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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
A giant billboard in Tehran declaring: ‘The Strait of Hormuz remains closed’. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran fires on 3 ships in Strait of Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire

Iran state TV says two ships were attacked by the Revolutionary Guard and are in the force’s custody.

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Artificial intelligence

Anthropic’s Mythos is stoking cybersecurity fears. What does it mean for China?

Smoking and vaping

UK agrees ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2008

Hong Kong

Rosewood throws its weight behind female empowerment in hospitality

Rosewood Hong Kong hosts a weeklong residency for female professionals to write a new chapter in hospitality.

Mentors and mentees mingle during Rosewood Foundation’s Rise to the Table programme in March. Photo: courtesy Rosewood Foundation
US-China relations

Chinese student charged with illegally taking photos of US military planes

Student taken into custody after allegedly photographing sensitive military aircraft near key air force base in Nebraska during US road trip.

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Education in Hong Kong

Number of Hong Kong school leavers seeking education elsewhere hits 14-year low

Only 2,671 of 40,948 Form Six graduates pursuing full-time courses chose to study outside Hong Kong last year, the lowest level since 2012.

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Hong Kong politics

Former Hong Kong trade office chief contesting UK local elections for Reform

Former trade office director Lee Sheung-yuen bids for London council seat as compatriots seek re-election as Liberal Democrat candidates.

Lee Sheung-yuen, a former director of Hong Kong’s Economic and Trade Offices in Jakarta and Bangkok, is standing in local elections in Britain for the Reform UK party. Photo: Handout
Malaysia

World’s top condom maker to raise prices by up to 30% over Iran war

Condom demand has surged with rising freight costs and shipping delays leaving many of Karex’s customers with lower stockpiles.

Jeffrey Epstein

Ex-official says he felt pressure from UK PM’s office to approve Mandelson

The statement by Olly Robbins, the foreign ministry’s ex-top official, comes as the Mandelson row continues to put pressure on Keir ⁠Starmer.

Queen Elizabeth II

On This Day | A look back on Queen Elizabeth’s life, a century since her birth – SCMP archive

On this day 100 years ago, Queen Elizabeth II was born. Here’s a look back at SCMP’s coverage of some highlights from her life and reign.

Queen Elizabeth II inspects the Royal Gurkha Rifles in Central during her second visit to Hong Kong on October 21, 1986. File photo: Howard Walker
India

Iran firing on Indian oil tankers in Hormuz sparks ‘mistaken identity’ fears

Analysts say the episode reveals how easily military pressure and confusion in Hormuz can affect vessels not meant to be in the line of fire.

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Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
China energy security

Turning point? Clean energy met 100% of world’s new power needs in 2025: report

World has ‘firmly entered’ the clean growth era, with renewables overtaking coal as a power source for the first time last year, report finds.

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Keir Starmer

Starmer admits mistake appointing Epstein’s friend as ambassador as leadership teeters

UK prime minister, under pressure to resign by opponents, says officials did not tell him about Peter Mandelson’s failed vetting.

Artificial intelligence

Elon Musk summoned in France to show up over deepfakes on X, Grok probe

French prosecutors want to interview Musk over the dissemination of Holocaust denial and sexual deepfakes, and political interference.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk looks on as US President Donald Trump speaks at the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington in November. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Beyond Panama and Hormuz: 8 critical waterways under the global microscope

Amid US actions in the two major shipping channels, attention has shifted to the strategic importance and potential risks elsewhere.

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A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker travels through the Strait of Malacca off Malaysia on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Japan

‘Dragon Ball’ diplomacy: Japan’s Takaichi builds rapport with personal touches

Japan’s first female prime minister uses expressive gestures, thoughtful gifts and music to connect with foreign leaders.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Why Iran war is making petrol cars an unwanted luxury in Asia

From Nepal to Vietnam, soaring fuel costs are making petrol cars a luxury as Asia outpaces Europe in the race to go electric.

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Iran

UK police arrest 2 in connection with arson attack on synagogue in London

With 15 arrests so far, police are investigating possible cooperation between local ‘thugs for hire’ and a shadowy proxy group.

In the latest incident, a fire caused minor smoke damage to a room at Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow on Saturday night. Photo: AFP
Africa

In Angola, Pope Leo prays at shrine that was once a hub for slavery

First American pontiff recalls centuries of ‘suffering’ at site originally built by Portuguese colonisers.

Keir Starmer

Allies back Starmer as Mandelson saga leaves UK leader fighting for his job

The British PM will address Parliament to defend his job amid growing calls to resign over the Mandelson scandal.

China technology

My Take | Is China just an emerging electro-state or an electro-civilisation state?

Like every advancing society in the past, it sees the future by seizing new energy sources and their associated technologies.

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An aerial drone photo taken on July 3, 2025 shows the Xianshuiwo photovoltaic power plant in the Yi-Hui-Miao Autonomous County of Weining, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong sports

Hong Kong Sevens a treat for fans but local restaurants hungry for more trade

Over three action-packed days of rugby, a record 113,000 fans pass through the turnstiles.

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Fans are in high spirits in a packed South Stand. Photo: Elson Li
Crime

UK’s counterterror police probe another London arson attack

The fire in Hendon on Friday follows another arson attack on a synagogue in nearby Finchley on Wednesday.

Japan

Japan, Australia finalise contracts to deliver first 3 of planned frigates

This comes as Japan is set to ease rules on defence equipment exports, which have strict limits on exporting weapons with lethal capability.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iranians fear ‘pressure will 100% increase’ after US, Israeli strikes stop

Iranians are worried that an agreement with the US will free the regime to return to asserting control over its people.

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A man sits on a bench in a memorial, set for the students who were killed during a February 28 strike on a school in southern town of Minab, on April 12. Photo: AP
Banking & finance

Hong Kong wants to be a global gold vault. Does the Iran war create an opening?

Geopolitical risk is driving a rethink of where bullion is stored – and Hong Kong’s unique status is drawing attention.

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The Hong Kong Gold Exchange kicking off the Year of the Horse with its traditional Chinese New Year opening ceremony in Sheung Wan. Photo: SCMP
Japan

Japan ditches decades of arm export curbs as US reliability wavers

From drones for Ukraine to warships for Australia, ‘peace-loving’ Japan is fast pivoting towards arming the world.

China manufacturing

Iran war energy shock sees Chinese firms recalibrate overseas expansion plans

Businesses are rethinking short-term strategies as they adapt to rising costs and slowing growth across major economies.

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