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Ukraine launched British Storm Shadow missiles and its domestically produced long-range drones to hit several Russian oil and gas facilities, Ukrainian military and security officials said Thursday.Ukraine has previously used the British-made missiles ⁠to attack Russian industrial targets ⁠that it says help Moscow's war.The Ukrainian General Staff said that the air force used Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia's Rostov region."Multiple explosions were recorded. The target was hit," the General Staff said on the Telegram app Thursday.It said the refinery was one of the biggest oil product suppliers in southern Russia and was supplying diesel and jet fuel to the Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.Ukraine's SBU security service ⁠said that the locally made long-range drones hit oil product tanks in the Russian port of Temryuk in the Krasnodar region and a gas processing plant in Orenburg in southwestern Russia.The Orenburg gas processing plant, the largest facility of its kind in the world, is located about 1,400km (about 870 miles) from the Ukrainian border.In the Krasnodar region, Russian regional authorities said that two oil product tanks caught fire at the southern port of Temryuk after the drone attack.Flames covered an area of about 2,000sq ⁠m, authorities at the Krasnodar operational headquarters said on the Telegram app.As Russia's war in Ukraine approaches its four-year mark and diplomatic efforts to end it have so far failed to produce any tangible results, both Kyiv and Moscow have stepped up their drone and missile attacks on energy facilities.Kyiv has increased its strikes on Russia's oil refineries and other energy infrastructure since August as it seeks to cut Moscow's oil revenues, a key source of funding for its war effort.The Ukrainian General Staff also said that Ukrainian troops hit a military airfield in the Russian city ⁠of Maikop in the republic of Adygea in the North Caucasus region.

Hong Kong's oldest pro-democracy party has decided to disband, the group announced Sunday, after its members formally voted to dissolve the organisation and enter liquidation.The Democratic Party was founded in 1994, near the end of British colonial rule, when Hong Kong's leading liberal groups merged."Over these thirty years, we have taken part in and borne witness to the development and transformation of Hong Kong society, watching its systems and environment undergo one profound change after another," the party said in a statement. "Yet as the times have shifted, we now, with deep regret, must bring this chapter to a close."At Sunday's meeting, 117 out of 121 members voted for the group's liquidation, with the remaining four votes being blank ballots, Lo Kin-hei, the party's chair, told a news conference.He said that it was a "collective decision" made by party members, adding that it is the best way forward for them."We are deeply grateful to all the citizens who have walked with the Democratic Party for the past 30 years," Lo said.Former party leader Emily Lau reacted to the dissolution with dismay when leaving the meeting, telling reporters: "I don't understand why the Democratic Party would end up like this."" I find it very problematic," she said. "I think Beijing needs to provide an explanation."Lo said the disbandment was due to Hong Kong's "political environment", but declined to provide details of the constraints the party was facing.Senior party members previously told Reuters that they had been approached by Chinese officials or middlemen and told to disband or face severe consequences, including possible arrest.There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the Hong Kong Liaison Office, China's main representative body in Hong Kong.The Democratic Party's top concern was determining how the city would eventually elect its own leader and lawmakers through universal suffrage under China's "One Country, Two Systems" model.It said in its manifesto that "as part of the Chinese citizenry, we have the rights and obligations to participate in and comment on the affairs of China".Following Hong Kong's handover to China in 1997, the party became the most influential voice of opposition in the city's legislature and led peaceful street demonstrations.The disbandment decision indicated the regression of Hong Kong from being a liberal society into an "authoritarian society", said Yeung Sum, a former party leader who has served jail time.With the demise of Hong Kong's top pro-democracy parties, no candidate put forward a pro-democracy platform in the legislature election held this month – which critics pointed to as another sign of the city's slide towards authoritarianism.Yeung added that younger generations would feel frustrated if the political system went "backwards"."I think this kind of fighting for democracy will carry on, even though we got ourselves disbanded today," the 78-year-old said. "We won't die away. We won't fade away."Beijing tightened its grip on the Chinese finance hub after massive and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019.After the imposition of the national security law, the city's political opposition dwindled, with most democracy campaigners jailed or overseas.The party holds no elected seats after its lawmakers resigned en masse from the Legislative Council in 2020.Four party lawmakers were jailed last year for subversion under a Beijing-imposed national security law.Former party leader Albert Ho is behind bars pending trial for national security charges that could see him jailed for life.Hong Kong's second-largest opposition group, the Civic Party, closed its doors in 2023.Another party, the League of Social Democrats, announced its disbandment in June this year, citing "immense political pressure"."The Hong Kong government should be more open, they should accept more different kinds of opinions, even though there may be some opposition," Lo said Sunday. "But that is how the society works and that is how things progress." 

