ENGLAND

The fifth-tier Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will send a team to compete in a $1 million, winner-take-all, seven—on-seven tournament in June in Cary, North Carolina.

The 21-year-old Greenwood, who also played for England's national team, had charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service this week. The decision about how to handle Greenwood is likely to be about more than just soccer, with the club’s image and commercial appeal also under consideration. Sportswear giant Nike, which said it was "deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations," ended its sponsorship deal with Greenwood last year. Because of the nature of the charges, consideration may also be given to the number female fans the club has and a recently-formed women’s team that is growing in popularity. Greenwood may determine his career would be better served by having a fresh start away from United, perhaps in another country.

Gary Glitter has been released from prison after serving half of a 16-year sentence. The former pop star sexually abused three young girls in the 1970s.

LONDON — (AP) — Former pop star Gary Glitter was released from prison in England on Friday after serving half of a 16-year prison sentence for sexually abusing three young girls in the 1970s. The 79-year-old singer, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was freed from a prison in Dorset, in southwest England. It is common for offenders in the U.K. to be freed halfway through their sentences and then be placed on probation. Glitter was arrested in October 2012 under Operation Yewtree, the national investigation launched in the wake of the child abuse scandal surrounding the late BBC entertainer Jimmy Savile. Glitter is best known for the hit “Rock & Roll (Part 2),” released in 1972, but he fell into disgrace after being convicted on child abuse charges in Vietnam.

Former pop star Gary Glitter has been released from prison in England after serving half of a 16-year prison sentence for sexually abusing three young girls in the 1970s

Former pop star Gary Glitter has been released from prison in England after serving half of a 16-year prison sentence for sexually abusing three young girls in the 1970s.

The shirt said to be Jim Baxter's from the legendary 1967 Scotland victory now has "question marks".

With train drivers in England on strike and teachers walking out in Scotland, what do you need to know?

London Fire Brigade apologises after it is revealed a male firefighter used the selfie on Tinder.

Up to half a million workers are estimated to be on strike across the U.K. in the biggest day of industrial action Britain has seen in more than a decade.

Teachers, train and bus drivers, civil servants and university staff are joining a mass walk-out on Wednesday.

With school teachers, trains drivers and civil servants all striking, what do you need to know?

Thousands of staff across five services in England will walkout in protest over pay.

Extra capacity will help the NHS in England tackle emergency care delays, the prime minister says.

Boosting care in the community is identified by officials as being key to the health service's recovery.

Struggling U.K. airline Flybe has collapsed for the second time in less than three years.

The Klein Hollandia sank after its commander was killed in action and British sailors came aboard.

This is the second set of historic remains to be found in the area in two months, officials said.

Before his death in 1783, he requested a burial at sea in order to prevent anatomists from seizing his remains.

Hospital admissions peaked on 29 December, putting significant pressure on services, NHS bosses say.

Life-threatening 999 calls will be attended to, but other emergencies may not be or could face delays.

What you need to know about the ambulance workers' strike, by the BBC's Zoe Conway.

Buckingham Palace plans a weekend of community events and voluntarism to mark the coronation of King Charles III.

Now Liverpool sits eighth in the league — Chelsea is 10th — and belongs there after three games without a win. “Arsene Wenger lost his 1,000th game 6-0 (Arsenal vs. Chelsea, 2014), so I am really happy that didn’t happen,” Klopp said. I expect progress and I think from the last league game (a 3-0 loss against Brighton) it was progress, definitely, and that’s important.”There are several factors behind Liverpool’s sudden decline. Villa's rise under manager Unai Emery extended to five wins in the Spaniard’s seven league games in charge, with only one defeat. The Magpies also failed to capitalize on the draw between Liverpool and Chelsea earlier in the day by widening the gap on them.

