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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
Chinese researchers have envisaged how uncrewed surface vessels could patrol distant waters and around near-sea islands and reefs. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

Can AI-assisted unmanned vessels be Beijing’s answer to South China Sea patrols?

Near-silent autonomous surveillance vessels that can keep going for months on end recommended for Chinese maritime enforcement.

Banking & finance

Hong Kong regulator now a ‘collection agent’ for wronged investors

Vietnam

Beyond bamboo: Vietnam’s To Lam mounts a diplomacy offensive

Mainland China

Being Chinese | How to deal with this ‘very Chinese time’ in Western lives

The question is not whether outsiders are getting China or Chinese culture right, but what we choose to do with their attention.

Foreign tourists in traditional Chinese costumes take photos near the Forbidden City in Beijing on April 16. Photo: AP
2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump holds his fire: China state visit reveals diplomatic turn on social media

Just a handful of online posts from US president contrast with the flurry during his most recent state visits to the UK and Japan.

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The Philippines

Western powers ramp up support for Philippines’ Luzon economic hub

Eight more countries will invest in the project as they accelerate regional trade diversification in sectors ranging from AI to energy.

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Energy

Turning over a new leaf: why UK’s green mandate is a win for Asia

The Green Party’s record-breaking gains in UK council elections are a sign voters are taking climate change seriously, analysts say.

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Members of the Green Party celebrate a win in Bellingham in south London on May 9. Photo: EPA
Keir Starmer

‘King of the North’ takes first step to challenge UK’s Starmer

UK lawmaker resigns his seat, clearing a path for leadership challenger Andy Burnham.

Japan

Why Japan’s ruling party is pushing for 5% military spending

The ruling party is expected to debate raising outlays to as much as 5 per cent of GDP, in line with that of many Nato members.

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Keir Starmer

UK health minister quits, calls for leadership contest to oust PM Starmer

Health Minister Wes Streeting is the first senior minister to quit after days of calls by Labour lawmakers for Starmer to step down.

Sunlight shines on 10 Downing Street in central London on Thursday. Britain’s Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a potential rival to Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced his resignation on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Crime

Bodies of 3 women recovered from the sea off UK city

The coastguard is completing an ‘extensive search of the water’, but the force is not searching for anyone else.

Sussex Police announced the bodies of three women were recovered from the sea at Brighton Palace Pier, early on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
France

France lifts cruise lockdown after outbreak scare, as stomach bug blamed

Authorities rule out a link to the deadly hantavirus as asymptomatic passengers are cleared to disembark in Bordeaux.

Keir Starmer

UK PM’s biggest political challenge overshadows King’s speech

According to reports, Health Minister Wes Streeting was preparing to resign as early as Thursday to challenge Starmer.

Keir Starmer

Who could replace Starmer as UK prime minister?

As rebellion reaches a fever pitch, here’s some names in the frame if Keir Starmer is forced out.

A betting company’s odds on contenders to be the next leader of Britain’s Labour Party. Photo: AFP
On Our Radar

Explore art’s future at Hong Kong’s Affordable Art Fair this May

Discover affordable art, Cantopop-inspired installations, British talent and hands-on workshops at Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong 2026 – where accessibility meets creativity.

A visitor takes in Kristina Sretkova’s 3D-effect Universal Love at last year’s edition of the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong Photo: Dickson Lee
Keir Starmer

UK’s Starmer to ‘get on with governing’, defies calls to quit

At a meeting of his cabinet, there was no official move to trigger a leadership contest even as three junior ministers quit.

Fame and celebrity

Meet Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who plays Alamo in Euphoria

The British actor had a turbulent upbringing that included joining a skinhead gang and making a suicide attempt, before achieving Hollywood stardom.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Trump has few cards to play against Iran and in China

The impasse over the Strait of Hormuz is a long chess game across multiple arenas, not easily solved by a naval blockade or a mere poker bluff.

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People walk past an anti-US billboard, depicting President Donald Trump and the Strait of Hormuz, in Tehran on May 11. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
Keir Starmer

Starmer is fighting to stay in power. Here’s what could happen

Unlike the Conservative Party, which has a history of getting rid of leaders, Labour does not have that muscle memory. Could that change soon?

Japan

Japan’s ‘cutest’ envoy shows Britons how to love Britain

‘He has made me feel more proud to be British than any politician or any figure since I was born,’ a content creator says.

Banking & finance

Investors bet CK Hutchison is exiting a mature sector at right time – once again

Disposal of VodafoneThree adds to Li family’s record of cycle-savvy moves, with investors weighing where war chest will flow next.

For decades, the Li family, which controls CK Hutchison, has built a reputation for exiting businesses near the top of market cycles, according to analysts. Photo: Sam Tsang
European Union

UK targets Russian ‘information warfare’ with new sanctions

Sanctions package hits 85 people and entities, two-thirds of them related to alleged Russian propaganda operations.

Russian honour guards adjust their uniforms in a mirror at the Kremlin. The UK has sanctioned 85 individuals and entities accused of Kremlin-funded 'information warfare'. Photo: AFP
China-UK relations

Will Starmer’s election woes force a shake-up in the UK’s ties with China?

British prime minister’s dwindling authority may see him come under pressure to shift policies, Chinese experts say.

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Keir Starmer

UK’s Starmer under renewed pressure to quit as revolt grows

Home secretary and deputy PM reportedly join calls for a leadership transition as several aides resign.

Hantavirus

More passengers from hantavirus-hit cruise ship test positive

Two passengers, French and American, test positive as governments take extensive precautions for evacuees.

A bus transporting repatriated British nationals from the MV Hondius as they arrive at Arrowe Park Hospital in Birkenhead, Britain. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui tops Asia luxury retail rents – but loses global crown

City’s luxury retail shows resilience with rising tourist arrivals and new store openings despite global slowdown, according to Savills.

Shoppers queue and snap photos in Tsim Sha Tsui in early May. Photo: Jelly Tse
Artificial intelligence

China ranks third in global index for AI competitiveness in life sciences

China listed behind only the US and UK, reflecting the country’s ‘major scale’ in AI, biotechnology and talent, says data consortium.

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Disease

UK paratroopers jump onto remote Atlantic island for hantavirus mission

UK forces carry out first-ever deployment of medical personnel via parachute to reach isolated Tristan da Cunha.

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