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October 15, 2025
 

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Alex Wickham
Commuters cross Westminster Bridge in London in 2024. The United Kingdom’s domestic security service has warned politicians and their staff that they are being targeted by spies from China, Russia and Iran.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 14, 2025
MI5 warns U.K. politicians of spying efforts by China, Russia and Iran
The warning comes weeks after a high-profile espionage case in which two men were accused of spying for China fell apart.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November 2024.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 13, 2025
U.K. ministers criticize Starmer’s China policy amid spying row
Several Cabinet ministers are concerned the prime minister has taken too generous an approach to Beijing and want him to commit to prioritizing national security.
People attend a vigil to remember the victims of the Manchester Synagogue attack in Manchester, U.K. on Friday.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 4, 2025
U.K. confronts rising long-term terror threat from Gaza war
The attack on a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday has crystallized concern building in the British security services since Oct. 7, 2023.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers his keynote speech at the Labour party's annual conference in Liverpool, England, on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 1, 2025
U.K.’s Starmer buys himself time by punching back at Farage
Keir Starmer's barnstorming speech at his party's annual conference in Liverpool left his internal rivals humbled and the party unified behind him — for now.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks on the opening day of the U.K. Labour Party annual conference on Sunday.
WORLD / Politics
Sep 30, 2025
Starmer seeks political redemption by taking on Farage threat
Labour’s gathering is a chance for the British prime minister to test-drive a new strategy of going on the attack against an insurgent Reform U.K. party led by Farage.
Migrants wade into the sea to try to board smugglers' boats in an attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines, northern France, on Saturday.
WORLD
Sep 29, 2025
U.K. sees biggest-ever migrant arrival as boats get bigger
A boat carrying 125 people crossed to England from France on Saturday, breaking a previous record from August when 107 people arrived in a "mega-dinghy.”
A Russian MIG-31 fighter jet flies above the Baltic sea after violating Estonian air space last week.
WORLD / Politics
Sep 26, 2025
Europeans privately tell Russia they’re ready to shoot down jets
NATO’s eastern members have faced a series of airspace violations this month that have posed an unprecedented test of the alliance’s resolve.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks at Lancaster House in London on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
Sep 16, 2025
Lack of successor keeps U.K.'s Starmer safe as Labour mulls his ouster
Plots against British leader Keir Starmer have dominated the headlines in Britain following the messy departures of key members of his government.
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at the White House in Washington on Sunday. Trump is scheduled to arrive in Britain on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Sep 15, 2025
U.S.-U.K. nuclear pact to precede tech and whisky deals on Trump visit
Both countries will use each other’s safety assessments of reactor designs to fast-track their own checks under the new agreement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands during a news conference following their meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, last week.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 22, 2025
Doubts grow on Ukraine security plan as Russia demands role
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow should have a say in security arrangements for Ukraine, which could also involve Beijing.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer passes a Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine at a shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, England, on March 20.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 3, 2025
Welfare demands put pressure on Starmer's commitment to defense overhaul
Labour lawmakers want to prioritize domestic issues blowing back on the left-leaning party at the ballot box, such as controversial benefit cuts.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump from a Jaguar Land Rover automobile manufacturing plant in the West Midlandson, U.K., on Thursday.
WORLD / Politics
May 9, 2025
Starmer gets diplomatic win he needs, if not the economic boost
The framework the two leaders unveiled goes some way to reversing the worst impacts on the U.K. of U.S. tariffs.
Ukrainian service members fire a multiple rocket launch system toward Russian troops near the frontline town of Pokrovsk, in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on April 19.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 24, 2025
Trump ramps up pressure on Zelenskyy to accept peace deal
U.S. President Donald Trump ratcheted up pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept a peace deal that critics fear will favor Moscow.
People walk past a banner picturing Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sevastopol, Crimea, on March 22. The banner reads: "The West doesn't need Russia, we need Russia!"
WORLD / Politics
Apr 19, 2025
U.S. open to recognizing Crimea as Russian in Ukraine deal
The signal comes as the Trump administration said it is prepared to move on from its peace-brokering efforts unless progress is made quickly.
