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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 view of the City of London skyline. UK Power Networks covers 8.3 million consumers in London, southeastern and eastern England. Photo: Reuters
Mergers & Acquisitions

CK group agrees to sell UK electricity operator for US$14.2 billion

Consortium has agreed to sell its interest in UK Power Networks to French multinational Engie.

US-China trade war

US warns of deep distrust even as officials seek stable China ties for summit

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SFC

SFC moves to freeze assets of 3 insider traders who have left Hong Kong

China-EU relations

EU too slow to act as China rewrites global trade rules, trade chief Sefcovic warns

Commissioner calls for faster trade probes and WTO reform as Brussels confronts overcapacity, subsidies and a US$424 billion deficit.

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Maros Sefcovic said Brussels is reviewing trade defence tools and monitoring imports of Chinese plug-in hybrid vehicles. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Russia accuses Ukraine of seeking nuclear arms with help from UK and France

Russia says the western allies believe Ukraine could end the war on more favourable terms if it had a dirty bomb, an allegation Kyiv denies.

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Jeffrey Epstein

UK eyes releasing files on ‘arrogant’ Andrew to clean away Epstein ‘stain’

The ex-prince is accused of sharing sensitive documents with the convicted paedophile during his time as trade envoy.

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Banking & finance

Why China’s rise as a ‘financial superpower’ could depend on Hong Kong

From the yuan’s growth as a global currency to IPO funding to tokenisation, the city is a linchpin in Beijing’s ambitions.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Science

World-leading EV motor expert joins Hong Kong PolyU after 38 years in Britain

Permanent magnets scientist Zhu Ziqiang is continuing his globally renowned research in his new role.

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Banking & finance

Standard Chartered’s 2025 profit jumps 16% buoyed by wealth management growth

The London-based bank’s underlying pre-tax profit stood at US$7.9 billion last year, versus a gain of US$6.8 billion in 2024.

London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week 2026: Burberry pays homage to its British heritage

Drawing in a star-studded audience from Stray Kids’ Seungmin to Olivia Dean and Kate Moss, the brand focused on its outerwear roots.

The rain-soaked runway at the Burberry fall/winter 2026 show. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong courts

Opinion | A speedy pardon in the Jimmy Lai case is unlikely

Foreign governments campaigning for the former media boss’ release should thoroughly look into the nuances of the case as the legal process plays out.

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Correctional Services Department vehicles leave the West Kowloon Court after former media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison for violating the national security law, on February 9. Photo: Eugene Lee
Racism and other prejudice

Bafta and BBC apologise for racial slur during awards show

Tourette’s campaigner ‘mortified’ after he shouted a racial slur at the Bafta Film Awards on Sunday night.

Peter Mandelson

Former UK ambassador Mandelson arrested after Epstein leaks

Peter Mandelson is being probed over allegations that he sent sensitive documents to Jeffrey Epstein.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong protests: former young offenders sent on mainland China exchange tours

Head of correctional authorities says expansion of existing scheme aims to boost patriotism and understanding of Chinese culture.

Inmates access computers during a media tour of a Hong Kong prison. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Food and Drinks

These Korean cafes in London are exploding in popularity. Here’s why

High-concept design meets casual dishes and innovative hot drinks at London’s Korean cafes, a popular model fuelled by social media.

An employee prepares matcha at Look Left by Yugu, a Korean cafe in London that serves matcha and Korean-fusion food. Photo: Instagram/lookleftbyyugu
London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week 2026: Simone Rocha, Erdem and Chet Lo

Erdem created a scrapbook of previous show inspirations, from Queen Elizabeth to Duchess Deborah Devonshire, while Simone Rocha drew on her signature pearls and ribbons.

Cinema

One Battle After Another triumphs with 6 Bafta prizes as Oscars loom

Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller dominates UK awards, while newcomer Robert Aramayo stuns Hollywood heavyweights for best actor.

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Crime

UK protection officers instructed to guard 2010 Epstein party: reports

Emails from the recently unsealed ‘Epstein files’ suggest UK officers were utilised at the sex offender’s New York residence.

A Manhattan residence once owned by Jeffrey Epstein. Photo: AFP
Fame and celebrity

Meet Charlotte Mellington, who plays young Catherine in Wuthering Heights

The 14-year-old stars in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of the Emily Brontë novel alongside Owen Cooper, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.

Germany

Germany’s ruling party seeks social media ban for children aged below 14

Spain, Greece, France, Britain and other countries are looking at similar social media bans or curbs.

My Take

My Take | Arrest shows that no one is above the law, not even a former British prince

While the monarchy’s future may depend on how King Charles handles the affair, every effort must be made to ensure the Epstein victims receive justice.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, is escorted by police after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Photo: Reuters
China's military weapons

Can China find a market for its fifth-generation J-35 warplanes?

Analysts are uncertain how much demand there will be for the fighter in the face of competition from the US F-35 or cheaper alternatives.

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A J-35A stealth fighter at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2024. Photo: Xinhua
Science

EU bans Chinese organisations from critical tech programmes, including AI, chips

Chinese space scientist Wu Ji doubts the policy will hurt China much and may instead ‘make Europe appear more isolated’.

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Ukraine war

5 European nations to make drones by tapping Ukraine’s war experience

The initiative by France, Poland, Germany, the UK and Italy comes after a spate of violations of Europe’s airspace involving rogue drones.

Nepal

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Archaeologists hope the newly discovered ruins at Siddhartha Gautam’s childhood palace will help secure Unesco World Heritage status.

Archaeologists at work in Tilaurakot, Lumbini, Nepal. Photo: Department of Archaeology, Nepal
Artificial intelligence

Opinion | Who will save the world from a US-China AI arms race?

Unrestrained military AI could doom us all. The window for a global middle-power alliance to rein in the superpowers is closing fast.

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The logo of the US AI company Anthropic. The US and China now face a prisoner’s dilemma in military AI. Photo: AFP
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Andrew’s ‘downfall’: how the viral photo of the disgraced ex-prince was taken

Photographer Phil Noble had already left the scene but raced back just in time to snap six shots – one of which was a winner.

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

UK to consider removing ex-prince Andrew from royal line of succession

Police, meanwhile, are urging Andrew’s former protection officers to come forward with any allegations of Epstein-related sex offences.

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