Jill Lawless reporter the Associated Press posed photo at AP Europe in London, Friday, Jan. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

JILL LAWLESS

Associated Press

London correspondent covering politics and more.
FILE- Former Soviet spy Oleg Gordievsky after receiving the Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and Saint George from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London, Oct. 17, 2007. (Fiona Hanson/PA via AP, file)
Oleg Gordievsky, Britain’s most valuable Cold War spy inside the KGB, dies at 86
Former KGB officer Oleg Gordievsky has died aged 86 in England. He was a double agent who helped change the course of the Cold War by covertly passing secrets to Britain for a decade.
 
Travellers check the information board in London, Saturday, March 22, 2025, as Heathrow Airport slowly resumes flights after a fire cut power to Europe's busiest airport.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
UK government orders probe into Heathrow shutdown that sparked concern over energy resilience
The British government has ordered an investigation into the country’s “energy resilience” after an electrical substation fire shut Heathrow Airport for almost a day.
 
Passengers waiting for a flight to Helsinki rest at Lisbon's international Portela Airport on May 10, 2010, as flights were disrupted due to an ash cloud drifting over from a volcano in Iceland that caused major air travel chaos. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
A look at some of history’s worst air travel disruptions before a fire shut Heathrow
A fire that closed London’s Heathrow Airport has sparked one of the most serious disruptions to air travel in years. More than 1,300 flights were canceled and hundreds of thousands of journeys disrupted following the electrical substation blaze.
 
A plane is prepared whilst another airplane approaches landing at Heathrow Airport after a fire at an electrical substation shuttered Europe's busiest air travel hub in London, Friday, March 21, 2025.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
London’s Heathrow slowly resumes flights after a fire cut power to Europe’s busiest airport
A fire at an electrical substation knocked out power to Heathrow Airport for most of Friday, forcing Europe’s busiest hub to shut down for roughly 18 hours, causing widespread cancellations and rerouting headaches, and stranding roughly 200,000 passengers.
 
Former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks to the media following her announcement that she will not seek re-election to Holyrood next year, in Edinburgh, Wednesday March 12, 2025. (Robert Perry/PA via AP)
Former Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon cleared in embezzlement probe that saw her ex-husband charged
Police say former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been cleared of wrongdoing over the finances of the governing Scottish National Party. Her ex-husband, the party’s former chief executive, has been charged with embezzlement.
 
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to a Canadian Lt Colonel as he visits a military base to meet planners mapping out next steps in the Coalition of the Willing in Northwood, London, Thursday, March 20, 2025.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Pool)
Military leaders discuss Ukraine peacekeeping force as partial ceasefire plans are worked out
Senior military officers from countries across Europe and beyond are meeting outside London to flesh out plans for an international peacekeeping force for Ukraine as details of a partial ceasefire are worked out. U.K.
 
Incoming Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall arrives at Downing Street in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych, file)
The UK is cutting welfare spending to urge people to work. Critics say it will hurt the vulnerable
Britain’s Labour Party government has announced an overhaul of the welfare system it says will save the cash-strapped administration 5 billion pounds, or $6.5 billion. Critics claim it will harm some of the U.K.’s most vulnerable people.
 
A general view of the headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, in London, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
MI6 has never had a woman as spy chief. That could be about to change
Real-life spies say their world is nothing like that of James Bond, but in one way truth may soon follow fiction: MI6 could be about to get its first woman leader.
 
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, center, speaks with members of staff after delivering a speech on plans to reform the civil service, during a visit to Reckitt Benckiser Health Care UK Ltd in Kingston upon Hull, England, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Oli Scarff/Pool Photo via AP)
Keir Starmer plans to reshape Britain’s ‘flabby’ state. But don’t compare him to Elon Musk
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer has won praise for his efforts to marshal international support for Ukraine as President Donald Trump’s economic and foreign policies roil the world.
 
