United Kingdom

A woman in a black shirt holds up her arm on which there is a tattooed number.

Why some descendants of Holocaust survivors choose to replicate a loved one’s Auschwitz tattoo

Alice Bloch talks about her research with the descendants of Holocaust survivors who have replicated the Auschwitz tattoo.

Why some descendants of Holocaust survivors choose to replicate a loved one’s Auschwitz tattoo
sanctuary

‘I just got completely blasted by love’: People in the UK attest to the ways that spirituality is evolving 

‘I just got completely blasted by love’: People in the UK attest to the ways that spirituality is evolving 
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is interviewed by Neil Cavuto.

Henry Kissinger leaves lasting — and controversial — foreign policy legacy

Henry Kissinger leaves lasting — and controversial — foreign policy legacy
A couple embrace during a protest in Trafalgar Square, London, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. They are demanding the release of all hostages allegedly taken by the militant group Hamas.

'A link with my ancestors': Britons reconnect with Jewish roots for EU passports

'A link with my ancestors': Britons reconnect with Jewish roots for EU passports
Hundreds gather at a rally outside New Scotland Yard demanding police to do more to protect London's Jewish citizens.

Jewish London on edge amid spike in antisemitic attacks

Jewish London on edge amid spike in antisemitic attacks
People demonstrate in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, June 30, 2023.

Student loans can be ‘simple’ and ‘automatic.’ Other countries offer lessons to the US.

In the US, interest on student loans started accruing again on Sept. 1. Soon, more than 40 million borrowers will have to resume their payments. The US is an outlier when it comes to high tuition and the debts that students take on.

Student loans can be ‘simple’ and ‘automatic.’ Other countries offer lessons to the US.
The Crooked House before it got demolished.

Demise of ‘Crooked House’ pub is cautionary tale about loss of British heritage

The mysterious demolition of a lopsided 18th-century pub in England has infuriated the local community and raised questions about the loss of British heritage and the demise of the country’s famous pub culture.

Demise of ‘Crooked House’ pub is cautionary tale about loss of British heritage
Woman on bench

Calls for UK to welcome Sudanese refugees the same way as Ukrainians

After the war started in Ukraine last year, the UK created several programs to welcome Ukrainian refugees. British families received stipends to welcome them into their homes, and the Ukrainians had special status to live and work in Britain. But Sudanese refugees fleeing the civil war do not have a quick, legal path to enter the UK, even if they have family there.

Calls for UK to welcome Sudanese refugees the same way as Ukrainians
woman in garden

Thousands of Ukrainians in the UK face homelessness after warm welcome

​​​​​​​After the war began in Ukraine last year, Ukrainians fleeing the violence spread across Europe. In the UK, a program paid families to take Ukrainians into their homes for six months. But the budget for this program was cut in half this year, and thousands of Ukrainians are looking for a longer-term solution, and risk becoming homeless.

Thousands of Ukrainians in the UK face homelessness after warm welcome
movie trailer

Filmmakers hope that Oscar nomination for 'The Quiet Girl' renews interest in the Irish language

“An Cailín Ciúin” (“The Quiet Girl”) is Ireland's first film to be nominated for best foreign language film in the Academy Awards. Language enthusiasts in Ireland are hoping that the new film will give their mother tongue a much-needed boost in a country where less than 2% of the population speak it on a daily basis.

Filmmakers hope that Oscar nomination for 'The Quiet Girl' renews interest in the Irish language
woman in auditorium

New Cate Blanchett film 'Tár' divides opinion among female conductors 

“Tár,” about a virtuoso female conductor, has shone a spotlight on the continuing dearth of women leading major orchestras worldwide.

New Cate Blanchett film 'Tár' divides opinion among female conductors 
firefighters in a line

The world kept warming in 2022. Is the 1.5-degree Celsius target within reach?

Limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is the most-repeated goal in the fight against climate change. But as each new year is among recorded history’s hottest, is it still a viable one? 

The world kept warming in 2022. Is the 1.5-degree Celsius target within reach?
Argentinian players celebrate after winning penalty shootout during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. 

Argentina hailed World Cup champions after dramatic win

After more than 120 minutes of play, Argentina beat France in penalty kicks in an extraordinary match on Sunday at this year’s World Cup in Doha, Qatar.

Argentina hailed World Cup champions after dramatic win
An ambulance is parked outside Portcullis House, backdropped by the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben, in London, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.

‘Winter of discontent’ for UK as nurses begin strike action

Across the United Kingdom this month, up to 100,000 nurses are predicted to take part in a series of strikes over pay and conditions. The British government has so far refused to budge, which nurses warn ultimately puts patients at risk.

‘Winter of discontent’ for UK as nurses begin strike action
US President Joe Biden and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, chat as they gather for a group photo at Castle Elmau in Kruen, near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on Sunday, June 26, 2022. 

Insult to injury: Part I

This week's Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive into the function of insults, name-calling and other types of undiplomatic language.

Insult to injury: Part I