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Stephen Castle (@_StephenCastle) profile picture

Stephen Castle

@_StephenCastle

Correspondent in London bureau of New York Times, formerly IHT bureau chief in Brussels, ex-political editor Independent on Sunday

Joined July 2011
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Photo by Stephen Castle (@_StephenCastle)Photo by Stephen Castle (@_StephenCastle)Photo by Stephen Castle (@_StephenCastle)Photo by Stephen Castle (@_StephenCastle)Photo by Stephen Castle (@_StephenCastle)Photo by Stephen Castle (@_StephenCastle)Photo by Stephen Castle (@_StephenCastle)Photo by Stephen Castle (@_StephenCastle)Photo by Stephen Castle (@_StephenCastle)Photo by Stephen Castle (@_StephenCastle)
Britain already has around 450 large data centers. Plans to build another -- one of Europe's largest -- have provoked fury in Devon, southwest England. nytimes.com/2026/10/20/world…
The A.I. Data Center Backlash Has Reached a Quiet Corner of Rural England

The A.I. Data Center Backlash Has Reached a Quiet Corner of Rural England

Plans to build one of Europe’s largest data centers in Devon have been met by strong opposition from residents, as environmental concerns grow.

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Andrea Weiss (@AceWeiss) profile picture
Andrea Weiss
@AceWeissJul 20
I hope this flies too. What I like here, 5 things that new British PM Burnham will have to solve in office. @_StephenCastle @nytimesworld @nytimes nytimes.com/2026/07/20/world…
Five of the Main Challenges Awaiting Britain’s New Prime Minister

Five of the Main Challenges Awaiting Britain’s New Prime Minister

Andy Burnham, who entered Downing Street on Monday, faces a long and daunting list of issues. Here are some of the most urgent.

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Andrea Weiss (@AceWeiss) profile picture
Andrea Weiss
@AceWeissJul 6
I hope this flies too. What I like here, and Manchester knows, how their former mayor transformed the city in good ways, and set him on course for Britain's next prime minster. @_StephenCastle @nytimesworld @nytimes nytimes.com/2026/07/06/world…
‘Business-Friendly Socialism’: Can Burnham’s Manchester Model Transform Britain?

‘Business-Friendly Socialism’: Can Burnham’s Manchester Model Transform Britain?

Andy Burnham was mayor of Greater Manchester for nine years. His time there came to define his identity — and his pitch to become prime minister.

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EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) profile picture
EJ Dionne@EJDionneJun 19
“He’s just optimistic and happy and seems to enjoy being a politician.” Confess I like politicians who are like that. Quote from a very good profile of Andy Burnham, by @_StephenCastle that also wisely cites the great political scientist @robfordmancs. nytimes.com/2026/06/18/world…
Who Is Andy Burnham, the Man Who Could Be Britain’s Next Prime Minister?

Who Is Andy Burnham, the Man Who Could Be Britain’s Next Prime Minister?

Charismatic, northern and exuding a relaxed optimism, Mr. Burnham is a contrast to Keir Starmer. His allies hope he could mend Labour’s relationship with voters.

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Steven Erlanger (@StevenErlanger) profile picture
Steven Erlanger@StevenErlangerJun 19
Who Is Andy Burnham, the Man Who Could Be Britain’s Next Prime Minister? Excellent profile of the latest great white hope. by @_StephenCastle nytimes.com/2026/06/18/world…
Who Is Andy Burnham, the Man Who Could Be Britain’s Next Prime Minister?

Who Is Andy Burnham, the Man Who Could Be Britain’s Next Prime Minister?

Charismatic, northern and exuding a relaxed optimism, Mr. Burnham is a contrast to Keir Starmer. His allies hope he could mend Labour’s relationship with voters.