A DJI drone. British officials have raised concerns that Chinese-manufactured drones are surveying critical national infrastructure sites in the U.K.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 17, 2025
U.K. raises alarm on Chinese drones used to survey sensitive sites
Using Chinese-made drones at key sites in Britain is a risk as Chinese law can compel its companies to share data with the state.
Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be using U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to present himself as a strong dealmaker against him, some European officials said.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 27, 2025
Putin’s tactics are pushing Trump toward tough choice on Ukraine
Moscow seems intent on prolonging discussions and keeping the scope of talks narrow to pressure Washington into giving ground.
Disaster was the word European officials used as Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s long-sought meeting with Donald Trump descended into a livestream of raised voices and angry bickering.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 1, 2025
Zelenskyy-Trump blowup leaves U.S. allies facing disaster
Kyiv’s European allies, who’ve spent weeks trying to talk Trump out of rushing into a quick deal to end the war on Putin’s terms, were aghast.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a statement on defense spending at Downing Street in London on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 27, 2025
Starmer tries to buy Ukraine time with Trump security pitch
The British prime minister's main objective is to secure an American "backstop” for any truce between Russia and Ukraine.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a statement on defense spending on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 26, 2025
Trump’s threats push U.K.'s Starmer into a more global, military agenda
U.S. President Donald Trump's apparent refusal for the U.S. to be the final guarantor of security in Europe has prompted the prime minister to act.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer addresses military personnel onboard HMS Iron Duke on Dec. 17, 2024 in Tallinn, Estonia.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 23, 2025
Starmer faces defining moment in campaign to sway Trump
The trip has taken on new urgency after Trump officials berated European leaders over security while conceding to some of Moscow's demands regarding Ukraine.
Hypothermia in the land of the rising Sanae
Amid the election of Sanae Takaichi as Liberal Democratic Party president, and possibly the next prime minister, Japan's economy shows signs of recovery, but weak wages, a conservative corporate culture and currency issues raise doubts about a true economic thaw.
Number of scenarios now on the table for who might be Japan’s next prime minister
Newly-elected leader of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party Sanae Takaichi (right) celebrates with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba after winning the LDP leadership election in Tokyo on October 4.
After plenty of ups and downs, Osaka Expo concludes with message of unity
The sun sets on the Grand Ring on the final day of the Osaka Expo on Monday.
A frenetic diplomatic schedule looms for Japan’s next leader — whomever that may be
As horse-trading and speculation surge over who will be elected the next prime minister in parliament — the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Sanae Takaichi or a possible candidate put forward by a unified opposition — Japan’s next leader will be confronted with a quick succession of key diplomatic events.
Ghost of Yotei’s bloodstained fun sidesteps Ainu identity
Ghost of Yotei, the follow-up to 2020's smash hit Ghost of Tsushima, is a violent, vengeful and engaging romp through 17th-century Hokkaido that fails to stick the landing on its most sensitive cultural material.
A frenetic diplomatic schedule looms for Japan’s next leader — whomever that may be
As horse-trading and speculation surge over who will be elected the next prime minister in parliament — the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Sanae Takaichi or a possible candidate put forward by a unified opposition — Japan’s next leader will be confronted with a quick succession of key diplomatic events.
Ghost of Yotei’s bloodstained fun sidesteps Ainu identity
Ghost of Yotei, the follow-up to 2020's smash hit Ghost of Tsushima, is a violent, vengeful and engaging romp through 17th-century Hokkaido that fails to stick the landing on its most sensitive cultural material.
At Osaka Expo, gas giants promote a greener future. But is it a lot of hot air?
The Gas Pavilion had welcomed around 500,000 visitors by the end of August, making it one of the most popular exhibits at the Osaka Expo.
‘Takaichi trade’ starts unwinding as political calculus upended by Komeito exit
Less than a week ago, Sanae Takaichi seemed set to become Japan's first female prime minister.
‘Save the Ring’ calls intensify as Osaka Expo’s end nears
Visitors lounge on the grassy hill on the top of the Grand Ring during the 2025 Osaka Expo in the city of Osaka in May.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Rock group The Yellow Monkey played K-Arena Yokohama in June as part of a nationwide tour. Concerts are increasingly popular in the age of social media as users value in-person experiences.
Inside Japan’s arena boom: Sports, sound and city-building
By Patrick St. Michel

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Maruhachi never sleeps in quest for better futons
Maruhachi never sleeps in quest for better futons

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