Lauren Frayer
Appearances
NPR News Now
NPR News: 02-12-2025 8PM EST
After an Israeli airstrike destroyed their home in Gaza, a Palestinian couple and their four children applied to come to the UK, where they have relatives. And they were ultimately granted permission to settle here on appeal through a special visa scheme designed for Ukrainians.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 02-12-2025 8PM EST
Conservative opposition leader Kemi Badenach told Parliament a judge was wrong to allow this family into Britain. And the centre-left Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he agrees.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 02-12-2025 8PM EST
The UK has special visa programs for people fleeing from Ukraine and Hong Kong, but not for Palestinians. Lauren Freyer, NPR News, London.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 01-19-2025 6PM EST
In 1964, one of Queen Elizabeth's senior courtiers, her private art collector, confessed to being a Soviet spy. But the monarch wasn't told for nine years. Aides apparently saw no advantage and didn't want to worry her. The man was later stripped of his knighthood. This is one of several tidbits in a trove of documents declassified ahead of an upcoming exhibition at Britain's National Archives.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 01-19-2025 6PM EST
Other documents show how British secret agents lobbied for an honorary knighthood for J. Edgar Hoover, the notorious FBI director, and then tried to get him listed in a who's who almanac to boost his ego and U.S.-British relations after another Cold War spy scandal. Lauren Frayer, NPR News, London.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-10-2025 3PM EDT
from northern England says the concern is now ecological. One of the ships involved in the collision is a U.S.-flagged tanker that was carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military, fuel which is now leaking into the sea. TV footage shows thick black smoke, firefighting helicopters and lifeboats.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-10-2025 3PM EDT
This is happening in a busy North Sea waterway with shipping traffic between England, the Netherlands and Germany.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-07-2025 2PM EST
In a video posted to social media, King Charles sits at a big wooden desk at Buckingham Palace with a vintage radio on-air sign lit up, talking about his love of disco, reggae and afro beats.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-07-2025 2PM EST
The video then cuts to a military marching band outside playing Bob Marley. This playlist fit for a king is called The King's Music Room. The palace says it's the soundtrack of King Charles' life, from 1930s standards to Kylie Minogue.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-04-2025 6PM EDT
Baby tortoises are adorable. Our tortoises here are about the size of a tennis ball right now.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-04-2025 6PM EDT
The animals that come from the wild, we make the assumption that they're unrelated to the other animals in our population. And so genetically, she is unique. So she's incredibly important.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-04-2025 5PM EDT
She says, Every little piece that can be revealed tells us more about his work as a songwriter and as a singer.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy in London, Gaza Ceasefire Status, Judicial Accountability
Well, we're going to have to see whether hugs and cheers outside and words of shock and support translate into action. After this summit, I hopped on the phone with Lord Peter Ricketts. He's a member of the House of Lords, a former UK ambassador to France and NATO. And I asked him to gauge the mood among leaders.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy in London, Gaza Ceasefire Status, Judicial Accountability
Well, Britain and France say they're working with Ukraine on their own ceasefire plan, which they'll present to the U.S. It may entail deployment of British peacekeepers. Here's what Prime Minister Starmer said last night.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy in London, Gaza Ceasefire Status, Judicial Accountability
And by heavy lifting, he means funding Europe's defence. You know, since World War II, the US has basically guaranteed Europe's security. But if that's no longer the priority under President Trump, European leaders say they're going to have to step up. Starmer has hiked British defence spending. He said other countries have pledged to do the same.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy in London, Gaza Ceasefire Status, Judicial Accountability
Yesterday, Starmer also announced another $2 billion in financing for Ukraine to buy more air defence missiles. But can Europe do that without U.S. support? Well, Europe has already actually given more aid to Ukraine than the U.S. has. But in terms of ending the war, they're using the phrase coalition of the willing and they want it to be backed by the U.S.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy in London, Gaza Ceasefire Status, Judicial Accountability
Prime Minister Starmer is really trying to sell Trump on security guarantees. And I asked Lord Ricketts what that could mean.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy in London, Gaza Ceasefire Status, Judicial Accountability
So that's a big question mark. You know, what role the U.S. would play on the ground or in the air over Ukraine, if any, and whether it would be enough for Europeans to feel secure in sending peacekeepers. OK, Lauren, so what happens next? Well, there is a European Union summit later this week. A top EU official, Ursula von der Leyen, says she'll unveil plans there for the rearming of Europe.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy in London, Gaza Ceasefire Status, Judicial Accountability
You know, as you know, there's no Europe-wide military. Countries have their own armies. Most are also part of NATO. But coordination among them could be a challenge. And leaving London last night, von der Leyen said the goal is to turn Ukraine into a, quote, steel porcupine that is indigestible for potential invaders. And by invaders, of course, she means Russia.