MANCHESTER, England — (AP) — British boxer Chris Eubank Jr. wore a rainbow armband at the weigh-in Friday before his middleweight bout against Liam Smith after a nasty exchange at a news conference. Smith had repeatedly asked Eubank at Thursday's pre-fight press conference “do you want to tell us something?” in reference to Eubank's sexuality. Eubank responded with claims about Smith’s fidelity to his wife, and Sky Sports apologized for “personal and homophobic remarks." On Friday, Eubank wore a pro-LGBTQ armband on his right arm throughout the weigh-in and faceoff with Smith ahead of their bout at Manchester's AO Arena on Saturday. The British Boxing Board of Control said it is “considering the conduct” of the fighters.

British boxer Chris Eubank Jr. wore a rainbow armband at the weigh-in before his middleweight bout against Liam Smith after a nasty exchange at a news conference.

In England and Northern Ireland the deposit return scheme will be limited to plastic and metal containers.

Unite the union say strikes will coincide with larger walkouts by NHS workers over the next two months.

LONDON — (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized Thursday for taking off his seat belt to film a social media video in a moving car. A spokesman said Sunak made an “error of judgment” while filming a message for Instagram from the back of an official government car during a visit to northwest England. Spokesman Jamie Davies said the prime minister “fully accepts this was a mistake and apologizes.”“The prime minister believes everyone should wear a seat belt,” he said. Failing to wear a seat belt is punishable in the U.K. by a fine of up to 500 pounds ($620). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has apologized for taking off his seat belt to film a social media video in a moving car.

LONDON — (AP) — The father of a British woman who has been missing for two weeks with her partner and newborn baby appealed Thursday for her to contact police. Police say they are “increasingly concerned for the welfare” of Constance Marten, Mark Gordon and the infant. Detectives say Marten, 35, gave birth a day or two before the couple and baby left their broken-down car by the side of a highway in northwest England on Jan. 5. Since then, there have been reported sightings of the couple in southeast England and the London area, the most recent more than a week ago. Marten comes from a wealthy, aristocratic British family and grew up in a Georgian mansion on a country estate in southwest England.

The father of a British woman who has been missing for two weeks with her partner and newborn baby has appealed for her to contact police.

The U.K.’s Manchester Airport said it has temporarily closed both runways following a period of “heavy snow fall."

Fact-checking claims by Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and teachers' union boss Mary Bousted.

Testing cars after four years - rather than three - would not affect road safety, the government says.

Gary Lineker says he found a phone "taped to the back of the set" after hearing pornographic noises.

Jim Ratcliffe is entering the bidding to buy Manchester United.

U.K. house prices will fall by up to 10% this year, as higher mortgage rates and the broader cost of living crisis curtail home buying, Lloyds Bank CEO Charlie Nunn told CNBC on Tuesday.

Tuesday's papers largely focus on David Carrick, the police officer who has admitted to being a serial rapist.

A London police officer has admitted sexually assaulting a dozen women over a 17-year period.

Eight points clear in the Premier League, playing the most free-flowing soccer in England, and now humbling its fiercest rivals in front of their own fans. A 2-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday left no doubt over who the dominant force is in north London. Arsenal had an eight-point lead for a couple of days at the start of the month but second-place Manchester City had a game in hand then. British bookmakers are now making Arsenal odds-on favorites for the title, which brings its own pressure heading into the second half of the season. Chelsea stayed in 10th place but trimmed the gap to fifth-place Tottenham to five points.

The UK Labour leader voices "concerns" about the Scottish government's reforms to the process.

The RCN wants progress in negotiations by the end of January or says it will ballot more members.

Beating City 2-1 strengthened the rising belief that Ten Hag is turning the fortunes around for the 20-time English champion. United is up to third on the table — a point behind City and six off leader Arsenal, which plays Tottenham on Sunday. United was 10 points clear of its fiercest rival Liverpool, which suffered a sixth league loss at Brighton, and first there since 1961. "What we’ve found this year is that we can’t finish the chances when we get them,” West Ham manager David Moyes said. The striker converted a first half-penalty, which continued his perfect record from the spot for the Bees, with 21 scored from 21 attempts.

