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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
Some 34 per cent of the global oil trade passed through the Strait of Hormuz last year. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Europe tests ‘third way’ on Hormuz without the US, Israel and Iran. Will it work?

Coalition of more than 30 nations to meet in Paris for a summit to find a ‘credible proposal’ to restore shipping through the strait.

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US-China trade war

Why the biggest threat to US dollar dominance may well be Washington itself

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Keir Starmer

Epstein scandal: UK foreign ministry chief out over Mandelson vetting failure

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Science

10,000 suns: mind-blowing power of black hole jets measured for the first time

The jets can help scientists understand how black holes help shape galaxies and other cosmic structures.

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The strong stellar wind from a supergiant star pushes the jets launched by a black hole away from the star. Image: International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research via AP
Foreign exchange market

China trims US Treasury holdings as global ownership hits record

Beijing slightly pares its sovereign US debt position as private investors and certain financial hubs drive demand up.

BBC

BBC to slash 2,000 jobs in biggest redundancy drive in 15 years

The British broadcaster will axe 10 per cent of its workforce as it navigates ‘financial pressures’.

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My Life

Former Hong Kong rugby team captain reflects on the first Sevens tournament in 1976

The former England international rugby player tells Annemarie Evans about his turn as captain of the Hong Kong team at the inaugural Sevens tournament here in 1976.

Bob Lloyd poses for a portrait at the Hong Kong Football Club, Happy Valley, Hong Kong. Lloyd served as the captain of Hong Kong team during the first Hong Kong Sevens in 1976. Photo: Alexander Mak
Keir Starmer

UK PM Starmer says ‘not going to yield’ to Trump’s Mideast war threats

Keir Starmer insists the UK will not be dragged into the Iran war despite Trump’s threats to scrap a bilateral trade deal.

2026 Trump-Xi summit

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing this year as Trump’s trade war spurs US allies to look for new ties.

Banking & finance

Global funds fuel Hong Kong IPO rebound as investors rebalance China portfolios

AI, robotics and energy storage firms make up most of the record-high IPO pipeline in Hong Kong, says Chan.

HKEX CEO Bonnie Chan Yiting speaks at the Chinese New Year Market Open Celebration at HKEX in Central, on February 20. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong economy

Paul Chan backs Hong Kong to be world’s No 2 financial hub within 15 years

Finance chief says city’s strengths are its stable environment and strong growth.

Hong Kong retained its position as Asia’s top financial centre and ranked third globally. Photo: Jelly Tse
Donald Trump

King Charles to charm Trump on state visit overshadowed by US-UK rift

The British king’s first US state visit later this month takes on far greater significance amid tensions between Trump and Starmer.

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Science

Zhang Kai: why I left Yale for China at the peak of my career in life science

‘I started to rethink where I should do my research … so that I can fulfil my dreams and give more young people the chance to grow’.

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China energy security

Which countries are most vulnerable as US imposes Persian Gulf blockade?

Nomura says more than 90 per cent of the crude oil imported by Japan and the Philippines comes from the Middle East.

A customer at a petrol station in London on Monday. Photo: EPA
France

French minister seeks ban of Kanye West concert in Marseille

West, 48, has been heavily criticised for making antisemitic remarks and voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler.

Kanye West performs at Hollywood Park Grounds in 2024, in Inglewood, California. Photo: TNS
US-China relations

Why the US may need more than just fixing gaps to rival China on rare earths

Washington’s mining ambitions may be complicated by the erosion of industrial know-how and a weak education pipeline, experts say.

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Ukraine war

‘Failing to help’: Ex-UK PM Boris Johnson criticises ‘timidity’ over Ukraine

Johnson’s three-day trip to Ukraine is the subject of a feature-length documentary called ‘Into The Kill Zone’.

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Crime

‘Failure’: UK murder of 3 girls should have been prevented, says inquiry

Agencies did not fully ‘take ownership of the risk’ while teenage killer’s parents bore ‘significant responsibility’ too.

A crime cordon in Southport, England, in July 2024 following a knife attack by a teenager. Three little girls died and ten people were injured. Photo: AFP
Banking & finance

HSBC stays the course in the Middle East despite war

The bank will continue to invest in the UAE, alongside India, China and Singapore, says Surendra Rosha, co-CEO for Asia and the Middle East.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong bets on 36-fold surge in computing power to win global AI hub race

Chief Executive John Lee underlines city’s infrastructure road map as key driver of bid to boost computing power and AI development.

Japan

‘Not a reliable ally’: Japan eyes Nato as Trump erodes faith in US guarantees

Tokyo and the transatlantic security alliance have a shared problem: what happens if the US walks away?

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Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte stands in front of Japanese and Nato flags during a visit to Tokyo in April last year. Photo: AFP
Fame and celebrity

Who is The Traitors’ Maura Higgins – and why is everyone obsessed with her?

The Irish reality star was in The Traitors Season 4, Love Island and I’m a Celebrity – and may have Disney and The Bachelorette gigs in the works.

Irish reality TV star Maura Higgins has been the talk of the town lately. Photo: AP
China-Africa relations

Is this Kenyan rail project a model for Chinese and Western firms in Africa?

The Nairobi Railway City project is being built by Chinese contractor but Britain is helping to provide the funding.

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Royalty

Meet Queen Elizabeth’s youngest grandchild, James, who was at Easter service

James, Earl of Wessex, was seen mingling with Kate Middleton at Windsor Castle this weekend – alongside King Charles and Prince William.

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump critique pauses UK handover of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

The Labour government will not include legislation supporting the handover in its parliamentary agenda without support from Washington.

President Donald Trump conducts a news conference in the White House briefing room about the war in Iran, in Washington, US on Monday. Photo: TNS
Hong Kong stock market

Can Hong Kong’s listing reform 2.0 win over innovative firms?

The reforms enhance the city’s appeal for AI, biotech and other firms by slashing the market cap threshold and enabling confidential filings.

Illustration by Henry Wong
Japan

Japan’s Middle East oil habit gets an Iran war reality check

Almost all of Japan’s oil comes from the Middle East. A closed strait turned that dependence into a trap.

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Fashion

This new exhibition pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth’s style legacy

The landmark event in The King’s Gallery celebrates the late monarch’s 100th birthday, features 200 rare garments, designer tributes and royal artefacts – and opens today.

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