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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
AstraZeneca’s booth at the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, July 17, 2025. Photo: EPA
Made in China 2025

Global drug giants double down on China amid push for self-reliant supply chains

Multinationals are building self-reliant supply chains in China to insulate local markets from potential trade disruptions, say analysts.

Malaysia

Some tourists in Malaysia make most of ‘extended’ holiday amid flight mess

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China jobs

Survey shows China’s professionals have high expectations – for low pay

Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison vows to pursue ‘all legal remedies’ over seized Panama ports

Group says diversified network could benefit from higher storage revenue as inventory demand rises amid Strait of Hormuz crisis.

Cristobal port was seized by Panamanian authorities in February. Photo: AFP
Iran

2 men charged with spying for Iran on UK Jewish targets

The men are accused of spying on targets given to them by Iran, including the Israeli embassy and Britain’s oldest synagogue.

Shanghai

Shanghai certifies 30 overseas offices amid China’s investment sales pitch

The city welcomed a batch of new regional headquarters and R&D centres this week, as China continues its campaign to win back overseas capital.

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Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison reports 7% gain in underlying profit

Diversified business mitigates impact of adverse developments including ‘legal conflict’ over Panama ports, chairman says.

Flags fly outside Cheung Kong Center in Central on February 4, 2026. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong society

Hongkongers on BN(O) pathway won’t face tougher English test, UK confirms

Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp says current B1 English language requirement for settlement under BN(O) route will remain unchanged.

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European Union

Hundreds die crossing Mediterranean as 2026 already smashes records

At least 655 migrants died or went missing in January and February taking one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

Disease

‘Unprecedented in spread’: UK races to contain deadly meningitis outbreak

Health officials target 5,000 students at the University of Kent after two deaths and a spike in MenB cases linked to a nightclub.

People queue to receive vaccinations at the University of Kent campus. Photo: Reuters
Wellness

World’s ‘happiest’ places revealed as social media weighs on us

Heavy social media use is undermining youth well-being in many countries, according to a UN-sponsored report.

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A girl in Sydney uses her phone. Australia restricted young people’s access to social media services late last year. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Europe says no to Trump’s Iran demands: ‘not our war’

Some of the closest US allies say they don’t want to enter a conflict on which they were given no say ⁠and where they cannot see the endgame.

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Ukraine war

Zelensky urges EU to bypass Hungarian veto on vital US$103 billion loan

Putin ally Viktor Orban has been blocking the loan, in part because of a closed pipeline supplying his country with Russian oil in Ukraine.

China manufacturing

Global EV uptake expected to accelerate as Iran war causes petrol price hikes

With more than half of Chinese new car sales being electric in 2025, the nation could save US$28 billion a year in avoided oil import costs.

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Employees work on an electric vehicle (EV) production line at the Volkswagen Anhui factory in Hefei, Anhui province, China, as the Iran war pushes up petrol prices and global EV uptake is expected to accelerate. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Letters | Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s trump card

Readers discuss Iran’s best weapon in negotiations, and how the leaders of China and the US can change the course of events in the Middle East.

The tanker Callisto sits anchored in Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, Oman, on March 12 as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz almost stalls, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Photo: Reuters
Human rights

Scottish lawmakers reject bill to let terminally ill people end their lives

A similar bill that would legalise assisted dying in England and Wales is currently bogged down in the British Parliament in London.

Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky warns of ‘brothers in hatred’ as Iran war steals focus

Ukrainian leader visits London as the Middle East conflict overshadows the four-year war against Russia.

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Crime

Northern Ireland’s Gerry Adams tells bombings trial he was never in IRA

The ex-Sinn Fein leader is being sued in a civil case at London’s High Court by 3 people injured in UK bombings during the 1970s and 1990s.

Former Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London on Tuesday. Photo: PA Wire / dpa
US, Israel war on Iran

Military escort for tankers in Strait of Hormuz not long-term fix: IMO head

The UN organisation head said an international naval operation, as suggested by Trump, would not be sustainable.

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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.

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US-China relations

China ‘in communication’ with US after Trump seeks to delay trip by a month

Neither US president nor China’s foreign ministry can confirm timing of trip after Trump says he wants a delay ‘because of the war’.

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Talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing had been scheduled for March 31 to April 2. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

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

‘We cannot allow the war in the Gulf to turn into a windfall for Putin,’ Starmer said ahead of Tuesday’s meeting in London.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit the UK on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

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.

The sites at 86, 88 and 90 Peak Road sold in 2017 for about US$255 million. Photo: Google Map
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.

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.

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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’.

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