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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
People light candles near the sealed Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland on Friday where a devastating fire left 40 dead and dozens injured during the New Year celebrations. Photo; AP
Africa

Owner of Swiss bar where New Year fire killed 40 insists safety norms followed

‘Everything was done according to the regulations,’ Jacques Moretti, a Frenchman who manages the Le Constellation bar, told local media.

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Anthony Joshua

Driver in fatal Anthony Joshua car crash charged with dangerous driving

US-China relations

Chinese public warms to US while strongly backing Beijing’s trade stance: survey

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Ukraine war

Russia claims Ukrainian drone strike kills 24 in occupied Kherson

Moscow accuses Kyiv of New Year’s Eve attack on civilians as diplomats scramble to save fragile peace talks.

Flames and smoke rise after a reported Ukrainian drone strike on a hotel and cafe in Russian-controlled Khorly, Kherson Region on Thursday. Photo: Governor of Kherson Region Vladimir Saldo via Telegram/Reuters
China trade

China’s January 1 silver curbs to deepen global crunch amid volatility: analysts

Beijing’s new export-licensing system seen squeezing foreign buyers, pushing price towards US$100 an ounce; Elon Musk joins warning chorus.

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Women and gender

‘So furious’: UK’s Queen Camilla describes assault by man on train

She responded by removing a shoe and using it to hit her attacker in the genitals.

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China food security

Opinion | Be a potato: the lesson of the resilient staple resonates as 2026 approaches

A decade on, the humble tuber’s public adoption remains an elusive goal for China’s planners and yet it offers a lesson for uncertain times.

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The Potato Eaters, considered Vincent Van Gogh’s first masterpiece, delivers a powerful social statement with its depiction of honest peasant life. Photo: Getty Images
France

Eurostar to resume services after Channel Tunnel power glitch sparks travel chaos

A power issue halted services between London and Europe, stranding travellers and causing disruption during the busy run-up to New Year.

France

‘No photos of kids’: George and Amal Clooney become French citizens for privacy

Seeking a life away from Hollywood’s glare, the Clooneys and their twins leave Los Angeles for France’s privacy laws and quiet estate life.

SCMP Highlights

Rise of Peranakan Chinese networks, Malaysian ex-PM jailed: 7 Asia highlights

From Indonesia fuming over flag stunt to Duterte’s drug war verdict upheld, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

The Long San Tong Khoo Kongsi clanhouse in Penang. Photo: Ushar Daniele
Keir Starmer

Actor Idris Elba, ice legends Torvill and Dean recognised in UK honours

New Year UK honours are awarded for contributions in areas such as government, academia, the arts and sports.

Idris Elba was awarded a knighthood for his anti-knife-crime campaigning with young people. Photo Invision/AP
Fifa

Editorial | Pricing out most fans harmful to World Cup’s football festival

Elite sporting events must not become the preserve of the privileged, and Fifa must explore ways of creating affordable ticketing options.

Keir Starmer

Starmer under fire for activist’s return from Egypt as old posts resurface

Prime minister faces criticism from Jewish groups and Britain’s opposition over Alaa Abdel-Fattah’s return to the UK.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

5,000 Hong Kong workers idle as new scaffold net safety regime hits 200 projects

Development Bureau says it will consider amending a law to strengthen supervision over external works involved in major building repairs.

Scaffolding mesh is cleared from a building in Cheung Sha Wan. Photo: Jelly Tse
Obituaries

The Cure guitarist and keyboard player Perry Bamonte dies aged 65

Bamonte, who became a full member of The Cure in 1990, was initially part of the British Goth rock band’s road crew from 1984.

Perry Bamonte of The Cure performs at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, California in May 2023. Bamonte has died aged 65, the British band said on Friday. Photo: Getty Images North America / AFP
King Charles III

Britain’s King Charles calls for ‘reconciliation’ in Christmas speech

UK monarch praises the courage of those who risked their lives for others during his fourth Christmas broadcast as king.

Architecture and design

London-based designer Faye Toogood on her humanist, playful approach

Her multidisciplinary practice designed the commercially successful Roly Poly chair and Baker trousers, now seen as Toogood’s signatures.

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Donald Trump

Jimmy Kimmel takes aim at Trump in ‘alternative Christmas message’ to UK

Talk show host and Trump foe Kimmel tells UK TV that ‘tyranny is booming’ in the US.

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Comedian Jimmy Kimmel speaks at a conference in Los Angeles in October. Photo: AFP
Royalty

Daughters of King Charles’ brother Andrew join royals for Christmas service

Their father, who was recently stripped of his titles ‍over ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was absent from the church.

Bangladesh

Aspiring Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman welcomed home after 17 years abroad

The political heavyweight is to lead the BNP through an election after ex-premier Sheikh Hasina’s exit following a student-led uprising.

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Indonesia

Red, white and Blue: Indonesia lodges complaint over porn star’s flag stunt

Bonnie Blue’s run-in with Indonesia began earlier this month when she was arrested for making pornographic content in a Bali studio.

Bonnie Blue pins the Indonesian flag to the back of her dress, causing it to drag on the ground. Photo: Instagram
Africa

Algeria brands French colonisation a crime, demands reparations, apology

France’s rule over Algeria from 1830 until 1962 remains a sore spot in relations between the two countries.

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French troops in Algiers in 1956. The North African nation of Algeria suffered some of the most brutal forms of colonial rule. Photo: AP
Social media

Letters | To kick our social media habit, let’s start with the adults

Readers discuss the missing link in efforts to restrict screen time for children, concern over the Jimmy Lai trial and verdict, and rampant illegal parking in Hong Kong.

Sexual harassment and assault

Russell Brand charged with new counts of rape, sexual assault in UK

The new charges relate to ⁠two women and follow five charges made in April involving four other women.

Social media

US hits 5 Europeans with visa bans in ‘censorship’ row

Former EU commissioner is among those barred as the US targets individuals it says are involved in censoring US social media platforms.

The most high-profile target was French ‌former business executive Thierry Breton, who served as the European commissioner. Photo: dpa
US-China trade war

Explainer | Will US-led ‘Pax Silica’ be a new dawn for the international AI supply chain?

Trump administration aims for deeper technology cooperation on new AI infrastructure with allies.

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Representatives of the “Pax Silica” signatories hold signed documents at a summit held in Washington on December 12. The initiative is America’s new vision for the international AI supply chain. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
Islamic militancy

2 men found guilty of UK plot to kill hundreds in Jewish community

Had the plan come off, it would have resulted in ‘one of, if not the, deadliest terrorist attack in UK history’, say counterterrorism police.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Explainer | As ‘super flu’ spreads worldwide, how can Hongkongers protect against it?

Researchers find 82.8 per cent of flu specimens collected from Queen Mary Hospital between December 6 and 11 were subclade K.

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