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Wales now has a new First Minister, Rhun as Iorwerth. He says he has a "love affair" with America (where his parents once taught) -- but not with it's current president nytimes.com/2026/05/09/world…
The Man Who Broke Labour’s Dominance in Wales

The Man Who Broke Labour’s Dominance in Wales

Rhun ap Iorwerth, a former journalist, led his party to the most seats in the Welsh Parliament, ousting the Labour Party, which had long held sway, and beating Reform U.K.

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Dr Chris Laoutaris (@DrCLaoutaris) profile picture
Dr Chris Laoutaris@DrCLaoutarisApr 16
It was great being interviewed by @_StephenCastle (@nytimes) on Lucy Munro's exciting findings about Shakespeare's property. It confirms my suspicions (in my book, SHAKESPEARE'S BOOK) that the Bard was very active in London post 1613!! @ShakesInstitute share.google/XXM3jUnJLHciwx7…
Shakespeare Bought One Property in London. Now We Know Exactly Where.

Shakespeare Bought One Property in London. Now We Know Exactly Where.

In confirming the precise location of William Shakespeare’s Blackfriars house, a British scholar raises fresh questions about what he intended to do with it.

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Was Shakespeare planning a final act to his illustrious dramatic career? New information about a London real estate purchase in 1613, just three years before he died, suggests the Bard may not have been thinking about retirement . nytimes.com/2026/04/15/world…
Shakespeare Bought One Property in London. Now We Know Exactly Where.

Shakespeare Bought One Property in London. Now We Know Exactly Where.

In confirming the precise location of William Shakespeare’s Blackfriars house, a British scholar raises fresh questions about what he intended to do with it.

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Debra Kamin (@debra_kamin) profile picture
Debra Kamin@debra_kamin23 Dec 2025
#epsteinfiles An email address linked to the former Prince Andrew exchanged notes with Ghislaine Maxwell seeking "inappropriate friends" and girls who could entertain him while representing the Crown in Peru. For @nytimes with @_StephenCastle nytimes.com/2025/12/23/us/po…
New Epstein Papers Appear to Show Former Prince Andrew Seeking ‘Girls’

New Epstein Papers Appear to Show Former Prince Andrew Seeking ‘Girls’

In emails sent to Ghislaine Maxwell, a man at the British royal family’s summer residence in Scotland asks Ms. Maxwell for “new inappropriate friends,” then inquires about “girls” ahead of a trip to...

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Fancy a Snickers flavored with Russian ice cream? British convenience stores are selling bars of the confectionery made in Russia. nytimes.com/2025/12/23/world…
The Strange Case of the Russian Snickers in U.K. Convenience Shops

The Strange Case of the Russian Snickers in U.K. Convenience Shops

The Russian-labeled candy bars are a reminder of how difficult it is to completely disconnect a major economy from the global flow of goods.

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After Brexit, Britain quit a Europe-wide student exchange program credited with creating a million babies whose parents met each other that way. Now Britain is rejoining. nytimes.com/2025/12/17/world…
Britain Rejoins E.U. Student Exchange Program That It Left After Brexit

Britain Rejoins E.U. Student Exchange Program That It Left After Brexit

The government said it would pay about $760 million to allow young Britons to take part in 2027.

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As the political backlash against immigration gathers pace in Britain, some parts of Scotland face big labor shortages nytimes.com/2025/11/04/world…
In Some Parts of Scotland, ‘The Only Thing We Need Is People’

In Some Parts of Scotland, ‘The Only Thing We Need Is People’

Bucking the anti-immigration trend in British politics, remote areas of Scotland would like to attract foreign workers to offset declining local populations.

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A third big policy reversal by Keir Starmer - this time on welfare - weakens his authority over his party nytimes.com/2025/06/27/world… via @NYTimes
Starmer Backtracks on Planned Social Cuts After Pushback From His Own Party (Published 2025)

Starmer Backtracks on Planned Social Cuts After Pushback From His Own Party (Published 2025)

The British prime minister had pressed ahead with the proposal, but a parliamentary vote on it was expected to fail.

