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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
Wang Xiaohong, China’s public security minister, addresses the inaugural conference of the International Alliance Combating Telecoms and Cyber Fraud, in Lianyungang on September 10. Photo: Xinhua
China-Africa relations

China, Africa boost law enforcement ties in crackdown on cross-border cybercrime

Police cooperation allows Beijing to expand its security role without formal alliances or a large military footprint, observers say.

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US-China relations

Chinese art takes long march home from US museums

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Trade

Opinion | Can Britain really afford to diverge from EU tariffs on Chinese EVs?

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Pakistan

As Saudi Arabia steps up war against Houthis, Pakistan set to play support role

To rally support among Pakistanis for the move, Islamabad and Riyadh have highlighted the Houthis’ recent drone attack on Mecca.

Houthi supporters rally in Sanaa, Yemen, last month to celebrate advances by Houthi forces along the Red Sea coastline. Photo: Reuters
Houthi fighters and local residents search through the rubble of a house following a strike by Saudi-backed forces in the town of Kadhah, in Taiz province, Yemen last month. Photo: Al-Masirah TV/AP
US-China trade war

In Focus | China has dominated tungsten for decades. Can US investment loosen its grip?

Kazakhstan is at the centre of US efforts to build a new supply chain for the metal, but analysts say China’s lead will be difficult to overcome.

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Chinese overseas

Being Chinese | I’m 80. It’s not too late to reconnect with my Chinese roots

I received a colonial education and went on to raise global citizens. Then came the reckoning that only age and a changing world could bring.

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King Charles III

King Charles to acknowledge ‘darkest days’ of colonial rule on Caribbean tour

The UK monarch will first visit the Bahamas and Guyana alone, followed by a trip to Antigua and Barbuda with Queen Camilla.

Britain’s King Charles speaks to guests during the annual Commonwealth Day Reception at St James’s Palace in London in March. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong could overtake London as top arbitration hub in decade: Bar Association head

Jose-Antonio Maurellet says Hong Kong’s status as global fundraising capital fuelling rise as city increasingly chosen to resolve high-value disputes.

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Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | ‘Money is money’: US, UK firms still coming to Hong Kong, commerce chief says

2026 has been a challenging year because of the geopolitical situation, but Hong Kong’s stability continues to draw investors, Algernon Yau says.

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Hong Kong society

Opinion | Investing in Hong Kong’s mental health makes good economic sense

Mental well-being is more than a public health concern. Evidence shows investing in mental health generates robust economic returns.

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A man sits alone on the Sai Ying Pun waterfront with the Hong Kong skyline in the background on May 5. Photo: Karma Lo
Iran

UK-Iranian man arrested over suspected Fairford airbase plot

The dual national, 27, has been held on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts at the facility used by the US to target Iran.

A B‑1B Lancer bomber arrives at RAF Fairford airbase on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
John Lee policy address 2026

Letters | Hong Kong need not build its ‘AI City Brain’ from scratch

Readers discuss the government’s plan to use artificial intelligence, and the death of a boarding school student from Hong Kong in the UK.

China-UK relations

UK accuses China of using academics to spy on AI and other tech research

MI5 has issued an unprecedented alert, while UK universities have been told to cut ties with the China General Technology Research Institute.

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France

UK-France deal targeting migrants crossing English Channel is scrapped

So-called ‘one in, one out’ arrangement ends as France declines UK request to extend cooperation.

Migrants in life jackets prepare to cross the English Channel off the coast of northern France. Photo: Reuters
Iran

UK PM says ‘strong indications’ of Iran role in incident at US-run airbase

Tehran says UK ‘barking up the wrong tree’ after Burnham links Iran to a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford.

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Police officers guard an area near RAF Fairford on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

From Ed Sheeran to Massive Attack: Gaza rows spark Southeast Asia backlash

With global acts also touring Asia, UK star Ed Sheeran’s concert fallout in the US raises the question of how the saga would play out regionally.

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Art

7 must-visit exhibitions in October 2026, from BTS star RM’s collection to Jackson Pollock

Explore the K-pop icon’s personal collection at SFMOMA, the legacy of Pollock and his wife Lee Krasner, Issy Wood’s self-portraits, Rafael Pavarotti’s photography and more.

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Education in Hong Kong

5 universities in Hong Kong rank in top 100 in ‘historic’ shift from West to East

University of Hong Kong retains position as city’s highest-ranked institution, at 33rd, in Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

The University of Hong Kong has once again ranked 33rd in the global top 100. Photo: Karma Lo
Andy Burnham

Burnham vows big shake-up for UK in high-risk political speech

Prime minister promises national care service, electoral reform and EU reset while warning of pension funding trade-offs.

US-Iran tensions

Mystery deepens over UK airbase incident as police find petrol, not explosives

Surprise decision to release five suspects on bail fuels uncertainty over RAF Fairford security scare.

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France

Child, 2 women ‘crushed to death’ as 105 people on 1 boat try to reach UK

Asylum seekers pay smugglers thousands of dollars to board unstable and overcrowded dinghies to journey to Britain from France.

A migrant sits in a bus as she leaves the rescue area of the French port of Calais on Monday. Three other migrants, including a child aged 10, died while attempting to cross the sea to Britain. Photo: Reuters
United States

5 men released on bail in UK over suspected US-run airbase plot

Five British nationals freed under strict conditions as police track possible links to Iran, Russia or militant groups.

Armed police guard a road outside the perimeter of RAF Fairford airbase. Photo: Reuters
Get to Know

Meet Sasha Attwood, Jack Grealish’s partner – model, influencer and ‘Wag queen of holidays’

Currently on loan at Everton, the footballer shares a baby girl with his childhood sweetheart, and they walked the red carpet at the Oasis film premiere in London earlier this month.

Japan

Japan denies ‘militarisation’ after Russia opposes permanent UN council seat

Japan’s top spokesman says Japan has ‘consistently defended freedom, democracy and the rule of law’ since the end of World War II.

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Middle East

Netanyahu makes unannounced visit to UAE, meets Gulf state’s president

Reported visit comes with the Middle East still gripped by the Israel-US war launched against Iran in February.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly in New York last week. Photo: AFP
UK Labour Party

Britain’s Labour Party launches annual conference buoyed by Burnham

New British leader faces pressure to deliver concrete plans as party enters Liverpool gathering ahead in opinion polls.

Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the first day of the annual Labour Party conference. Photo: AFP
Crime

UK arrests 5 on suspicion of terror plot near airbase used by US forces

Police investigate potential link to a foreign state after three suspicious vehicles prompt evacuations outside RAF Fairford.

China consumption

As Chinese retirees boost consumption, some hope for greater respect in society

Age bias is an obstacle to the growth of China’s silver economy, researchers say.

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