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer departs 10 Downing Street to attend Prime Minister's Questions at the Houses of Parliament in London, England, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)
Britain says retaliation is possible over new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed disappointment over the decision of the Trump administration to impose tariffs on global steel and aluminum imports. He said Wednesday a retaliatory response is possible.
 
Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast in England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)
The arrested captain of a cargo vessel involved in North Sea collision is Russian, ship’s owner says
The captain of a cargo ship that collided with a U.S. tanker is a Russian national who remains in U.K. police custody. The vessel’s owner confirmed Wednesday that the 59-year-old man is a Russian who led a mixed crew of Russians and Filipinos.
 
The 16th-century painting "Madonna and Child" by Italian painter Antonio Solari that was stolen more than 50 years ago and it is now at the center of a custody battle between a widow in England and a small Italian museum. (Art Recovery International via AP)
A painting stolen from an Italian museum is found in England, but its new owner wants to keep it
A 16th-century Italian painting stolen more than 50 years ago has been found. It is now at the center of a custody battle between a widow in England and a small Italian museum.
 
Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in England. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)
UK police arrest captain of cargo ship on suspicion of manslaughter over North Sea collision
Police say they have opened a criminal investigation into a collision between a cargo ship and an oil tanker in the North Sea.
 
In this image taken from video provided by Denys Mezentsev, rescue crews work on site after a cargo ship was hit by a tanker carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military off eastern England, Monday, March 10, 2025, setting both vessels ablaze and sending fuel pouring into the North Sea. (Denys Mezentsev via AP)
A cargo ship hits a tanker and they catch fire off England, with one crew member missing
A cargo ship carrying a toxic chemical hit a tanker carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military off England, setting both vessels on fire and sending fuel pouring into the North Sea.
 
This undated combo of pictures released by the Metropolitan Police shows from left, Katrin Ivanova, Vanya Gaberova and Tihomir Ivanchev. (Metropolitan Police via AP)
3 Bulgarians convicted of spying for Russia across Europe from base in UK
Three Bulgarian nationals have been convicted by a London jury of spying for Russia. The verdicts Friday followed a trial that began in November.
 
Just Stop Oil campaigners pose outside the Court of Appeal at the Royal Courts of Justice, central London, where sixteen climate activists are challenging their sentences, on Friday March 7, 2025. (Lucy North/PA via AP)
UK court throws out appeals by 10 of 16 imprisoned environmental activists
A British court has rejected appeals by most of a group of environmental activists who were jailed for actions including stopping traffic, blocking an oil facility and splashing a van Gogh painting with soup.
 
A Ukrainian serviceman prepares to fire a M777 howitzer towards Russian positions at the frontline near Donetsk, Ukraine, Monday, March 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Roman Chop)
Trump’s halt on military aid will hurt Ukraine’s defenses. But it may not be fatal
The U.S. has been Ukraine’s biggest military backer since Russia’s full-scale invasion began three years ago. The suspension of that aid by the Trump administration doesn’t mean Ukraine’s defenses will quickly collapse.
 
President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Trump says Zelenskyy wants peace, ready to accept minerals deal after WH blowup
President Donald Trump says Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has written to him to say he appreciates U.S. support for his country in its war with Russia and is ready to sign a deal that could ensure future American support.
 
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, and France's President Emmanuel Macron at the European leaders' summit to discuss Ukraine, at Lancaster House, London, Sunday March 2, 2025. (Justin Tallis/Pool via AP)
Starmer and Macron step up to shape European security as Trump roils relations
The leaders of Britain and France are spearheading a desperate diplomatic drive to shore up Europe’s security, bolster Ukraine’s defenses and ensure the Trump administration doesn’t seek a ceasefire on terms that reward Moscow for invading its neighbor.
 
President Donald Trump meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, at the White House, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Carl Court/Pool via AP)
A good rapport but mixed signals on Ukraine: Takeaways from Keir Starmer’s trip to Washington
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has landed back in Britain with the satisfaction of a tricky mission not quite accomplished, but off to a flying start.
 
