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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
An older photo of the iconic Major Oak tree, the legendary 1,200-year-old hideout of Robin Hood. Photo: AP
History

1,200-year-old Sherwood Forest tree, linked to Robin Hood legend, is dead

Conservationists say the Major Oak failed to sprout leaves after many years of soil compression caused by visiting fans.

Japan

Japan seeks Boeing alliance to rival China in aviation race

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Lucia Loi, on-and-off partner of football star Marcus Rashford

Artificial intelligence

Alibaba Cloud expands in France amid Europe’s data sovereignty push

Opening of Paris hub is a response to increased demand, says the China tech giant as it looks to roll out agentic AI services across Europe.

The Champs-Elysees at night near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Alibaba Cloud announced today that it has launched its first data centres in France. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime

Top operative of China-born tycoon Chen Zhi extradited from Cambodia

Mainland police say Liu Ren founded group that operated multiple online gambling platforms and aggressively solicited Chinese citizens.

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US-China relations

Opinion | The West must reckon with the reality of China’s rise

Beijing’s emergence as a major power must be navigated with wisdom and respect, rather than framed as a threat that needs to be contained.

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka arrests son of ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa for corruption

Yoshitha Rajapaksa is accused of tapping state funds for overseas training during his career as a naval officer.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa arrives at the Hulftsdorp Chief Magistrate’s Court in Colombo on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Fame and celebrity

6 famous Eton College alums, from Prince Harry to Tom Hiddleston

Besides Princess Diana’s sons William and Harry, actors Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hiddleston, and authors George Orwell and Ian Fleming, were all educated at the famous boarding school.

Keir Starmer

New UK party emerges as a threat to Farage. And, it’s even more far-right

Rupert Lowe’s fringe group threatens Reform’s momentum ahead of a key parliamentary test.

G7

Cigarettes, football and Greenland: G7 hot mics reveal world leaders’ banter

Unfiltered audio captures off-the-cuff conversations at the G7 summit in France.

US President Donald Trump stands among fellow world leaders as they gather for a family photo at the G7 summit. Photo: Reuters
Science

Why a Chinese study on subsea supercurrents is alarming global tech networks

A team led by Tsinghua University says it has built a framework that could better predict and manage these powerful flows.

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The Xiaolangdi Reservoir on China’s sediment-laden Yellow River was a natural laboratory for the researchers. Photo: Xinhua
Fame and celebrity

Meet Megan Davison, wife of England’s World Cup goalkeeper Jordan Pickford

The pair were teenage sweethearts and at the 2018 World Cup, she flashed a US$669,000 engagement ring – which she later had to get cut off her finger.

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Jewellery

Chokers are back – and the best-dressed men in Hollywood are all in

The close-fitting necklace – as seen on Pharrell Williams at the Grammys – is having a men’s jewellery moment.

Diplomacy

Russian warship fires warning shots near yacht in English Channel

The frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired on a path near the UK-registered vessel just outside British waters.

The Russian navy frigate Admiral Grigorovich in an undated image. Photo: UK Ministry of Defence via dpa
US-China tech war

China’s AI outpaces global rivals but trails in trust, survey shows

Poll by London-based consultancy shows that more than 90% of respondents believe AI will transform the world – but fears persist.

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Many people believe that China’s AI models are outpacing that of the US and leading the global tech race, according to a new poll by London-based consultancy Public First. Photo: Shutterstock
China economy

Opinion | The real danger in Western peddling of the China overcapacity myth

Protectionism will only slow the green energy transition and make the technologies of the future unaffordable for those most in need.

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US, Israel war on Iran

No victory, no defeat: Iran war pauses with a fragile freeze

Thousands dead, hundreds of billions lost and an agreement many analysts expect to collapse. The Iran ceasefire, explained.

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Japan

Takaichi’s G7 mission: bridge Trump-bloc divides, polish ‘Iron Lady’ image

The Japanese leader also proposed a strategic mineral stockpiling plan during the summit to counter China and boost Tokyo’s global role.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the G7 summit in Evian, France, on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Taiwan’s website for intelligence tips from mainland China spurs debate

‘Contact window’ launched for political, military, economic and social intelligence but critics say disinformation will be a challenge.

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China economy

Opinion | Can Hong Kong break London’s maritime insurance grip?

An alternative system is needed to end Washington and London’s ability to weaponise maritime insurance for their geopolitical ends.

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War and conflict

UK charges Indian captain of suspected Russian shadow tanker seized in Channel

Ajay Pant is alleged to have contravened sanctions by supplying or delivering ‘prohibited oil / oil products from Russia to a third country’.

The CMR Smyrtos sailing under a false Cameroonian flag in the English Channel off the coast of the UK. Photo: Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) / AFP
Banking & finance

The View | What Japanese outbound investment says about Asia’s top property market

While the drivers behind Tokyo’s outbound capital flow accentuate challenges in the domestic market, Japanese real estate still shows signs of promise.

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A real estate agent presents the view from a property in Niseko, Hokkaido prefecture, Japan, on February 20. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan, Italy to boost tech, critical minerals cooperation

The nations seek closer ties, particularly on supply chains amid concerns about over-reliance on China for critical minerals.

Keir Starmer

London court convicts 2 men of plot to torch houses and car linked to UK PM

A Russian-speaking figure who went by the name ‘El Money’ offered one of the men money through Telegram to torch the properties.

Social media

UK bans under 16s from social media apps including TikTok, YouTube

The move makes the UK part of a growing global movement to tighten online safety for children.

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Students from Ricards Lodge and Rutlish High Schools in Wimbledon, the UK, look at their mobile phones during an interview and discussion about their thoughts on a social media ban for under 16s. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

The US and Iran have signed a ‘great deal’. So what happens now?

Memorandum of understanding expected to open pathway for talks on most contentious issues, including nuclear programme and sanctions.

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A man stops at a newsstand in Islamabad, Pakistan on Sunday, ahead of the expected US-Iran peace deal signing. Photo: Reuters
Tommy Robinson

UK anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson says he was detained under terrorism laws

Police said a man in his 40s had been arrested under the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act as he flew back to Britain from Russia.

Ukraine war

Putin and Zelensky hold calls with Trump as US president marks 80th birthday

Trump said ending the Ukraine war could open the door to a ‘new quality of US-Russian relations’, according to a Russian presidential aide.

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