UK Foreign Policy

World

UK's Gridworks Inks $400M Ethiopia Power Deals as Foreign Minister Visits to Address Migration Pressures

During UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper's visit to Addis Ababa, British investor Gridworks signed landmark agreements to develop two major transmission projects. The deals, part of a broader UK strategy linking economic development with migration management, mark Ethiopia's first public-private partnerships in its power transmission sector.

Feb 2, 2026

World

New Dutch Coalition Commits to Sustained Ukraine Aid and Higher Defense Spending

The incoming Dutch government, led by Prime Minister-designate Rob Jetten, has unveiled its policy agenda, pledging continued military and financial support for Ukraine and a commitment to enshrine higher NATO defense spending targets into law.

Jan 30, 2026

World

U.S. Diplomatic Missions Ordered to Scrutinize Global Aid for Compliance with Expanded Social Policy Restrictions

Exclusive: A newly revealed State Department cable directs embassies worldwide to audit all assistance programs against stringent new rules prohibiting funding for groups involved in abortion services, diversity initiatives, and gender identity advocacy, expanding a long-contested policy to nearly $30 billion in foreign aid.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Moscow Warns Western Troops in Ukraine Would Be 'Legitimate Targets'

Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a stark warning on Monday, stating any deployment of foreign military forces or infrastructure in Ukraine would be considered an intervention, making those forces lawful targets for Russian strikes.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Costa Rica's New Leader Seeks Bukele's Blueprint to Combat Surging Narco-Violence

President-elect Laura Fernandez turns to El Salvador's controversial leader Nayib Bukele for guidance, signaling a hardline shift in tackling Costa Rica's escalating drug trade violence, including plans for a Bukele-style mega-prison.

Feb 2, 2026

World

SpaceX and Ukraine Move to Block Russian Military's Exploitation of Starlink Satellite Network

Ukraine's defense minister confirms collaborative efforts with SpaceX have yielded initial success in countering Russia's unauthorized use of Starlink terminals to guide attack drones, with a new verification system imminent.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Starmer Warns Against UK Isolationism on China Amid Trump's Transatlantic Pressure

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer urges sustained engagement with Beijing, countering Donald Trump's call for Western disengagement and highlighting deepening geopolitical divides.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Betfred Founders Top UK's Tax List, with Styles and Joshua Among High-Profile Contributors

The annual Sunday Times Tax List reveals the UK's top 100 individual taxpayers paid a record £5.76bn, featuring a mix of business titans, sports stars, and entertainers, with a notable rise in contributions linked to recent fiscal policy changes.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Ukraine Peace Talks to Resume in Abu Dhabi Amid Ongoing Russian Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirms a new round of trilateral negotiations with Russia and the U.S. is scheduled for early February, even as drone attacks continue to target civilian infrastructure.

Feb 2, 2026

World

UK-China Trade Breakthrough: Scotch Whisky Tariffs Halved as New Deal Takes Effect

A landmark trade agreement secured during Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Beijing will see Chinese import duties on Scotch whisky cut from 10% to 5%, effective immediately. The move, hailed by industry leaders, is projected to inject £250 million into the UK economy and boost competitiveness in a key growth market.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Winter Crisis Deepens as U.S. Energy Aid for Ukraine Remains Stalled in Bureaucratic Maze

Promised U.S. funds to repair Ukraine's war-shattered energy grid are caught in administrative limbo, leaving millions vulnerable to extreme cold amid renewed Russian strikes and internal U.S. agency disputes.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Russia's Unjammable Drones: Starlink Terminals Extend Reach and Evade Ukrainian Defenses

Russian forces are integrating Starlink satellite terminals into their drone fleet, creating a new generation of long-range, jamming-resistant weapons capable of striking deep behind Ukrainian lines and into NATO territory, according to intelligence reports and military analysts.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Venezuela Rewrites Its Oil Playbook: A Historic Reversal Seeks to Lure Back Foreign Capital

In a landmark move, Venezuela's interim government has enacted a sweeping reform of its oil industry, dismantling core tenets of two decades of socialist policy. The overhaul aims to revive production but faces deep-seated risks and questions over its ultimate beneficiaries.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Russia-Ukraine Talks to Resume in Abu Dhabi Amid Ongoing Strikes

A new round of U.S.-mediated negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is scheduled for this week in Abu Dhabi, officials confirm, as battlefield violence and long-range attacks continue to shape the diplomatic landscape.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Dining on a Budget: UK Restaurants Slash Prices Amid Cost Pressures

Facing soaring business rates and cautious consumers, UK restaurant chains are deploying deep discounts and creative promotions to attract diners, as the sector grapples with post-pandemic recovery and a cost-of-living squeeze.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Pornhub Parent Blocks New UK Users, Escalating Clash Over Age Verification Laws

Aylo, the company behind major adult sites like Pornhub, has cut off access for new users in the UK. The move marks a dramatic reversal in its stance on the country's Online Safety Act, with the firm claiming the age verification rules push users toward riskier corners of the web.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Ukraine Reports Brief Respite in Energy Strikes, But Frontline Attacks Continue

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy notes a 24-hour pause in targeted Russian strikes on energy grids, yet civilian casualties mount in frontline regions. The reported lull follows a disputed, short-term truce brokered by the U.S., as both sides prepare for talks in Abu Dhabi.

Feb 2, 2026

World

UK Fuel Price Transparency Scheme Launches, Forcing Real-Time Updates to Curb 'Rocket and Feather' Pricing

A new mandatory scheme requires all UK fuel stations to report price changes within 30 minutes, with data fed to comparison apps. The government-backed initiative aims to boost competition and save households an estimated £40 annually.

Feb 2, 2026

World

UK Military on High Alert as Drone Incidents Near Bases Double in a Year

Newly released figures reveal a sharp 111% increase in unauthorized drone activity near UK defence sites in 2025, prompting an expansion of military powers to counter the aerial threat.

Feb 2, 2026

World

From Solidarity to Scrutiny: How Ukraine's View on Palestine Is Evolving Amid War and Shifting Alliances

As the war in Ukraine grinds on and U.S. support appears to waver, a nuanced public debate over Gaza is emerging in Kyiv, challenging earlier unequivocal backing for Israel and revealing complex parallels in perceived injustice.

Feb 2, 2026