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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

Head of Government

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Andrew Tate (right) with his brother Tristan outside a restaurant in Hong Kong. Photo: X/Andrew Tate

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong cannot extradite Tates without UK or Romania requests, lawmakers say

Videos show Andrew and Tristan Tate surrounded by crowds in Lan Kwai Fong, where onlookers are seen taking photographs and selfies with the influencers.

6 hours agovideocam

US-China relations

Trump says US has requested that China delay Beijing summit by ‘a month or so’

5 hours agovideocam

Ukraine war

Zelensky to visit UK as Starmer says it is ‘vital’ to support Ukraine

17 Mar 2026 - 2:24AM

Donald Trump

BBC asks US court to dismiss Trump’s US$10 billion lawsuit

Documentary was ‘never aired in Florida – or the US’, the British broadcaster said, adding it was challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

1 hour ago

Donald Trump speaks to his supporters at a rally on January 6, 2021 near the White House in Washington before they stormed the US Capitol to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. Photo: Abaca Press / TNS

Crime

‘Evil’ UK nursery worker who raped toddlers in his care jailed for 24 years

The recent cases of child sex abuse have prompted the UK prime minister to consider making security cameras mandatory in nurseries.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:33PM

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong businessman expected to take loss on Peak sites he bought for US$255m

Tender for three Peak Road lots follows sale by Chan King-wai’s family of another Peak property last year at estimated 56 per cent loss.

16 Mar 2026 - 7:58PM

China consumption

How record F1 crowds are accelerating Shanghai’s bid to be a global sports hub

Setting a near 20-year attendance record, this year’s race strengthened the city’s case as global event venue – and China’s efforts to spur consumption.

16 Mar 2026 - 5:16PM

Ferrari’s British driver Lewis Hamilton greets his supporters prior to the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump warns he ‘may delay’ China visit in demand for countries to secure Hormuz

Some allies say no to ships, after US president demands at least seven countries help secure the strategic waterway.

16 Mar 2026 - 6:46PMvideocam

105

Israel-Iran conflict

Police arrest 12 as hundreds join banned pro-Palestinian march in London

Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood agreed to ban the march after police said it was organised by a group ‘supportive of the Iranian regime’.

16 Mar 2026 - 3:43AM

Hong Kong society

Influencer Andrew Tate, facing rape charges in 2 countries, parties in Hong Kong

Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are facing rape and human‑trafficking charges in Romania and UK, visit Lan Kwai Fong and restaurant in Causeway Bay.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:20PMvideocam

A screengrab from a video clip Andrew Tate posted shows him singing alongside a dozen Asian women. Photo: X / Andrew Tate

Fame and celebrity

Meet Eddie Burns, Olivia Dean’s rumoured boyfriend

The Chicago native, who has worked with indie singer Clairo, keeps his romantic life private, although the pair was seen in matching outfits at Wimbledon.

15 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

Olivia Dean and Eddie Burns arrived at Wimbledon last July in matching outfits. Photo: Getty Images

China-EU relations

Tariffs and distrust: EU’s bid to ditch China hits capacity problems

‘Thinly spread’ bloc seeks this week to thrash out memorandum on critical minerals with the US, eyeing a more formal instrument down the road.

15 Mar 2026 - 6:15PMvideocam

Asean

Southeast Asia’s scam compound survivors suffer in stigma and silence

Many survivors return home to inhabit a murky space between victim and offender, with few support services to help them reintegrate.

15 Mar 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: Trump urges China, other nations, to send warships to secure Hormuz

The president insisted that Iran’s military capability had been eliminated but admitted it was still able to attack the strait.

15 Mar 2026 - 6:04AM

120

The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon preparing recently to depart for the Eastern Mediterranean to bolster British defences in the region. Photo: UK MOD via Reuters

Hong Kong

My Take | Mandelson scandal could be the tipping point that costs Starmer his job

Episode has cost China not only a British politician prepared to work for better ties but also potentially a prime minister willing to do business with it.

14 Mar 2026 - 10:16PM

Former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson sits in a vehicle in London on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

UK economy

UK eyes ‘targeted’ support for households amid rising energy costs

Finance chief Rachel Reeves says there are plans to help those vulnerable to sharp rises in energy prices, especially those who rely on heating oil.

