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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
Cruise tourists on their way to visit the city of Palma in Mallorca after disembarking at the port. Photo: dpa
My Take

My Take | New entry system for non-EU residents is chipping away at Europe’s image

Making border control digital should be a natural step. But it has so far led to long queues, delays, confusion and chaos.

Argentina

Argentina again calls for UK talks on Falklands, US confirms neutrality

US, Israel war on Iran

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

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Human rights

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

Opponents of the bill have managed to hold up its passing by filing more than 1,200 amendments.

People protest for the assisted dying bill outside parliament in London on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
China-EU relations

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

A debate is swirling in Europe over what role China should play in its wind power push, as the continent confronts the Middle East energy crisis.

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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?

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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.

A Cathay Pacific Airways plane approaches Hong Kong International Airport earlier this month. Photo: Eugene Lee
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.

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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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.

An aerial view of the Paramount logo on the water tower at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images via 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.

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
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?

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.

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.

The Court of Final Appeal in Central. Photo: Jonathan Wong
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.

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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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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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer walks outside 10 Downing Street in Britain on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
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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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.

Smoking in England causes around 75,000 deaths per year. Photo: AP
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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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.

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.

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