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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
A Chinese team has drawn up a list of sensitive or globally competitive technology sectors that could benefit from export restrictions to the US and its allies. Illustration: Shutterstock
Science

China team drafts sanctions list targeting US, allies on 63 key tech sectors

Scientists have listed sensitive or globally competitive tech that may benefit from export restrictions to keep them out of foreign hands.

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English Premier League

6 stabbed in hours after Arsenal Premier League victory parade

Jeffrey Epstein

UK publishes new Mandelson files, raising heat on PM Starmer

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Food and Drinks

This Edinburgh Chinese takeaway is ‘dying’. Meet the daughter out to save it

Opened in 1997, China Star has weeks to turn things around before it sinks. Can the founder’s Instagrammer daughter Lisa He serve up success?

Lisa He with her mother Sophie at their family restaurant, China Star. The Edinburgh takeaway is months away from closure, but He’s viral social media post has brought lots of attention, and hope. Photo: courtesy of Lisa He
Fashion

4 graphic kids’ T-shirts featuring the sun, sand and sea

These branded, beach-ready cotton tees with vibrant graphics will add a fun touch of sun, sand and sea to kids’ summer wardrobes.

My Life

How wartime Hong Kong became a passion for historian and author Tony Banham

Born in a British WWII hut, Tony Banham’s journey spans aviation, computing and historical research, leading to acclaimed works on his adopted hometown’s tumultuous past.

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Singapore

Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?

In response to Hegseth’s call, participants at the Singapore forum say defence spending levels have to factor in different countries’ needs.

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Participants speak at the Shangri-La Dialogue defence forum in Singapore on Sunday. Photo: Singapore’s Ministry of Defence
China-UK relations

In sign of easing UK-China ties, British Foreign Secretary set for 3-day visit

Announcement comes days after delegations from both countries sat down at Shangri-La Dialogue to discuss concrete military engagement.

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International Property

Spain’s property market sees boost as Hongkongers, others, depart UK and Canada

As the cost of living rises, some Hongkongers living in the United Kingdom and Canada are set to move to Spain under the NLV scheme.

US-China relations

US agency goes back to the future to take on China’s Belt and Road Initiative

The US International Development Finance Corp mixes national security and foreign investment in its supply chain quest.

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The US International Development Finance Corp, an agency set up to rival China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has invested US$553 million to revamp the Lobito Atlantic Railway. Photo: AFP
Singapore

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

Singapore’s defence chief tells the Shangri-La Dialogue the pact aims to explore potential areas of collaboration and share best practices.

Singapore’s Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing (centre) with representatives from 16 partner countries during the launch of the Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday. Photo: Singapore’s Ministry of Defence
Banking & finance

Macroscope | Why bond yields are going up everywhere

Unlike stock markets, bond markets are signalling a more cognisant and mature appreciation of the state of government finances.

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US-Asean relations

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

US, Israel war on Iran

Why the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation isn’t Nato for Iran

Central Asian members in particular see bloc’s main value as preserving their sovereignty rather than enabling collective military action.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Canada

Canadian poison seller Kenneth Law pleads guilty to aiding suicides

The former chef could face 10 to 20 years in prison but will not stand trial for murder.

York Regional Police Inspector Simon James speaks about Kenneth Law’s case during a news conference in Mississauga, Ontario, in August 2023. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP
China-UK relations

Exclusive | Chinese, UK delegations discuss military engagement at Shangri-La Dialogue

Major General Meng Xiangqing invites British military officials to Xiangshan Forum and Zhuhai air show in China.

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China-South Korea relations

How will South Korea’s nuclear submarines alter balance near first island chain?

Analyst cites further Indo-Pacific nations eyeing SSNs, with potential to ‘tie together with the broader US alliance system in the region’.

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US-China relations

Hegseth at Asia defence gathering, China-EU tensions, Computex

This week: US allies wait to hear from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Singapore, EU works on China trade measures and Huawei announces chip advance. Next week: Computex is held in Taiwan, China reveals PMI, UK foreign minister visits Beijing, and more.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summit

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker, May 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing in search of trade deals, investments and greater market access in China.

Gold in Hong Kong

World Gold Council says diversification driving China’s growing reserves

China’s gold reserves have grown for 18 straight months, country’s central bank says.

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Bonds

China’s first green bond sale in Hong Kong aims to raise US$886 million

Country looking to issue offshore sovereign green bonds and tap global capital to invest in green development.

Wind turbines tower above a solar farm near Weifang, Shandong province, Photo: AP
Bangladesh

Policy pivot? India watchful as Bangladesh engages Pakistan

Analysts say the new government in Dhaka is trying a ‘balancing act’ in the region that could signal more businesslike ties with its neighbours.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government has moved to reset diplomatic ties with India after an extended period of strain. Photo: AFP
Gold in Hong Kong

Low-cost gold ETF launched as Hong Kong links bullion trading with blockchain

New fund gives retail investors physical gold access from US$45, with tokenised design primed for future trading on regulated platforms.

Hong Kong economy

Greater Bay Area firms ‘cautious’ about hiring but hybrid tech talent in demand

Study finds that 70 per cent of firms plan to add no more than 30 new hires over the next three to five years.

Celebrity children

Meet Victoria Beckham’s lookalike niece, Libby Adams

The rising fashionista, who’s been seen sporting Louis Vuitton and Cartier, was a bridesmaid at cousin Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s wedding.

Victoria Beckham’s niece, Libby Adams, just turned 28. Photos: @libbyyadams/Instagram
Climate change

Earth is hot and getting hotter: UN warns next 5 years likely to smash records

Climate agencies predict planet will experience a new hottest-ever year before 2031.

A parched field mirrors the rising global temperatures that the UN warns will shatter records over the next five years. Photo: AP
Hong Kong courts

Legal Tales | The evolution of Hong Kong’s independent common law

A recent Court of Final Appeal ruling confirms that the city’s common law is its very own.

Banking & finance

Hong Kong beats Switzerland as world’s largest offshore wealth hub, BCG finds

City tops cross-border wealth on IPO surge and mainland China inflows, as Singapore and US trail in consultancy’s global rankings.

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