President Donald Trump meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, at the White House, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Carl Court/Pool via AP)
With flattery and frank talk, Starmer urges Trump not to abandon Ukraine in press to end Russian war
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is using a visit to Washington to press President Donald Trump not to abandon Ukraine as he looks to find a quick endgame to Russia’s bloody invasion of its neighbor.
 
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a statement on Defence spending at Downing Street in London, Tuesday, Feb, 25, 2025. (Leon Neal/Pool photo via AP)
Keir Starmer heads to Washington with UK defense spending pledge to help sway Trump over Ukraine
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is flying to Washington on a trip aimed at persuading U.S. President Donald Trump to maintain military support for Ukraine.
 
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a statement on Defence spending at Downing Street in London, Tuesday, Feb, 25, 2025. (Leon Neal/Pool photo via AP)
UK to raise defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, Starmer says before Trump meeting
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the U.K. will raise defense spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027. Starmer made the committment on Tuesday. The United Kingdom currently spends 2.3% of gross domestic product on defense.
 
Inductees Dave Stewart, left, and Annie Lennox of Eurythmics pose in the press room during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on, Nov. 5, 2022, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
British musicians release a silent album to protest plans to let AI use their work
A new album called “Is This What We Want?” features a stellar list of more than 1,000 musicians — and the sound of silence. The album has contributions from artists including Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, Cat Stevens and Damon Albarn.
 
FILE -British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron shake hands ahead of a bilateral meeting at Chequers, near Aylesbury, England, Thursday Jan. 9, 2025. (Toby Melville/Pool Photo via AP, File)
The leaders of France and Britain head to Washington to urge Trump not to abandon Ukraine
The leaders of France and Britain are making tag-team visits to Washington this week. It’s part of European efforts to persuade President Donald Trump not to abandon Ukraine in pursuit of a peace deal in the three-year-old war with Russia.
 
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to soldiers at the RAF base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, on Dec. 10, 2024.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool File)
European troops, US support are part of an emerging plan for Ukraine. But it faces many hurdles
Political and military leaders in Europe are fleshing out details of a plan for European forces to help ensure Moscow does not attack Ukraine again once the guns fall silent.
 
In this undated handout photo provided by Sotheby's, Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 poses by his painting Crude Oil (Vettriano) by Banksy (2005), which is being sold by Sotheby's on March 4 with some of the proceeds going to victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. (Max Montgomery/Sotheby's via AP)
A treasured Banksy owned by a member of Blink-182 is up for auction. It could fetch $6 million
A painting by street artist Banksy valued at up to 5 million pounds ($6.3 million) is going up for auction next month. “Crude Oil (Vettriano)” is being sold at Sotheby’s by Mark Hoppus, bassist with California skate-punk band Blink-182.
 
Mikey Madison poses with the leading actress award for 'Anora' at the 78th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA's, in London, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
‘Conclave’ wins best picture at BAFTAs as ‘The Brutalist’ takes directing and acting prizes
Papal thriller “Conclave” won four prizes including best picture at the British Academy Film Awards, at a ceremony with no single dominant winner, “The Brutalist” also won four trophies on Sunday including best director for Brady Corbet.
 
In this photo provided by MOLA, Museum of London Archaeology taken in summer 2024, a view of part of the wall of the Roman London Basilica which has been recently unearthed by a redevelopment of a City of London building in London. (MOLA via AP)
Archaeologists unearth the remains of a Roman basilica on the site of a new London skyscraper
Work to give London yet another skyscraper has uncovered traces of the city’s origins almost 2,000 years ago.
 
An early medieval silver penny of Guthrum of East Anglia, the first silver coin minted by a Viking ruler in Britain, is displayed at the British Museum's annual treasure launch in London, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
With metal detectors and patience, amateur treasure hunters unearth pieces of British history
Malcolm Weale was in a farmer’s field with his metal detector when he unearthed a tiny and dirt-covered object. It turned out to be a silver penny minted during the reign of Guthrum who was a ninth-century Viking ruler of eastern England.
 
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