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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 sailor raises the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force ensign on board the JS Ise helicopter destroyer as it docks in Manila last year. Photo: AFP
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?

Social media

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

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.

A 74-year-old British grandmother travelling solo in China has received warm support from online users, highlighting the kindness of the Chinese people. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
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.

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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.

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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The Claude Mythos logo is displayed on a smartphone screen in this arranged photograph. Photo: Dreamstime/TNS
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.

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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The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s campus in Sha Tin. Photo: Edmond So
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.

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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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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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Workers install solar panels in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Photo: Reuters
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.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaving 10 Downing Street for a showdown in Parliament. Photo: AP
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.

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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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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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron strike the “Kamehameha” pose from the “Dragon Ball” manga after a joint press conference at the State Guest House in Tokyo on April 1. Photo: Kyodo
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.

A man looks at an EV from a Chinese carmaker at an auto expo in Shanghai. Photo: AP
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.

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.

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