Stories by
Lauren Frayer
International Correspondent, London
What a Pearly King taught me about Cockney rhyming slang and East London history
Lauren Frayer | Oct 1, 2026, 2:13 PM UTC
In mother-of-pearl suits, the Pearly Kings used to canvass East London for charity. The most famous one, George Major, died in August. A look back on this larger-than-life figure and the Pearly King tradition.
5 men arrested on terror charges near U.K. air base released on bailLauren Frayer, Steve Inskeep | Sep 29, 2026, 10:42 AM UTC
U.K. accuses Israeli settlers of 'ethnic cleansing' in West Bank and bans their goodsLauren Frayer | Sep 8, 2026, 1:05 PM UTC
Who is Andy Burnham, the U.K.'s new prime minister?
On Monday, former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham succeeds Keir Starmer as the United Kingdom's prime minister. Burnham's politics have been shaped by England's north-south class divide.
Lauren Frayer | Jul 19, 2026, 4:00 PM UTC
How England's class divide shaped Andy Burnham, the U.K.'s likely next prime minister
As mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham brought growth to the postindustrial city. Can he scale that nationally as the next prime minister?
Lauren Frayer | Jul 9, 2026, 9:00 AM UTC
Keir Starmer has resigned, paving way for a 7th U.K. prime minister in 10 years
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is stepping down. His likely successor, Andy Burnham, a popular former mayor, would become the U.K.'s seventh prime minister in 10 years.
Lauren Frayer | Jun 22, 2026, 9:19 AM UTC
She waited decades for Scotland to make the World Cup. At 93, she'll cheer in person
Moira Brown, perhaps the oldest of Scotland's Tartan Army of soccer fans, will be in Boston when Scotland's team plays against Haiti on June 13. "I'm the luckiest person in this world," she says.
Lauren Frayer | Jun 12, 2026, 9:02 AM UTC
Arsenal's glory weekend beckons, and soccer fans all over the world are watching
This weekend is Arsenal F.C.'s victory parade. Fans from London to Lagos are celebrating a dream season — and watching to see if one more trophy is on the way.
Lauren Frayer | May 29, 2026, 8:46 AM UTC