14 Mar 2026 - 8:35PMvideocam

China travel

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

China has continually expanded its visa-free policies in recent years. Here is a breakdown of the latest rules.

14 Mar 2026 - 4:00PM

Jeffrey Epstein

UK’s ex-prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson pictured in bathrobes with Epstein

This is thought to be the first photo unearthed of the two men with the late US sex trafficker.

14 Mar 2026 - 5:45AM

An undated image shows Jeffrey Epstein (centre) sitting with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson. Photo: US Department of Justice via AP

Science

Deadly strike on Iran primary school raises questions about AI use in war

While cutting-edge technologies process vast amounts of data, human decisions remain the focal point when systems fail, observers say.

13 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

UK says Russia, Iran trying to ‘hijack global economy’ amid Hormuz closure

Foreign Secretary Cooper said Moscow and Tehran ‘benefit together’ from soaring oil prices.

13 Mar 2026 - 8:34PMvideocam

Crime

‘The Witch’: British mum who kept woman as ‘house slave’ for 25 years is jailed

The victim, who has a learning disability, was deprived of food, forced to do manual labour and assaulted by Amanda Wixon, the court heard.

13 Mar 2026 - 2:27AM

Amanda Wixon, 56, of Tewkesbury in England, was jailed for 13 years on Thursday for forcing a woman with a learning disability to work as a “house slave” for more than 25 years. Photo: Gloucestershire Constabulary

Keir Starmer

UK PM Starmer admits his ‘mistake’ in appointing Mandelson as US ambassador

Starmer faces fresh questions about his judgment over the appointment despite being warned of Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

13 Mar 2026 - 2:36AM

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, with Britain’s former US ambassador Peter Mandelson in 2025. Photo: Pool Photo via AP

Science

Israel’s 90 nuclear warheads make any strike on Iran ‘really dangerous’: expert

Policy head of Nobel Peace Prize-winning group sounds alarm over possible intentional or accidental use of weapons.

12 Mar 2026 - 9:11PMvideocam

My Life

Jane Houng: musician, author – and mother of a murdered child

The founder of Becky’s Button tells how she channelled the grief from losing her daughter into tackling gender-based violence.

12 Mar 2026 - 3:00PM

Law

Legal Tales | Graham A. Harris, a giant of the Hong Kong Bar

Harris, who died on March 10, joins select group elected as Life Members.

12 Mar 2026 - 10:17AM

On February 20, the Bar elected Graham A. Harris SC as a Life Member, the ninth. Photo: Handout

Scams and swindles

150,000 Meta accounts shut down in Southeast Asian scam centre crackdown

Meta has also launched protective tools such as Facebook and WhatsApp alerts for suspicious friend requests and activities.

12 Mar 2026 - 8:17PMvideocam

Workstations used by scam operators are seen after a police raid in Phnom Penh on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Jeffrey Epstein

UK PM Starmer was warned of ‘reputational risk’ in appointing Mandelson

The concerns were raised in a document sent to Starmer in December 2024 before he appointed Mandelson as US ambassdor.

11 Mar 2026 - 10:50PMvideocam

Insurance

Hong Kong marine insurers gain edge over London with cheaper war-risk cover

Hong Kong’s special pool offers cheaper war cover for 10 Chinese ships in the Gulf, bolstering the city’s role as a marine insurance hub.

11 Mar 2026 - 12:33PM

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Britain

Hong Kong cannot extradite Tates without UK or Romania requests, lawmakers say

Videos show Andrew and Tristan Tate surrounded by crowds in Lan Kwai Fong, where onlookers are seen taking photographs and selfies with the influencers.

Trump says US has requested that China delay Beijing summit by ‘a month or so’

Zelensky to visit UK as Starmer says it is ‘vital’ to support Ukraine

BBC asks US court to dismiss Trump’s US$10 billion lawsuit

Documentary was ‘never aired in Florida – or the US’, the British broadcaster said, adding it was challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

‘Evil’ UK nursery worker who raped toddlers in his care jailed for 24 years

The recent cases of child sex abuse have prompted the UK prime minister to consider making security cameras mandatory in nurseries.

