Under-pressure British PM reshuffles Cabinet

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown began a government reshuffle Friday which is crucial to his political survival and marks a reassertion of his authority. Crucially, Alan Johnson — the man who many Labor lawmakers expect to succeed Brown if he is forced to step down — has signaled his support for the beleaguered prime minister. He has accepted the promotion from Health secretary to Home secretary, taking the place of Jacqui Smith — one of three Cabinet ministers who rocked Brown by resigning this week

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UK minister quits, calls for Brown’s resignation

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Thursday he was "disappointed" over the resignation of James Purnell, his work and pensions secretary. In his letter of resignation — published by the Press Association — Purnell also called on Brown to step aside.

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UK’s Brown suffers first defeat — on Gurkhas

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown suffered a stinging defeat in Parliament Wednesday, losing a vote over the right of Ghurkha veterans to settle in the United Kingdom. It was the first time Brown has lost a vote in parliament since he became prime minister in 2007

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British PM’s aide quits over ‘smear’ e-mails row

A key aide to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has resigned after e-mails reportedly smearing top political opponents were leaked, British media said Sunday. The e-mails, which made a number of innuendo-laden suggestions about the private lives of politicians, including Conservative Party leader David Cameron, ended up in the hands of a well known political blogger, it was reported Saturday. According to The Observer, Damian McBride, a special adviser to Brown, discussed setting up a Web site to publish “scurrilous allegations about opponents” with former Labour party adviser Derek Draper

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UK government apologizes for embarrassing e-mails

The office of the British prime minister has apologized after e-mails sent by one of Gordon Brown’s senior officials reportedly smeared political opponents, British media said Saturday. The e-mails, which made a number of innuendo-laden suggestions about the private lives of politicians, including Conservative Party leader David Cameron, ended up in the hands of a well known political blogger, the Telegraph reported.

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FDA says India plant falsified generic drug data

The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that it has stopped reviewing drug applications from an India-based pharmaceutical plant, alleging that officials there falsified data and test results in applications, some of which the agency has already approved.

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All-American team to join F1 grid next year

An all-American team is set to enter Formula One in 2010 — bucking the global economic downturn which has forced motorsport’s elite category to introduce a series of cost-cutting measures. Ivan Cameron, six, passed away early Wednesday, the UK’s Press Association reported a Conservative Party spokesman as saying. “It is with great sadness that David and Samantha Cameron must confirm the death of their six-year-old son Ivan,” the spokesman said according to the agency.

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UK: Birth of 13-year-old dad’s child sparks outrage

The birth of a child fathered by a 13-year-old boy has sparked an uproar in Britain. Alfie Patten, who was only 12 when the baby was conceived with his girlfriend Chantelle Steadman, 15, was pictured on the front of Friday’s tabloid Sun newspaper with his daughter, Maisie Roxanne, after her birth Monday.

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