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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
Starmer, centre, makes a statement to MPs following his recent trip to China and Japan, in the House of Commons in London on Monday. Photo: House of Commons / AFP / Handout
China-UK relations

Starmer faces backlash over China trip amid claims he was ‘tricked’ by Beijing

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the UK prime minister of adopting a ‘supine and short-termist approach’ to China.

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Donald Trump

Iran’s Pezeshkian orders nuclear talks with US as Trump hopeful of deal

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China-Latin America relations

China targets Brazil minerals as Chalco, Rio Tinto take over CBA for US$886m

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Russia

Russian captain found guilty over crew member’s death in US tanker crash

Vladimir Motin was captain of the Solong when it hit the US tanker near the UK in March. Crewman Mark Pernia’s body has never been found.

Smoke rises from the Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the coast of Withernsea, east of England, on March 11. Photo: AFP
Jeffrey Epstein

UK’s Mandelson faces scrutiny over Epstein ties and leaked government briefing

Starmer seeks to oust the ex-ambassador to the US after the discovery of an email suggesting Mandelson sent a government document to Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

Fergie called Epstein ‘brother’ and ‘legend’, new emails reveal

Ex-wife of UK’s former prince Andrew asked late sex offender for rent money and joked ‘just marry me’ in 2009 exchanges, documents show.

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Jeffrey Epstein

Epstein files reveal ‘embarrassing’ friendship with another royal

Crown princess’ name appears hundreds of times in the millions of new Epstein documents released by the US Department of Justice.

An email chain illustrates the extensive redactions applied by the US Department of Justice to some Jeffrey Epstein documents. Photo: AP
China economy

Opinion | US-China rivalry: great powers that don’t make things won’t be great for long

As globalisation falters, it is countries that focus on building productive capacity, not financial excess, that will come out on top.

Jeffrey Epstein

Former UK ambassador quits Labour Party after latest Epstein files revelations

Peter Mandelson is facing questions over several payments allegedly received from Jeffrey Epstein in the early 2000s.

China-Africa relations

How China’s plan to internationalise yuan has quietly taken a step forward

Decision to repay loans and import costs directly to China in Chinese currency is practical rather than political, experts say.

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Zambia is collecting taxes and royalties from Chinese mining firms in yuan, and repaying loans and import costs back to Beijing in the same currency. Photo: AP
Fame and celebrity

Meet Finn Bennett, who plays Prince Aerion in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

The Irish-British actor plays Aerion in HBO Max’s new Game of Thrones spin-off, but did you know he was in True Detective and Warfare, too?

British actor Finn Bennett poses as part of a red carpet event for the newly released HBO Max production series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the new prequel of the Game of Thrones saga, in Rome, on January 15. Photo: AFP
Jeffrey Epstein

UK PM says ex-prince Andrew should explain all Epstein ties in US Congress

The prime minister’s tougher stance is likely to ratchet up the pressure on Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles by the king last year.

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Sexual harassment and assault

New Epstein photos show ex-prince Andrew on all fours over woman on the floor

The British royal also discussed potentially meeting a ‘beautiful’ Russian woman in her 20s in emails with the late sex offender.

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Sundance Film Festival

Film on Scottish community resisting immigration raid wins Sundance award

Documentary ‘Everybody To Kenmure Street’ is about the day hundreds of people in Glasgow gathered to prevent two neighbours being detained.

An image from ‘Everybody to Kenmure Street’, a documentary about a community in Scotland resisting an immigration raid. Photo: via PA Media/dpa
Pop Mart

Labubu toymaker Pop Mart picks London as European headquarters in overseas push

CEO Wang Ning reveals firm’s latest expansion plan at Friday’s closed-door meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

A shopper walks inside a Pop Mart store in London on May 21, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Japan

Japan, UK agree outer space, critical mineral supply chains collaboration

PMs Sanae Takaichi and Keir Starmer also said they’d work together in other areas, including cybersecurity, trade and defence.

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China-EU relations

Full pivot or anxious hedge? Europe’s leaders flock to China

In Brussels, a form of transactional pragmatism has taken root as bloc seeks to weather US hostility.

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China travel

Here are 5 ways to enter China without a visa – by land, sea or air

With more countries joining the visa exemption list and more points of entry for other passport holders, travel to China has never been easier.

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Visa-free transit signage at Beijing Capital International Airport. Photo: Simon Song
US-China relations

As Canada and UK hit refresh on China ties, is this the end of Five Eyes?

The White House’s ‘America first’ strategy is prompting alliance members to take another look at their relationship with Beijing.

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Diplomacy

Editorial | Starmer’s visit to China highlights benefits of dialogue over confrontation

While several deals were struck on the UK prime minister’s trip, the most important outcome is the willingness of the leaders of both countries to work constructively together.

China-UK relations

China lifted sanctions on British lawmakers after Starmer–Xi meeting, UK says

Prime minister says Beijing has removed 2021 curbs on MPs as part of a wider reset, though sanctions on others appear to remain.

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer addresses Chinese and UK business delegations at a reception in Shanghai on Friday. Photo: AFP
China's military weapons

Has China’s game-changer PL-17 long-range missile finally been seen up close?

Photo on Chinese social media appears to show full-size model of missile that may pose threat to US air dominance in Pacific, analysts say.

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A PLA J-16 fighter jet is seen loaded with missiles including the PL-10, PL-12, PL-15 and the bigger PL-17, which observers say is the world’s longest-range air-to-air missile. Photo: Handout
China trade

What has UK PM Starmer achieved in China – and what next for Sino-British ties?

The British leader’s trip has so far yielded tariff cuts and agreements on trade and investment.

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US-China trade war

Trump slams allies’ China ties, top generals fall, cross-strait talks

This week: US president says ‘very dangerous’ for UK to boost China ties, two top Chinese generals face corruption probes, and gold surges. Next week: Communist Party and Taiwan’s Kuomintang resume forum after 10 years, Uruguay president visits China, Shanghai opens skies to drones and more.

United States

Outside In | Gradually, then suddenly, the world is waking up to the US threat

Middle powers are pivoting to Beijing and hedging with new partners as China’s economic displacement of the US rapidly expands.

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US President Donald Trump raises his fist after a “Board of Peace” meeting at the World Economic Forum annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22. Photo: AFP
China stock market

Exclusive | UK and China weigh cross-border asset-management scheme to deepen market ties

Ashley Alder, chairman of the Financial Conduct Authority, joins the British delegation, with UK-China links high on the agenda.

UK Financial Conduct Authority chairman Ashley Alder, pictured at the Island Shangri-La in Admiralty on January 28, 2026. Photo: Karma Lo
China-UK relations

Britain’s Starmer hopes gift of Man United match ball scores with China’s Xi

Reviving a familiar playbook, the British leader uses football to seek diplomatic headway during an official visit to Beijing.

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Hong Kong politics

Starmer stresses Hong Kong’s stability as key to stronger ties in meeting with Xi

Meeting focused on shared interests to bolster Sino‑British relations, with Jimmy Lai’s national security case also touched upon in ‘respectful’ discussions.

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