24-hour strike over staffing cuts on Monday, threatening disruption for millions of commuters.

Blair cancels book signing amid Iraq protest threat (AFP)

AFP - Former prime minister Tony Blair on Monday cancelled a planned book signing session in London to promote his memoirs after anti-war protestors threatened to target it.

Duck house, symbol of UK expenses scandal, sold (Reuters)

Reuters - A floating duck house, which came to symbolize a parliamentary expenses scandal that rocked British politics last year, has been sold and the money given to a cancer charity, the organization said on Monday.

Get the celebrity scent with UK tabloid's perfume (Reuters)

Reuters - Britain's tabloid Sun newspaper launched its own celebrity perfume on Monday to provide readers with the scent of showbiz.

Coulson under pressure over hacking row (AFP)

AFP - Opposition lawmakers called for Prime Minister David Cameron's media chief to quit Monday over fresh allegations that he knew about illegal phone tapping by reporters when he was a tabloid editor.

EU budget chief sparks row over British rebate billions (AFP)

AFP - Europe's budget chief sparked a fierce row with Britain on Monday over the 'Thatcher rebate' which sees billions returned to London in lieu of farm payments to France and Germany.

UK police may probe alleged tabloid phone hacking (AP)

AP - British Prime Minister David Cameron's communications director, a former tabloid editor, offered Monday to meet with police as they consider reopening an investigation into claims his newspaper's reporters illegally eavesdropped on scores of politicians and celebrities.

Schoolboy finds pipe bomb in Northern Ireland (AFP)

AFP - A Northern Ireland school was evacuated Monday after an eight-year-old boy found a pipe bomb in the playground, in what police said was a "cowardly" attack blamed on militants opposed to the peace process.