Hong Kong businessman expected to take loss on Peak sites he bought for US$255m

Tender for three Peak Road lots follows sale by Chan King-wai’s family of another Peak property last year at estimated 56 per cent loss.

How record F1 crowds are accelerating Shanghai’s bid to be a global sports hub

Setting a near 20-year attendance record, this year’s race strengthened the city’s case as global event venue – and China’s efforts to spur consumption.

Trump warns he ‘may delay’ China visit in demand for countries to secure Hormuz

Some allies say no to ships, after US president demands at least seven countries help secure the strategic waterway.

Police arrest 12 as hundreds join banned pro-Palestinian march in London

Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood agreed to ban the march after police said it was organised by a group ‘supportive of the Iranian regime’.

Influencer Andrew Tate, facing rape charges in 2 countries, parties in Hong Kong

Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are facing rape and human‑trafficking charges in Romania and UK, visit Lan Kwai Fong and restaurant in Causeway Bay.

Meet Eddie Burns, Olivia Dean’s rumoured boyfriend

The Chicago native, who has worked with indie singer Clairo, keeps his romantic life private, although the pair was seen in matching outfits at Wimbledon.

Tariffs and distrust: EU’s bid to ditch China hits capacity problems

‘Thinly spread’ bloc seeks this week to thrash out memorandum on critical minerals with the US, eyeing a more formal instrument down the road.

Southeast Asia’s scam compound survivors suffer in stigma and silence

Many survivors return home to inhabit a murky space between victim and offender, with few support services to help them reintegrate.

Iran war: Trump urges China, other nations, to send warships to secure Hormuz

The president insisted that Iran’s military capability had been eliminated but admitted it was still able to attack the strait.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | Mandelson scandal could be the tipping point that costs Starmer his job

Episode has cost China not only a British politician prepared to work for better ties but also potentially a prime minister willing to do business with it.

UK eyes ‘targeted’ support for households amid rising energy costs

Finance chief Rachel Reeves says there are plans to help those vulnerable to sharp rises in energy prices, especially those who rely on heating oil.

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

China has continually expanded its visa-free policies in recent years. Here is a breakdown of the latest rules.

UK’s ex-prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson pictured in bathrobes with Epstein

This is thought to be the first photo unearthed of the two men with the late US sex trafficker.

Deadly strike on Iran primary school raises questions about AI use in war

While cutting-edge technologies process vast amounts of data, human decisions remain the focal point when systems fail, observers say.

UK says Russia, Iran trying to ‘hijack global economy’ amid Hormuz closure

Foreign Secretary Cooper said Moscow and Tehran ‘benefit together’ from soaring oil prices.

‘The Witch’: British mum who kept woman as ‘house slave’ for 25 years is jailed

The victim, who has a learning disability, was deprived of food, forced to do manual labour and assaulted by Amanda Wixon, the court heard.

UK PM Starmer admits his ‘mistake’ in appointing Mandelson as US ambassador

Starmer faces fresh questions about his judgment over the appointment despite being warned of Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Israel’s 90 nuclear warheads make any strike on Iran ‘really dangerous’: expert

Policy head of Nobel Peace Prize-winning group sounds alarm over possible intentional or accidental use of weapons.

Jane Houng: musician, author – and mother of a murdered child

The founder of Becky’s Button tells how she channelled the grief from losing her daughter into tackling gender-based violence.

Legal Tales | Graham A. Harris, a giant of the Hong Kong Bar

Harris, who died on March 10, joins select group elected as Life Members.

150,000 Meta accounts shut down in Southeast Asian scam centre crackdown

Meta has also launched protective tools such as Facebook and WhatsApp alerts for suspicious friend requests and activities.

UK PM Starmer was warned of ‘reputational risk’ in appointing Mandelson

The concerns were raised in a document sent to Starmer in December 2024 before he appointed Mandelson as US ambassdor.

Hong Kong marine insurers gain edge over London with cheaper war-risk cover

Hong Kong’s special pool offers cheaper war cover for 10 Chinese ships in the Gulf, bolstering the city’s role as a marine insurance hub.

My Take | Mandelson scandal could be the tipping point that costs Starmer his job