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Britain

Britain
The latest breaking news and stories on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe which includes England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the world’s sixth largest economy. Also covering the UK’s relationship with the European Union (EU) post Brexit, as well as with China, plus commentary and updates on the UK’s economy, politics, society and social issues.
Capital
London
Head of State
King Charles III
King Charles III
Head of Government
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Maros Sefcovic said Brussels is reviewing trade defence tools and monitoring imports of Chinese plug-in hybrid vehicles. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

EU too slow to act as China rewrites global trade rules, trade chief Sefcovic warns

Commissioner calls for faster trade probes and WTO reform as Brussels confronts overcapacity, subsidies and a US$424 billion deficit.

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Ukraine war

Russia accuses Ukraine of seeking nuclear arms with help from UK and France

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Jeffrey Epstein

UK eyes releasing files on ‘arrogant’ Andrew to clean away Epstein ‘stain’

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Banking & finance

Why China’s rise as a ‘financial superpower’ could depend on Hong Kong

From the yuan’s growth as a global currency to IPO funding to tokenisation, the city is a linchpin in Beijing’s ambitions.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Science

World-leading EV motor expert joins Hong Kong PolyU after 38 years in Britain

Permanent magnets scientist Zhu Ziqiang is continuing his globally renowned research in his new role.

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Banking & finance

Standard Chartered’s 2025 profit jumps 16% buoyed by wealth management growth

The London-based bank’s underlying pre-tax profit stood at US$7.9 billion last year, versus a gain of US$6.8 billion in 2024.

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London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week 2026: Burberry pays homage to its British heritage

Drawing in a star-studded audience from Stray Kids’ Seungmin to Olivia Dean and Kate Moss, the brand focused on its outerwear roots.

The rain-soaked runway at the Burberry fall/winter 2026 show. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong courts

Opinion | A speedy pardon in the Jimmy Lai case is unlikely

Foreign governments campaigning for the former media boss’ release should thoroughly look into the nuances of the case as the legal process plays out.

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Racism and other prejudice

Bafta and BBC apologise for racial slur during awards show

Tourette’s campaigner ‘mortified’ after he shouted a racial slur at the Bafta Film Awards on Sunday night.

Peter Mandelson

Former UK ambassador Mandelson arrested after Epstein leaks

Peter Mandelson is being probed over allegations that he sent sensitive documents to Jeffrey Epstein.

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Peter Mandelson being led away from his home by a police officer. Photo: BBC via Reuters
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong protests: former young offenders sent on mainland China exchange tours

Head of correctional authorities says expansion of existing scheme aims to boost patriotism and understanding of Chinese culture.

Inmates access computers during a media tour of a Hong Kong prison. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Food and Drinks

These Korean cafes in London are exploding in popularity. Here’s why

High-concept design meets casual dishes and innovative hot drinks at London’s Korean cafes, a popular model fuelled by social media.

London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week 2026: Simone Rocha, Erdem and Chet Lo

Erdem created a scrapbook of previous show inspirations, from Queen Elizabeth to Duchess Deborah Devonshire, while Simone Rocha drew on her signature pearls and ribbons.

Cinema

One Battle After Another triumphs with 6 Bafta prizes as Oscars loom

Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller dominates UK awards, while newcomer Robert Aramayo stuns Hollywood heavyweights for best actor.

Director Paul Thomas Anderson and One Battle After Another cast. Photo: Reuters
Crime

UK protection officers instructed to guard 2010 Epstein party: reports

Emails from the recently unsealed ‘Epstein files’ suggest UK officers were utilised at the sex offender’s New York residence.

A Manhattan residence once owned by Jeffrey Epstein. Photo: AFP
Fame and celebrity

Meet Charlotte Mellington, who plays young Catherine in Wuthering Heights

The 14-year-old stars in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of the Emily Brontë novel alongside Owen Cooper, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.

Germany

Germany’s ruling party seeks social media ban for children aged below 14

Spain, Greece, France, Britain and other countries are looking at similar social media bans or curbs.

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My Take

My Take | Arrest shows that no one is above the law, not even a former British prince

While the monarchy’s future may depend on how King Charles handles the affair, every effort must be made to ensure the Epstein victims receive justice.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, is escorted by police after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Photo: Reuters
China's military weapons

Can China find a market for its fifth-generation J-35 warplanes?

Analysts are uncertain how much demand there will be for the fighter in the face of competition from the US F-35 or cheaper alternatives.

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Science

EU bans Chinese organisations from critical tech programmes, including AI, chips

Chinese space scientist Wu Ji doubts the policy will hurt China much and may instead ‘make Europe appear more isolated’.

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Ukraine war

5 European nations to make drones by tapping Ukraine’s war experience

The initiative by France, Poland, Germany, the UK and Italy comes after a spate of violations of Europe’s airspace involving rogue drones.

A Ukrainian member of a drone team launches a surveillance drone towards Russian position in the eastern Donetsk region on February 4, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photo: AFP
Nepal

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Archaeologists hope the newly discovered ruins at Siddhartha Gautam’s childhood palace will help secure Unesco World Heritage status.

Archaeologists at work in Tilaurakot, Lumbini, Nepal. Photo: Department of Archaeology, Nepal
Artificial intelligence

Opinion | Who will save the world from a US-China AI arms race?

Unrestrained military AI could doom us all. The window for a global middle-power alliance to rein in the superpowers is closing fast.

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Andrew’s ‘downfall’: how the viral photo of the disgraced ex-prince was taken

Photographer Phil Noble had already left the scene but raced back just in time to snap six shots – one of which was a winner.

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

UK to consider removing ex-prince Andrew from royal line of succession

Police, meanwhile, are urging Andrew’s former protection officers to come forward with any allegations of Epstein-related sex offences.

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Newspapers featuring coverage of the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor are displayed at a newsagent in Egham near Windsor on Friday. Photo: Reuters
Thailand

Co-founder of British retailer Asos dies after falling from balcony in Thailand

Quentin Griffiths’ friend told police the Briton had been worried about lawsuits from his former wife, a Thai national.

Asos co-founder Quentin Griffiths’ body is found at the bottom of this residential building in Pattaya on February 9. Photo: Reuters
Trade

Outside In | Try as it might, the US alone can’t reverse the tide of globalisation

Accounting for a significant share of world trade, Europe and Asia are far more decisive players in the fast-changing globalised economy.

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Royalty

First royal arrest in centuries presents existential crisis for ‘The Firm’

The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor forces King Charles to choose the Crown over his own brother.

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