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Andrew MacAskill
Russia's shadow fleet vessels wait in the unofficial anchorage area in the Gulf of Finland near Vaindloo, Estonia, on April 10.
WORLD
Apr 29, 2026
Russian 'shadow fleet' undeterred by Starmer's threat as nearly 100 ships cross U.K. waters
Since the U.K. prime minister's remarks in March, the number of Russian ?vessels subject to sanctions transiting its waters was unchanged from previous months.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves No. 10 Downing St. for the House of Commons in London on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
Mandelson scandal shatters Starmer's promise of stable government
During his early days in office, the British prime minister had pledged to "restore honesty ?and integrity to government."
Former U.K. ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, drives away from his residence in central London on Feb. 14.
WORLD
Feb 24, 2026
Former U.K. ambassador Mandelson arrested after Epstein revelations
Peter Mandelson was fired from the most prestigious posting in Britain¡¯s diplomatic service in September, when the depth of his friendship with Epstein started to become clear.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, talks with Britain's ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence last year.
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 6, 2026
Once-feted Mandelson becomes nightmare for weakened Keir Starmer
The U.K. prime minister¡¯s appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the U.S. was once hailed as an inspired move to manage relations with Donald Trump.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of a bilateral meeting during his visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 29, 2026
Britain¡¯s Starmer seeks fresh start and economic wins with China
Britain's prime minister has made improving relations with China a priority, despite lingering ?misgivings about espionage and human rights.
The former Royal Mint Court office complex in London, the future site of a new Chinese embassy, on Tuesday
WORLD / Politics
Jan 21, 2026
U.K.¡¯s China embassy gamble shows changing calculations in divided West
British and U.S. politicians, local ?residents and British-based Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners say the new building could be used as a base for espionage.
BBC Director-General Tim Davie in London on April 28, 2022.
WORLD
Nov 10, 2025
BBC boss and head of news resign amid accusations of bias
BBC leaders Tim Davie and Deborah Turness step down after claims the broadcaster distorted Trump's Jan. 6 speech and exhibited bias in its coverage of Gaza and gender issues.
Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair in London on Sept. 3, 2024. Blair's reputation is forever sullied by his decision to back former U.S. President George W. Bush's 2003 invasion of Iraq.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 1, 2025
Tony Blair's return to Middle East diplomacy reopens old wounds and new doubts
His decision to back former U.S. President George W. Bush's 2003 invasion of Iraq forever sullied his reputation.
Palestinians crowd a coastal path west of the city of Beit Lahia in the Gaza Strip after managing to get aid parcels on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 30, 2025
Britain warns Israel it could recognize Palestinian state as Gaza starves
The warning, which drew a harsh Israeli rebuke, came after a hunger monitor warned a worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding and immediate action is needed.
John Healey, Britain's defense minister, apologized for the 2022 leak that included details about members of Parliament and senior military officers who supported applications to help Afghan soldiers who worked with the British military and their families relocate to the U.K.
WORLD
Jul 16, 2025
Thousands of Afghans secretly moved to Britain after data leak
The data leak ranks among the worst security breaches in modern British history because of the cost and risk posed to the lives of thousands of people.
Satellite image shows the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, in Bushehr Province, Iran, on May 26.
WORLD
Jun 23, 2025
What are the nuclear contamination risks from attacks on Iran?
President Donald Trump said Iran's main nuclear sites had been "obliterated" in military strikes overnight, including on the deeply buried Fordo?facility.
People march during a protest calling for abortion law reform in London on June 17, 2023.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Jun 18, 2025
U.K. parliament votes to decriminalize abortion
Abortions have been legal in England and Wales for almost 60 years, but only up to 24 weeks and with the approval of two doctors.
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Britain's ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, after announcing a trade deal with the U.K., in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 9, 2025
Trump and Starmer hail limited U.S.-U.K. trade deal, but 10% duties remain
Trump pushed back against seeing the U.K. deal as a template for other negotiations, saying that many other trading partners may end up with much higher final tariffs.
Reform U.K. party leader Nigel Farage
WORLD
Apr 29, 2025
Populist Reform party could reshape the U.K. political landscape
It also convinced its leader, Brexit veteran Nigel Farage, he had to professionalize the party, and fast.
Multibillionaire and Trump adviser Elon Musk speaks via video link to an election campaign rally for the far right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Halle, Germany, on Jan. 26.
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 5, 2025
Musk rallies the far right in Europe. Tesla is paying the price.
The multibillionaire's support for right-wing political parties could help boost his empire by cutting back regulations he thinks impede tech innovations.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks to reporters in Washington on Tuesday morning. Vance¡¯s comments on the Anglo-French proposal to protect Ukraine have sparked criticism in Britain.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 5, 2025
JD Vance denies disrespecting U.K. and France over Ukraine peacekeeping force
Vance's comments caused politicians in both countries to say he was dishonoring troops killed fighting alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands on the day of a bilateral meeting inside 10 Downing Street in London on Thursday.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 11, 2024
Zelenskyy outlines 'victory plan' to allies and discusses long-range weapons
The Ukrainian leader is keen for the West to give further support to try to change the balance on the battlefield ahead of a U.S. presidential election and winter.
British Shadow Home Secretary and Conservative Party leadership candidate James Cleverly (left) speaks at the Conservative Party's annual conference, in Birmingham, U.K., on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 2, 2024
After being ousted, Britain's Conservatives plan their return to power
At their conference, many Conservatives were optimistic about unseating Labour at the next election, which must take place by mid-2029.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday
WORLD / Politics
Jul 18, 2024
U.K.'s Starmer to use forum to advocate EU reset and Ukraine support
A one-day meeting of more than 40 nations provides British Prime Minister Keir Starmer with an opportunity to push for closer defense cooperation.
An exit poll predicting that the Labour Party led by Keir Starmer will win 410 seats in Britain's general election is projected onto BBC Broadcasting House in London on July 4, 2024. Labour is set for a landslide win in U.K. election, exit polls showed.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 5, 2024
U.K.'s Labour set to sweep into power with huge majority, exit poll shows
The result would give Labour a majority of 170 and would bring the curtain down on 14 years of increasingly tumultuous Conservative-led government.

Longform

Projects like the BuddhaBot aim to re-create dialogue once lost to time, raising questions about whether AI can extend the teachings of Buddha or merely simulate them.
Can AI replace a priest? Japan¡¯s temples and shrines are testing the limits.

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