“She wanted everyone to remember her funeral but not for a sad reason,” friend Samantha Ryalls, 43, who helped arrange the flashmob, told the BBC. “Her best friend Sam booked us, but this was about six months before she passed — so Sandie basically planned her own funeral,” Phipps said. Phipps said that some in the church were stunned, but most eventually warmed up to the performance. “It was very odd to first pretend to be there for the funeral, and then to see family and friends crying and upset,” Phipps said. She wanted her funeral to reflect her.”Woman “broke tradition” by planning surprise flash-mob dance for own funeral https://t.co/TmCa3TVnPK pic.twitter.com/gcRBn0exA6 — BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 12, 2023©2022 Cox Media Group

New forecasts by Investec suggest energy bills could fall below £2,500 from July as wholesale gas prices fall.

Heavy rains and strong winds cause disruption in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Sharp deterioration in response times for emergencies like heart attacks and strokes in England.

Virgin Orbit says its first attempt to launch satellites into orbit from the U.K. failed after its rocket’s upper stage prematurely shut down.

Members of the U.K. royal family have appeared in public for the first time since the publication of Prince Harry’s explosive memoir.

If regulators are really worried about an epidemic of gambling in the stock market, they need to look in the right place.

Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters and ODESZA will headline the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival this June in Tennessee.

British officials and space scientists say they are disappointed but not deterred after the first attempt to launch satellites into orbit from the U.K. ended in failure.

LONDON — (AP) — A modified jumbo jet carrying a Virgin Orbit rocket took off from southwestern England Monday, marking the first attempt to launch satellites into orbit from Western Europe. The rocket will then take nine small satellites for mixed civil and defense use into orbit, while the plane, piloted by a Royal Air Force pilot, returns to Cornwall. If successful, the mission will mark the first international launch for Virgin Orbit, founded by British billionaire Richard Branson. “This is the start of a new era for the U.K. in terms of launch capabilities," said Ian Annett, deputy chief executive at the U.K. Space Agency. The mission is a collaboration between the U.K. Space Agency, the Royal Air Force, Virgin Orbit and Cornwall Council.

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey says the new ban will stop pollution from "billions of pieces of plastic." Advocates applaud the move but say it doesn't go far enough on its own.

The U.K. government will announce its plan to ban some single-use plastic products, mostly items used for takeout food and drinks, this weekend, CBS News has confirmed.

Virgin Orbit says a mission to launch the first satellites into orbit from Western Europe has suffered an “anomaly."

The modified Boeing 747 plane, named "Cosmic Girl," will take off from Spaceport Cornwall in southwest England at 10.16 p.m. local time if conditions allow.

Officials are expected to hold separate talks on Monday with health, teaching and rail unions.

The PM says he wants to fix the health service, but there are no easy answers, writes Laura Kuenssberg.

COVENTRY, England — (AP) — Welsh soccer club Wrexham thrilled its Hollywood owners by causing a big shock in the FA Cup on Saturday. “I’m completely and totally speechless,” Reynolds, best known for starring in the “Deadpool” movies, tweeted to his 21 million followers. What a win.”McElhenney, an American actor and director who was the creator of TV show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia," was just as stunned. McElhenney followed that up by posting: “We’re just getting started.”With its exciting win over Coventry, a team from the second-tier Championship, Wrexham ensured there will be non-league representation in the fourth round — or the last 32. Wrexham, the world’s third oldest professional club, was the architect of one of the FA Cup’s greatest upsets, beating then-English champion Arsenal in the third round in 1992.

Labour says patients deserve "more than a talking shop" and Lib Dems say it's too little too late.

A match-fixing scandal has led to the suspension of 10 Chinese players from snooker's top touring circuit.