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Lawmakers have approved plans for assisted dying in England and Wales for the second time - making them almost certain to become law nytimes.com/2025/06/20/world…
Medically Assisted Dying Moves Closer to Legalization in England and Wales (Published 2025)

Medically Assisted Dying Moves Closer to Legalization in England and Wales (Published 2025)

British lawmakers on Friday confirmed their support for assisted suicide for some terminally ill people, after months of scrutiny that followed an initial vote last year.

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Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) profile picture
Peter Baker
@peterbakernyt19 May 2025
Harvard Law School bought a copy of the Magna Carta in 1946 for $27.50. Except it turns out it wasn't a copy after all, but an original from 1300. @_StephenCastle nytimes.com/2025/05/15/world…
Harvard Paid $27 for a Copy of Magna Carta. Surprise! It’s an Original. (Published 2025)

Harvard Paid $27 for a Copy of Magna Carta. Surprise! It’s an Original. (Published 2025)

Two British academics discovered that a “copy” of the medieval text, held in Harvard Law School’s library for 80 years, is one of seven originals dating from 1300.

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“The manuscript’s value is hard to estimate, although it is fair to say that its price tag of under $30 (about $500 today) must make it one of the bargains of the last century. A 710-year-old version of Magna Carta was sold in 2007 for $21.3 million.” @_StephenCastle
Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) profile picturePeter Baker
@peterbakernyt19 May 2025
Harvard Law School bought a copy of the Magna Carta in 1946 for $27.50. Except it turns out it wasn't a copy after all, but an original from 1300. @_StephenCastle nytimes.com/2025/05/15/world…
Harvard Paid $27 for a Copy of Magna Carta. Surprise! It’s an Original. (Published 2025)

Harvard Paid $27 for a Copy of Magna Carta. Surprise! It’s an Original. (Published 2025)

Two British academics discovered that a “copy” of the medieval text, held in Harvard Law School’s library for 80 years, is one of seven originals dating from 1300.

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Ahead of his visit to Washington, Britain's Keir Starmer promises to raise military spending to 2.5 percent of gross domestic value w/@MarkLandler nytimes.com/2025/02/25/world…
U.K. Announces Increase in Military Spending Ahead of Trump Meeting (Published 2025)

U.K. Announces Increase in Military Spending Ahead of Trump Meeting (Published 2025)

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is set to meet with President Trump on Thursday, said he would increase British spending on defense to 2.5 percent of G.D.P. by 2027.

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In Wales, a victory for Nigel Farage's Reform UK Party sends a warning to Keir Starmer's Labour nytimes.com/2025/02/14/world…
In a Corner of Wales, Britain’s Hard-Right Reform U.K. Party Gains Ground (Gift Article)

In a Corner of Wales, Britain’s Hard-Right Reform U.K. Party Gains Ground (Gift Article)

Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration party is winning over some disillusioned Labour voters by targeting regions that are struggling economically and by campaigning on local issues.

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Britain faces a new and dangerous form of extremism, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday, warning that loners and misfits were being radicalized by “a tidal wave of violence freely available online.” @_StephenCastle reports: nytimes.com/2025/01/21/world…
Southport Killings Are a New Kind of Terrorism, U.K. Prime Minister Says (Gift Article)

Southport Killings Are a New Kind of Terrorism, U.K. Prime Minister Says (Gift Article)

After a teenager admitted murdering three girls at a dance class, Keir Starmer said people were being radicalized into violence for its own sake and terrorism laws might need to change.

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Britain’s Emotional Debate Over Assisted Dying. As lawmakers prepare to vote on legalizing medically assisted death for the terminally ill in England and Wales, an intense public discussion has unfolded, by @_StephenCastle nytimes.com/2024/11/27/world… via @nytimes #MAiD
Britain’s Emotional Debate Over Assisted Dying (Published 2024)

Britain’s Emotional Debate Over Assisted Dying (Published 2024)

As lawmakers prepare to vote on legalizing assisted suicide for the terminally ill in England and Wales, an intense public discussion has unfolded.

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