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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 person carrying a bag walks by a Zara store in Plaza de Espana in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war is tearing polyester fabric of fast fashion – and shoes could be next

Conflict-driven oil price spikes are straining Asia’s polyester supply chain, threatening higher costs for firms like Zara and H&M.

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Human rights

UK bill to allow assisted dying fails as parliamentary time runs out

China-EU relations

‘It’s a tightrope’: why Europe’s wind industry faces a growing China dilemma

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Seoyeon Jang, who plays Eunice in Netflix’s Beef Season 2

The latest season of Beef stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan and Charles Melton – but what do you know about Seoyeon Jang, who plays Eunice?

Seoyeon Jang, who plays Eunice in Beef season two. Photos: Reuters, Netflix
Cathay Pacific

Man dies on Cathay Pacific flight from UK to Hong Kong

Police receive report about passenger, a cancer patient, shortly before flight from Manchester lands in Hong Kong.

Stock Connect

Brazil beckoned: China now has stock and bond ‘connect’ schemes in 5 regions

Strategic financial corridors now bridge mainland bourses with global hubs, enabling more seamless investment through specialised fund vehicles and receipts.

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Donald Trump

Trump says King Charles’ visit could ‘absolutely’ repair US-UK ties

The monarch’s landmark visit comes as the Iran war, Epstein scandal and other issues test the US-UK alliance.

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Britain’s King Charles and US President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle in September last year. Photo: Reuters
United States

Warner Bros investors back US$110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance

Attention now turns to regulatory authorities, with both Washington and London expected to examine the merger’s impact on competition.

The Philippines

How the Philippines became Japan’s closest security partner in Southeast Asia

Japan’s participation in the Balikatan drill and its new weapon export rules are set to further defence ties between the two countries.

Expeditions and adventures

2 guys, 1 Reliant Robin and a long road trip to Cape Town – what could go wrong?

22,500km, 22 countries, 1 Reliant Robin. Two friends’ intercontinental road trip was risky and rewarding. But why embark on such a journey?

Oliver Jenks and Seth Scott with Sheila, the three-wheeler. Photo: Instagram/hold.mygear
Social media

Turkey passes bill to restrict social media access for under-15s

It comes a week after a 14-year-old boy killed nine students and a teacher at a middle school in southern Turkey, in a gun attack.

Police officers in uniform and plainclothes police secure the site after a deadly school shooting, in the southeastern province of Kahramanmaras, Turkey, on April 15, 2026. Photo: via Reuters
Trending in China

‘Innate kindness’ of Chinese people moves UK granny, 74, on solo cross country trip

Netizens nationwide rally round to help sprightly grandmother who rarely uses her mobile phone fearing its battery will die.

Law

Legal Tales | Being annoying is not just an annoyance, it’s harassment under tort law

Unlike Singapore and the UK, which have unified statutes that criminalise online harassment, Hong Kong uses various laws for different contexts.

Science

Gibraltar’s monkeys may be eating soil to cope with junk food from tourists

The unusual behaviour might be helping the macaques ward off bellyaches from the snacks that visitors feed them.

Macaques play on the top of the Rock of Gibraltar in April 2008. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

‘Vindication’: ICC chamber rules case against Rodrigo Duterte to proceed

Duterte’s lawyers argue that the crimes against humanity case targeting him should not proceed as the Philippines is not an ICC member.

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Relatives of victims of ex-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drug war campaign react after watching a broadcast of the International Criminal Court at a gathering in Quezon City on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Keir Starmer

UK PM insists he won’t resign over Mandelson scandal

Starmer’s remarks in parliament came as he faced fresh calls to step down over his admitted error of judgment in appointing Mandelson.

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Singapore

UN alarmed by Singapore executions for drug-related offences

UN rights chief Turk said drug-related offences not involving loss of life did not meet the ‘most serious crimes’ standard by international law.

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US, Israel war on Iran

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

Iranian media said the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas were being escorted to Iran.

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Iranian forces boarding a container ship on Wednesday. Photo: IRIB via Reuters
Artificial intelligence

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

Given cybersecurity risks in critical software, Mythos has sparked debate about whether its capabilities should be shared with China.

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Smoking and vaping

UK agrees ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2008

UK lawmakers approve generational tobacco sales ban, setting the stage for it to become law.

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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The US Air Force’s E-4B Nightwatch plane can act as a “flying Pentagon” in the case of a national emergency. Photo: Handout
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.

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.

ONE condoms by Karex on display in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Photo: Reuters
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.

Former Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office boss Olly Robbins appears before the Foreign Affairs Committee at the Houses of Parliament in London on Tuesday. Photo: AP
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.

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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