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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
An artist’s impression shows sparks being produced with flint and pyrite. Image: Craig Williams/The Trustees of the British Museum via Reuters
Science

Earliest evidence of humans making fire discovered in UK

A fireplace found in Suffolk is thought to have been made by Neanderthals 400,000 years ago, far earlier than previously known.

Cancer

Sophie Kinsella, Shopaholic author, dies at 55 from brain cancer

Banking & finance

China’s sovereign fund reveals it opened London office after Trump win

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Hong Kong economy

Opinion | As UK-China ties warm, Hong Kong can be a natural bridge

China’s innovation and influence present exciting opportunities for both nations, and Hong Kong plays a unique role in this equation.

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng gestures to British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves before the start of the 11th China-UK Economy and Finance Dialogue in Beijing on January 11. Photo: AP
Social media

Editorial | Curbs on children’s social media use and screen time must strike a balance

The digital world is part of young people’s lives; there is a need to limit risks without depriving children of the benefits of being online.

China-UK relations

UK sanctions Russian and Chinese firms, warns of cyber threats, hybrid warfare

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper says dangers range from disinformation campaigns to physical attacks and sabotage.

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Art

Autistic Scottish artist Nnena Kalu smashes Turner Prize ‘glass ceiling’

The Glaswegian is known for her large-scale abstract drawings and hanging sculptures.

Nnena Kalu (right) is announced as the winner of the Turner Prize in Bradford, England, on Tuesday. Photo: PA via AP
Ukraine war

Member of UK armed forces killed in Ukraine ‘accident’, Britain says

It marked the first time a member of the UK military had been killed in Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Fame and celebrity

Amy Winehouse’s dad sues star’s friends for selling her clothes for US$970,000

Two women say the British singer had lent or given them dozens of items before she died.

Donald Trump

Trump blasts ‘decaying’ and ‘weak’ Europe, pushes Ukraine on elections

US president doubles down on criticism of key allies over immigration and said that Russia has the ‘upper hand’ in the Ukraine war.

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US President Donald Trump speaks during an event at the White House on Monday. Photo: AFP
Science

China-born architect Wang Fei dies in suspected car crash in London

Tributes to the ‘distinguished architectural educator, scholar and curator’ from Syracuse University say he was killed on Monday.

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The China Academy of Art has confirmed that Wang Fei, who taught at Syracuse University in New York state, died on Monday. He was 45. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

Hong Kong financial hub gets gold star for governance, red flag on readiness

Hong Kong has been ranked the world’s No 4 financial hub in a new NYU Abu Dhabi index, but trails rivals on growth and innovation.

Scams and swindles

Letters | Cambodia is confronting the scourge of online scams head-on

Readers discuss the cross-border effort targeting the syndicates behind Cambodia’s scam farms, Malaysia’s first fully home-grown EV, and the investigation into the Tai Po fire in Hong Kong.

Climate change

Opinion | How Hong Kong can distinguish itself as a climate finance hub

The city should lead by directing capital to projects that modernise grids, electrify transport and accelerate green supply chains.

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Hong Kong already ranks among the world’s leading financial centres and leads Asia in green and sustainable bond issuance. Photo: Sam Tsang
Ukraine war

European allies back Ukraine’s Zelensky after Trump criticism

Ukrainian president met leaders in London and Brussels, declaring that ceding territory to Russia - a central point of the US proposal - was impossible.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street in London. Photo: AP
United States

Rubio and Hegseth discuss Indo-Pacific security with Australian counterparts

At the talks, Rubio hailed cooperation between the US and Canberra on critical minerals, defence production and troop deployments.

TikTok

‘Follow me’: UK’s Starmer launches TikTok account despite security ban

Prime minister’s office insists ‘security mitigations’ are in place as he turns to the popular Chinese-owned app for greater outreach.

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World Health Organization (WHO)

New mpox strain found in UK after travel to Asia

New recombinant mpox strain raises concerns over global spread and viral evolution.

A colorised electron micrograph shows green mpox particles within a pink and purple infected cell cultured in a lab. Photo: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease/AFP
China-EU relations

Opinion | In reaching out to China, European states can’t keep acting alone

The idea of an autonomous bloc engaging Beijing from a position of strength and independence collapses when its toothless leaders visit.

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Nato

UK’s bold defence plans face doubt over funding as security challenges rise

Military chiefs worry the UK will have to scale back its defence ambitions amid concerns about what the country can afford.

Yvette Cooper

UK summit will ‘turn the tide’ on worldwide corruption, foreign secretary says

Yvette Cooper said the June summit would target cryptocurrency ‘exploited by people smugglers’ and illicit gold used to fund the Ukraine war.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. Photo: AP
Obituaries

Renowned British photographer Martin Parr dies at 73

The celebrated photographer documented everything from beach life to global consumerism across a decades-spanning career.

Martin Parr during a photo session in Paris on October 31, 2025. Photo: AFP
Aviation

UK police probe Heathrow pepper spray attack linked to suitcase robbery

Chaotic chain of events caused several hours of delays for passengers trying to get to and from the airport.

China-Germany relations

Why top German diplomat’s China trip aims to manage rivalry but won’t reset ties

Critical minerals and Ukraine war expected to be top priorities as Germany’s foreign minister travels to China.

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Indonesia

OnlyFans star Bonnie Blue arrested in Bali on pornography charges

The 26-year-old British content creator is accused of flouting Indonesia’s ‘morality’ laws.

OnlyFans star Bonnie Blue. Photo: Instagram/bonnie_blue_xox
Banking & finance

Exclusive | Mainland bank apps beat those in Hong Kong and Singapore, study says

Strong competition from non-bank players in mainland market forces banks to improve continuously, consulting firm Sia says.

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No banking apps in Asia cracked the global top 10 in the eighth edition of Sia’s study. Photo: Shutterstock
Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky holds ‘very substantive’ call with Trump envoys

The president’s negotiators are in Florida for talks on a US-led plan to end the war with Russia.

Hong Kong courts

My Take | The role of jurors in the legal system should be strengthened, not restricted

The UK has a shocking backlog of criminal cases. But a plan to cut back on jury trials will not necessarily solve the problem and might have far-reaching consequences.

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