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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
China has been gradually diversifying its foreign exchange reserves away from holdings of sovereign American debt. Photo: dpa
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

My Life

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

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.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during the weekly session of Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons in London on Wednesday. Photo: Handout / PRU / AFP
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.

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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.

Surendra Rosha, co-CEO for Asia and the Middle East at HSBC. Photo: Jonathan Wong
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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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.

Royalty

Prince Harry sued by African charity he set up to honour Princess Diana

The British royal, who faces a defamation suit, had stepped down as a patron of Sentebale last year after disagreements over fundraising.

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Britain’s Prince Harry leaves High Court in London, Britain in January. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Girl, 9, in a critical condition with meningococcal infection after holiday in Japan

Girl, who has an underlying illness, visited Japan in a tour group with her family.

The girl is in the intensive care unit at Princess Margaret Hospital. Photo: May Tse
Crime

Man jailed for killing ‘ruthlessly’ abused wife who jumped from Scottish bridge

Lee Milne also grabbed Kimberley by the neck, choked her, dragged her around, punched her and knocked her unconscious.

France

Macron woos Trump to G7 summit with French palace dinner. Will he bite?

An official said the French leader was ‘begging’ the US president to attend the June meeting.

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