The British Embassy in Doha hosted its annual King’s Birthday Party Thursday. The celebration brought together senior representatives from Qatar and the UK to mark the enduring friendship between the two nations, while looking ahead to future collaboration across a range of sectors, a statement said.The evening reflected on the strong history of UK–Qatar relations and highlighted opportunities to expand partnerships in trade, defence, culture, education, and innovation.In his remarks, British ambassador Neerav Patel underscored the depth of the UK-Qatar relationship and the importance of people-to-people ties in sustaining it.“These people-to-people connections are the beating heart of our relationship. Through our work, friendships, creativity and commitment, we all help make this relationship thrive. We are proud of the living bridge between our countries.”The ambassador praised the quintessential role of Qatar in international diplomacy and global development under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and highlighted the great depth of cooperation with the UK across every major file.He also highlighted the launch of the British Community Foundation, a new non-profit initiative supporting the British community in Qatar and strengthening cultural exchange with Qatari society.This year’s theme invited guests to enjoy a journey 'From Tube to Tower,' showcasing iconic British motifs — from London red telephone boxes to classic fish and chips — bringing a slice of Britain to Doha, the statement added.

The Royal Grammar School Guildford Qatar (RGSGQ), one of the leading British international schools in Qatar, proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, marking a decade of nurturing the next generation of leaders and achievers within a vibrant, inclusive community. Since opening its doors in 2016, RGSGQ has carried forward more than 500 years of academic excellence from its parent school, the Royal Grammar School Guildford in the UK, while fostering an inclusive and forward-looking environment in Qatar. As part of a global family of schools spanning Dubai, Nanjing, Muscat, and most recently in Bengaluru, RGSGQ is united by enduring values of respect, scholarship, courage, inclusivity, integrity, and collaboration. Within this ethos, curiosity and character flourish—preparing students for both academic success and personal growth. Over the last ten years, RGSGQ has welcomed families from more than 40+ nationalities. The school delivers an enriched curriculum, combining a strong foundation in traditional academics with innovative teaching practices delivered by British-trained teachers that prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow. With smaller class sizes and a nurturing approach, the school ensures each child thrives, and feels supported and valued. Academic progress has been a hallmark of RGSGQ’s journey. Student achievements across IGCSEs, A Levels, and BTEC have consistently strengthened year after year. Graduates now study at major universities worldwide in disciplines such as medicine, engineering, business, aeronautics, and the arts. To honour the school’s 10th founding year, RGSGQ will host a series of celebratory events bringing together students, alumni, families, and staff. These occasions not only commemorate a successful decade but also reaffirm the school’s mission—to deliver an outstanding education that nurtures minds, builds character, and equips students to thrive in an ever-changing world. “This anniversary is not just about reflecting on how far we’ve come—it’s about celebrating the limitless opportunities ahead for our students. We are proud to carry the legacy of the Royal Grammar School Guildford as we continue shaping the leaders of tomorrow here in Qatar,” said Mrs Fiona Scott, Principal of RGSGQ. With a decade of distinction behind it, RGSGQ steps confidently into the future—committed to academic excellence, innovation, and community spirit.

The British government agreed a loan guarantee worth £1.5 billion ($2 billion) for Jaguar Land Rover to shore up its cash reserves and supply chain, the trade minister said Sunday, after a damaging recent cyberattack.JLR said on September 2 that it had been targeted by hackers, forcing it to suspend production at its UK factories.The automaker said on Thursday that its IT systems were partly back online as part of a "phased restart", but production would remain on pause until at least October 1.The government announced that it would back the company with a loan guarantee "expected to unlock up to £1.5 billion to give certainty to its supply chain".The move does not mean that the government will lend money directly to JLR, which is owned by India's Tata Motors.Instead, a government credit agency will provide the guarantee for a loan from a commercial bank that will be repaid over five years.Trade minister Peter Kyle said the guarantee "will help support the supply chain and protect skilled jobs in the West Midlands, Merseyside and throughout the UK"."This cyberattack was not only an assault on an iconic British brand, but on our world-leading automotive sector and the men and women whose livelihoods depend on it," he said.JLR has said its partial systems restart was helping to clear a backlog of payments to its suppliers, after unions warned that some were at risk of collapse due to the disruption.Cyber gangs have increasingly targeted luxury brands and retailers, including Britain's Marks and Spencer, Harrods and the Co-op food chain.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Friday hailed the "vital role" played by Qatar in winning the release of a British couple held by Taliban authorities in Afghanistan.He welcomed the release of Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife, Barbie, 76, who had been arrested in February, saying: "This long-awaited news will come as a huge relief to them and their family.""I want to pay tribute to the vital role played by Qatar," including His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, "in securing their freedom", Starmer added in a statement.