This fragrant, fresh-tasting one-pot curry with chickpeas and spinach makes for an aromatic weeknight meal.

Researchers warn that if carbon dioxide emissions aren't rapidly reduced, this record-breaking heat will soon become the norm.

Saudi Arabian soccer club Al Nassr has announced the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, ending speculation about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s future.

Police say a Christmas Eve shooting at a pub in northwest England killed a young woman and wounded three men.

The English Football Association says World Cup winner George Cohen has died.

Air travelers are facing possible delays at U.K. airports as government employees who check passports go on strike.

Just before Jessica Henwick was cast in “Game of Thrones” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the then-aspiring actor had already left Los Angeles for her hometown in England.

We’re here to present the ultimate glass-is-half-full outlook, despite the snow, cold and wind chills.

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé head the selections for the team of the tournament as chosen by writers covering the World Cup for The Associated Press.

Rapper Gunna has pleaded guilty in Atlanta to a racketeering conspiracy charge.

Three young boys who fell through ice covering a lake in central England have died and a fourth remains hospitalized as weather forecasters issued severe weather warnings for large parts of the United Kingdom.

After a third shot at a major tournament ended in disappointment, Gareth Southgate is considering his future as England coach.

Kylian Mbappe and France made it back to the semifinals of the World Cup by beating England 2-1.

For some children in low-income areas in England, a school lunch may be the only nutritious hot meal they get in a day.

Artist Veronica Ryan has won the prestigious Turner Prize for work that transforms materials including fruits, seeds and volcanic ash into elusive and evocative sculptures.

Raheem Sterling will rejoin England’s World Cup squad after a break-in at his home in the U.K. The Chelsea forward had left England’s camp in Qatar to be with his family, which meant he missed his country’s 3-0 win against Senegal in the round of 16 on Sunday.

Kylian Mbappe is living up to his reputation at the World Cup as the man best-placed to succeed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as soccer’s biggest star.

Britain’s Conservative government has approved the U.K.’s first new coal mine in three decades.

A 1,300-year-old gold and gemstone necklace uncovered near Northampton in central England is being hailed as a find of major significance.

Jordan Henderson knew exactly who to thank after opening the scoring in England’s 3-0 win against Senegal.

England forward Raheem Sterling has left his team’s World Cup camp in Qatar and returned to the U.K. after a break-in at his home.

England captain Harry Kane scored his first goal of this year’s World Cup to help his team beat Senegal 3-0 and set up a match against France in the quarterfinals.

Britain’s opposition Labour Party has handily won a special election for a northwest England seat in Parliament.

It’s time to take note when even Declan Rice admits a mid-season World Cup is proving physically challenging, The workhorse England midfielder said he was feeling the strain after playing three games already in Qatar with a match against Senegal in the round of 16 coming up Sunday.

Official figures show that thousands of patients each week are languishing in ambulances outside overflowing British hospitals.

For Harry Kane the wait for a first goal at this World Cup goes on.

For soccer lovers in Ukraine, Russia's invasion and the devastation it has wrought have created uncertainties about both playing the sport and watching it.

Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden both scored to put England into the last 16 of the World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Wales.

Wales captain Gareth Bale was substituted at halftime of the team’s match against England at the World Cup because of an injury.

The players for both England and Wales took a knee before their final World Cup group game.

The latest U.K. census has found that less than half of people in England and Wales consider themselves Christian.

British health authorities have recorded 50 cases of diphtheria this year among recently arrived asylum seekers.

The United States’ 0-0 draw against England in the World Cup drew 19.98 million viewers for English- and Spanish-language broadcasts.

Marcus Rashford didn't think the jeers from England’s fans really were necessary.

American players wanted more than a 0-0 draw with England in what was likely the most-watched match of their lives.

Wilko Johnson, the guitarist with British blues-rock band Dr. Feelgood who had an unexpected career renaissance after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, has died.

It was a pretty good World Cup debut for Jude Bellingham.