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China Executes 11 Members of Myanmar Scam Mafia
China executed 11 members of a notorious mafia family that operated scam centers in Myanmar along its northeastern border, state media reported. The Ming family members were sentenced in September 2025 for crimes including homicide, illegal detention, fraud, and operating gambling dens, according to a court in China's Zhejiang province.
The Mings were part of a network of clans that transformed Laukkaing, a previously impoverished town, into a hub for casinos and red-light districts, according to the BBC. Their criminal empire collapsed in 2023 when they were detained and handed over to China by ethnic militias.
UK Explores Closer Ties with China Amidst Global Tensions
In other international news, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, signaling a potential warming of relations between the two countries. Starmer's visit, the first by a British leader since Theresa May in 2018, is driven by a desire to secure business opportunities to revitalize the UK's economy, according to the New York Times. Xi Jinping is seeking to strengthen ties with a key American ally amidst increasing tensions with the United States. Both leaders expressed a desire to move their relationship out of a "years-long ice age," driven by coinciding needs to navigate an increasingly volatile Washington, the NY Times reported. Starmer views warmer ties as a pragmatic gamble that will bring more growth for his country. Xi Jinping sees Britain's overture as a way for Beijing to demonstrate that it remains an essential partner for the West, regardless of Washington's efforts to isolate it.
Iran Experiences Controlled Return of Internet Access
Meanwhile, in Iran, some citizens are regaining internet access after a near three-week shutdown, but access appears to be tightly controlled, according to BBC Persian. The country cut off internet access on January 8th, in what is widely viewed as an attempt to suppress information about a government crackdown on protesters. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the internet was blocked in response to "terrorist operations." While some internet access has returned, independent analysis suggests that much of the country remains effectively cut off from the outside world.
Driverless Taxis to Potentially Launch in UK
In technology news, Waymo, the US driverless car firm, hopes to launch a robotaxi service in London as early as September, according to BBC Technology. The UK government plans to change regulations in the second half of 2026 to enable driverless taxis to operate in the city, but has not provided a specific date. Waymo will launch a pilot service in April. Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood stated, "We're supporting Waymo and other operators through our passenger pilots, and pro-innovation regulations to make self-driving cars a reality on British roads."
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