Andrei Lugovoi, charged by the UK in poisoning death of Aleksandr Litvinenko, would not be turned over by the Russian prosecutor-general's office, the Interfax news agency reported.

This postage might not get letters delivered faster, but Britain's Royal Mail predicts fans will find its series of Harry Potter stamps magical.

British Finance Minister Gordon Brown is now assured of becoming the next prime minister after his only challenger for the Labour Party leadership dropped out of the race. As of Wednesday, Brown received 307 nominations for party chief while left wing lawmaker John McDonnell had 29.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair says Britain will remain a staunch ally of the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan after he steps down. Speaking in Washington, Mr. Blair Thursday strongly defended Britain's role in the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. He said he would make the same decision again to, "stand shoulder to shoulder" with the United States.

Prime Minister Tony Blair is making the final White House visit of his tenure to mark a friendship with U.S. President George W. Bush that many believe tarnished the legacy of the once popular British leader.

In London, Finance Minister Gordon Brown has launched his bid to lead the British government after Prime Minister Tony Blair steps down next month. Mr. Blair, who also will resign as leader of the ruling Labor Party on June 27, said Friday he is delighted to support Brown's candidacy to succeed him at the end of June.

High praise has come in from around the world for British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who officially announced his resignation date Thursday. President Bush said he will miss Mr. Blair, calling him a political thinker who keeps his word. Mr. Bush indicated that he believes Mr. Blair's likely successor, Finance Minister Gordon Brown, will not change British policy on Iraq.

A day after Tony Blair told Britain that he would be stepping down from office in June 27, the prime minister met Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in London. For VOA, Tom Rivers has details.

A little known Islamist militant group operating in the Gaza Strip is demanding that Britain release a radical Islamic cleric in British custody in return for the freedom of kidnapped BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip have arrived in Washington in advance of a day of ceremony at the White House. The royal couple landed Sunday evening local time at Andrews Air Force base near Washington.

Britain has suspended aid payments to Sri Lanka, because of concerns about the country's human rights record and intensifying violence. As Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, the suspension comes a year and a half after new fighting erupted between the Sri Lanka government and Tamil Tiger rebels.

For the seventh consecutive year Ford has been voted by Reader's Digest readers as Britain's most trusted car brand