Vicki Barker

After resisting for some time, Starbucks has agreed to pay corporate taxes in Britain. It was revealed earlier that the coffee company has paid no such taxes in the past three years.

On Thursday, Lord Justice Leveson is expected to release his report on regulating the British press, following phone hacking and other abuses by the tabloids. The report, and Prime Minister David Cameron's response to it, will likely be controversial.

The number of black, beetle-like taxis is dwindling. As the company that manufactures the vehicles files for bankruptcy protection, cabbies cross their fingers to keep the iconic car alive.

Illustrator Ralph Steadman became known for his collaborations with "gonzo" journalist Hunter S. Thompson, but their partnership wasn't always easy. The documentary For No Good Reason looks at Steadman's life, art and relationship with the eccentric writer.

The BBC is apologizing to women who claim they were sexually abused decades ago by one of the broadcaster's top entertainers. Jimmy Savile had been knighted for his charity work in 1990. He died last year. The number of women alleging abuse could be more than two dozen and the scandal has dominated Britain's media.

Britain's High Court ruled that five terror suspects, including radical preacher Abu Hamza, can be extradited immediately to the United States. The five suspects have fought for years to avoid facing charges in the U.S.

During a recent argument, British Cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell allegedly called a police officer a "plebe," a pejorative term derived from "plebeian." The ensuing controversy has rekindled accusations that the governing Conservative Party is out of touch with ordinary Britons.

This month, the British government issued licenses allowing trained marksmen in southwest England to shoot badgers. Farmers — and many scientists — say the animals pose a health threat to cattle. But the decision has outraged British animal lovers.

Working closely with a former detective, James still goes out with Brighton police to gather material for his work about an English city with a rich criminal history.

Three weeks before the London Summer Olympics, we are going to see the seedier side of the city. Mystery writer Mark Billingham shows off some of the places that inspired his dark, twisted thrillers. (This piece initially aired August 10, 2009 on Morning Edition).