Our New Column: News Afternoon Tea
Translated from the Chinese post on the Wechat platform of British Consulate in Chongqing
It might be a little late for afternoon tea today — but after a busy week, it’s finally time to unwind. Pour yourself a cup, sit back, and enjoy some of the most interesting and entertaining news from the UK this week ☕️
1. Chinese Director Chloé Zhao Wins Golden Globe Awards
The film Hamnet, directed by Chinese filmmaker Chloé Zhao, has won Best Motion Picture (Drama) and Best Actress at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards. Zhao has now become the only Chinese female director in Golden Globe history to win Best Picture twice.
Steven Spielberg once commented on Zhao’s work:
“When you watch her films, you feel a heartbeat — like the earth itself is trembling.”
For many Chinese audiences, Zhao is also known as the stepdaughter of actress Song Dandan.
At the age of 16, Zhao moved to the UK to attend a private boarding school in London. She spent some of her most formative teenage years there. Though she initially spoke little English, her determination and resilience helped her adapt and thrive. She later moved to Los Angeles, where she began her journey as a director.
2. Legendary Queen Frontman’s London Home Goes on Sale
Have you heard We Will Rock You? The iconic anthem was created by the band Queen. Their legendary frontman Freddie Mercury passed away in 1991.
Recently, his London home has been listed for sale for the first time, with an asking price exceeding £30 million. The garden villa is located in affluent Kensington. Freddie fell in love with the house at first sight and lived there until his death.
He left the property to his former fiancée and lifelong confidante Mary Austin. Now 72, she said in a statement:
“This house has been the most glorious memory box, because every room is filled with love and warmth… It is time to pass this sense of peace on to someone else.”
Freddie personally designed the interiors — painting the dining room his favourite yellow, and creating a dramatic double-height living room with a surrounding gallery that served as both a library and bar, overlooking his piano below.
3. “Are You Dead Yet?” App Goes Viral in Europe
Have you checked in on “Are You Dead Yet?” today?
An app created by several young Chinese developers has recently gone viral in Europe.
The BBC described it as “a gloomy-sounding new app sweeping China,” while The Independent noted that it serves as a stark reminder that modern life can feel bleak for both young and old — adding that “the app gives millions of people living alone a sense of security.”
4. Britons Are Changing Their Travel Habits
New Year travel season is here — and Britons are quietly changing the way they travel.
According to Daily Mail, fewer people are eating at airports, as rising prices and living costs mean travellers are increasingly bringing their own food to save money.
Many are also packing lighter to avoid baggage fees, with strong demand for tickets that allow hand luggage only. Travel experts say this trend is especially noticeable in January, as people become more cautious with spending after an expensive Christmas.
5. A London Bookshop Named One of the World’s Best
Another London bookshop has made the global spotlight. Cultured Magazine recently named Donlon Books among the world’s 11 best independent bookshops.
Founded in 2008 at Broadway Market, the shop regularly hosts book launches, film screenings, and readings.
London is home to hundreds of bookshops, including the Edwardian-style Daunt Books, Europe’s largest bookshop Waterstones Piccadilly, and the famous Notting Hill Bookshop, made iconic by the film Notting Hill.
6. Crime Drama Chaos of Youth Sweeps Four Awards
At the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, the British teen crime drama Chaos of Youth won four major awards.
Shot largely in a single continuous take, the series centres on 13-year-old Jamie, accused of fatally stabbing a female classmate. The drama explores the radicalisation of young men and the social forces behind it.
Sixteen-year-old British actor Owen Cooper won Best Supporting Actor (TV) for his performance, becoming the youngest actor ever to receive an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a Critics’ Choice Award — setting a new record.
7. A Three-Person Island Is Hiring
Would you move to an island with just three residents?
Bardsey Island, off the coast of North Wales, is home to around 200 grey seals, 300 sheep, and just three people — and it’s currently recruiting.
The island is Europe’s first Dark Sky Sanctuary and attracts thousands of visitors each year. It is also known as the “Island of 20,000 Saints”. Legend has it that 20,000 saints are buried there. In the 12th century, Pope Callixtus II declared that three pilgrimages to Bardsey were equivalent to one pilgrimage to Rome, and medieval poets called it the “Gateway to Heaven”.
There are now three vacancies, including a communications officer and a visitor services manager. Successful applicants will live and work on the island, with an annual salary of around £28,000. If you dream of leaving the nine-to-five behind for island life, this could be your chance.
8. “Always Snape”: Ten Years Since Alan Rickman’s Passing
On 14 January 2016, legendary British actor Alan Rickman passed away from cancer. His portrayal of Professor Snape in Harry Potter remains one of the most complex and beloved performances in cinema history.
On the tenth anniversary of his death, social media has once again filled with remembrance and affection.
9. Princess of Wales Shares Healing Birthday Video
To mark her 44th birthday, Catherine, Princess of Wales shared a short film titled Winter on social media, released by Kensington Palace.
Appearing without make-up, she walks through open landscapes and reflects on her two-year journey of cancer recovery.
Beginning in May 2025, the Spring, Summer, and Autumn chapters were released in sequence, exploring themes of rebirth and hope, abundance and connection, and reflection and letting go. Winter completes the series on her birthday. The film’s gentle visuals and reflections on nature and life have been widely praised online.
10. Limited-Time Online Screening of BAFTA Short Films
The British Council’s International Touring Programme, in partnership with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), is presenting an online screening of 2025/26 BAFTA-nominated and award-winning live-action and animated short films.
During the showcase, a selection of nominated works and category winners will be available to audiences in China via YiShu UK’s Weibo and WeChat accounts, as well as the British Embassy Cultural & Education Section’s official Bilibili channel.